Policy HS-B.7:
The County shall require new discretionary development projects to have adequate access for fire and emergency vehicles and equipment. All major subdivisions shall have a minimum of two (2) points of ingress and egress. The County shall implement feasible recommendations in AB2911 Office of the State Fire Marshall Subdivision Survey Reports, which survey subdivisions without a secondary means of egress routes for evacuation and other fire safety factors.
Policy HS-B.8:
The County shall work with local fire protection agencies, local wildfire mitigation groups, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the U.S. Forest Service to promote the maintenance of existing fuel breaks and emergency access routes for effective fire suppression and in managing wildland fire hazards.
Policy HS-B.9:
The County shall require that community fire breaks be coordinated with overall fire break plans developed by CalFire and local foothill and mountain fire agencies for Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and State Responsibility Areas. Firebreak easements in subdivisions of more than four parcels or in built-up areas shall include access for firefighting personnel and motorized equipment. Easements shall be dedicated for this purpose.
Policy HS-B.10:
The County shall refer development proposals in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and State Responsibility Areas of the unincorporated county to the appropriate local fire agencies for review of compliance with fire safety standards. If dual responsibility exists, both agencies shall review and comment relative to their area of responsibility. If standards are different or conflicting, the more stringent standards shall apply.
Policy HS-B.11:
The County shall work with Cal Fire and local fire agencies to establish development requirements for year-round fire protection in foothill and mountain areas having existing or proposed population concentrations that need structural fire protection, and for agricultural land uses located in and bordering fire hazard zones.
Policy HS-B.12:
The County shall work to design new and modify existing County buildings of public assembly to incorporate adequate fire protection measures to reduce potential loss of life and property in accordance with State and local codes and ordinances and include consideration for filtration systems that improve air quality.
Policy HS-B.13: The County shall permit development only within areas that have adequate water resources available, to include water pressure, onsite water storage, or fire flows.
Policy HS-B14:
The County shall require new discretionary development to have water systems that meet fire flow requirements as determined by applicable California Fire Code requirements and/or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards under the authority of the Chief Fire Code Official and as referenced in County Ordinance Code. Where minimum fire flow is not available to meet these standards, alternate fire protection measures, including sprinkler systems and on-site water supply or storage, shall be identified, and may be incorporated into development if approved by the appropriate fire protection agency. The County shall require that all public water providers maintain the long-term integrity of adequate water supplies and flow to meet fire suppression needs.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy HS-B15:
The County shall ensure that any new development will have adequate fire protection, including proximity to adequate emergency services, adequate provisions for fire flow and emergency vehicle access and fire hardened communication, including high speed internet service.
Policy HS-B16: The County shall restrict or require mitigation for new discretionary development along steep slopes and amidst rugged terrain to limit rapid fire spread and increase accessibility for firefighting.
Policy HS-B17: The County shall promote installation and maintenance of smoke detectors in existing residences and commercial facilities that were constructed prior to the requirement for their installation.
Policy HS-B18: The County shall work with local fire agencies to develop high-visibility fire prevention programs, including education programs and voluntary home inspections.
Policy HS-B19:
The County shall require all new discretionary development consisting of major residential subdivisions and large commercial projects in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone and State Responsibility Areas to develop site- specific fire management plans to maintain adequate access for emergency vehicles, including two points of access for subdivisions and multifamily developments, address fuel modification and/or incorporation of open space or other defensible space areas, maintain vegetation clearance on public and private roads, and include disclosure requirements to future property owners or residents as required by state law. Require ongoing maintenance and upkeep to be incorporated or recorded as part of building covenants or homeowner covenants, conditions, and restrictions.
Policy HS-B20:
As part of the next update to the Fresno County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, the County, working with emergency service agencies, shall evaluate evacuation route capacity, safety, and viability under a range of emergency scenarios to facilitate fire, law enforcement, and ambulance access and resident egress, consistent with the existing goals and objective of the Fresno County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Policy HS-B21: The County shall collaborate with federal agencies to better manage fuel loads and hazards that could impact County owned/operated infrastructure on federally owned or managed lands.
Policy HS-B22:
The County shall make available and promote educational materials for defensible space standards, or vegetation “clear zones,” and vegetation compliance for all existing and new structures in areas that are designated by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Local Ordinance 15.60 as State Responsibility Areas or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Policy HS-B23:
The County, working with applicable fire agencies, shall make reasonable effort to minimize the risk to existing developments in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and State Responsibility Areas by educating property owners and responsible entities of the benefits of improving such developments to contemporary fire safe standards, in terms of road standards and vegetative hazard, and require all development to meet or exceed the County’s Title 15 – Building and Construction, Chapter 15.60 State Responsibility Area Fire Safe Regulations of the County under the County’s Code of Ordinances and applicable updates.
Policy HS-B24:
The County shall require all new discretionary development consisting of major residential subdivisions and large commercial projects to provide, and existing development to maintain, adequate access for emergency vehicles, including two points of access for subdivisions and multifamily developments.
Policy HS-B25:
Require development to adhere to standards that meet or exceed Title 14, CCR, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Articles 1-5 (commencing with Section 1299.01) (Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures Regulations) for State Responsibility Areas and/or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Policy HS-B26:
The County shall maintain and update its Master Emergency Services Plan, as necessary, to include an assessment of current emergency service and projected emergency service needs, and goals or standards for emergency service training for County staff and volunteers.
Policy HS-B27:
In the event of a large fire, the County shall evaluate re-development within the impacted fire zone to conform to contemporary fire safe standards and require all development to meet or exceed the County's Title 15 - Building and Construction, Chapter 15.60 State Responsibility Area Fire Safe Regulations of the County under the County's Code of Ordinances, and applicable updates.
Policy HS-B28:
The County shall coordinate with local and state fire agencies to ensure that all new developments and applicable re-constructions (as defined by state law) in the very high fire hazard severity zone and State Responsibility Areas, comply with defensible space regulations, home and street addressing and
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Goal or
Policy Description
signage, the latest fire-safe standards, Board of Forestry and Fire Protection fire safe regulations and the most current version of the California Building Code and California Fire Code.
Policy HS-B29:
Coordinate with Southern California Edison and Pacifica Gas and Electric Company to implement an electrical undergrounding plan with a focus on critical evacuation roadways and areas with highest wildfire risk.
Policy HS-B30:
The County shall, if necessary, revise the Health and Safety Element upon each revision of the Housing Element or Fresno County Multi- Hazard Mitigation Plan, but not less than once every eight years, to identify new information relating to flood and fire hazards and climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to the county.
Policy HS-B31:
The County shall work with relevant agencies such as CAL FIRE, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Caltrans, Fresno County Public Works and Planning, and private Homeowners Associations, to restrict parking periodically (e.g., on red flag days) along critical evacuation routes.
FLOOD HAZARDS
Policies in this section and in Table 69. Fresno County Flood Hazard Goals and Policies are designed to minimize flood hazards by restricting development in flood- prone areas, requiring development that does occur in floodplains to be designed to avoid flood damage, and through public education about flood hazards.
Table 69. Fresno County Flood Hazard Goals and Policies Policy or
Goal Description
Goal HS-C To minimize the risk of loss of life, injury, and damage resulting from flood hazards.
Policy HS-C.1 The County shall coordinate with the cities in Fresno County to develop and maintain a countywide flood emergency plan that is consistent with the Fresno County General Plan and city general plans.
Policy HS-C.2
The County shall prohibit new development in existing undeveloped areas (i.e., areas devoted to agriculture or open space that are not designated for development) protected by a State flood control project without appropriately considering significant known flooding risks and taking reasonable and feasible action to mitigate the potential property damage to the new development resulting from a flood.
Policy HS-C.3
The County shall not enter into a development agreement, approve any building permit or entitlement, or approve a tentative or parcel map unless it finds one of the following:
a. The flood control facilities provides 200-year level of protection in urban and non- urban areas consistent with the current Central Valley Flood Protection Plan. b. Conditions imposed on the development will protect the property at a 200-year level of protection in urban and non-urban areas consistent with the current Central Valley Flood Protection Plan; or c. The local flood management agency has made “adequate progress” on the construction of a flood protection system which will result in protection equal or greater than the 200-year flood event in urban and non-urban areas consistent with the current Central Valley Flood Protection Plan.
Policy HS-C.4
The County shall require new flood control projects or developments within areas subject to 100- and 200-year frequency floods are designed and constructed in a manner that will not cause floodwaters to be diverted onto adjacent property or increase flood hazards to property located elsewhere.
Policy HS-C.5
The County shall encourage all agencies that operate public facilities, such as wastewater treatment plants, gas, electrical, and water systems, located within areas subject to 100- and 200-year frequency floods to locate and construct facilities to minimize or eliminate potential flood damage.
Policy HS-C.6
The County shall encourage, as applicable, expansion of stormwater and flood protection infrastructure capacity to accommodate changes in precipitation and extreme weather events including the establishment or expansion of recharge basins.
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Policy or
Goal Description
Policy HS-C.7
The County shall support State and local flood management agencies to provide relocation assistance or other cost-effective strategies for reducing flood risk to existing economically- disadvantaged communities located in non- urbanized areas.
Policy HS-C.8 The County shall work with local, regional, State, and Federal agencies to maintain an adequate information base, prepare risk assessments, and identify strategies to mitigate flooding impacts.
Policy HS-C.9:
The County shall encourage the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District to control stormwater flows originating in the streams of the Fresno County Stream Group and the stormwater resulting from urban development by means of construction of dams or joint-use flood control and recharge facilities at appropriate locations.
Policy HS-C.10:
The County shall require that the design and location of dams and levees be in accordance with applicable design standards and specifications and accepted design and construction practices.
Policy HS-C.11: The County shall require that the design and location of dams and levees be in accordance with applicable design standards and specifications and accepted design and construction practices.
Policy HS-C.12:
The County shall encourage the performance of appropriate investigations to determine the 200- year water surface elevations for the San Joaquin River, considering recent storm events and existing channel conditions, to identify the potential extent and risk of flooding. New development, including public infrastructure projects, shall not be allowed along the river until the risk of flooding at the site has been determined and appropriate flood risk reduction measures identified.
Policy HS-C.13:
Where existing development is in a flood hazard area, the County shall require that construction of flood control facilities proceed only after a complete review of the environmental effects and a project cost/benefit analysis.
Policy HS-C.14:
The County shall promote flood control measures that maintain natural conditions within the 200-year floodplain of rivers and streams and, to the extent possible, combine flood control, recreation, water quality, and open space functions. Existing irrigation canals shall be used to the extent possible to remove excess stormwater. Retention-recharge basins should be located to best utilize natural drainage patterns.
Policy HS-C.15: The County shall continue to participate in the Federal Flood Insurance Program by ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.
Policy HS-C.16:
The County shall continue to implement and enforce its Floodplain Management Ordinance. During the building permit review process, the County shall ensure project compliance with applicable Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) standards pertaining to residential and non-residential development in the floodplain, floodway, or floodway fringe.
Policy HS-C.17:
The County shall prohibit the construction of essential facilities (e.g., hospitals, police and fire facilities) in the 100- and 200-year floodplains, unless it can be demonstrated that the facility can be safely operated and accessed during flood events.
Policy HS-C.18: The County shall encourage open space uses in all flood hazard areas. Land Conservation contracts and open space and scenic easements should be made available to property owners.
Policy HS-C.19: The County shall consider dam failure inundation maps of all reservoirs in making land use and related decisions.
Policy HS-C. 20: The County shall continue public awareness programs to inform the general public and potentially affected property owners of flood hazards and potential dam failure inundation.
SEISMIC AND GEOLOGICAL HAZARDS
Policies in this and in Table 70. Fresno County Seismic and Geological Hazard Goals and Policies section seek to ensure that new buildings and facilities are designed to withstand seismic and geologic hazards.
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Table 70. Fresno County Seismic and Geological Hazard Goals and Policies Policy or
Goal Description
Goal HS -D: To minimize the loss of life, injury, and property damage due to seismic and geologic hazards.
Policy HS-D.1:
The County shall continue to support scientific geologic investigations that refine, enlarge, and improve the body of knowledge on active fault zones, unstable areas, severe ground shaking, avalanche potential, and other hazardous geologic conditions in Fresno County.
Policy HS-D.2:
The County shall ensure that the General Plan and/or County Ordinance Code is revised, as necessary, to incorporate geologic hazard areas formally designated by the state geologist (e.g., earthquake fault zones and seismic hazard zones). Development in such areas, including public infrastructure projects, shall not be allowed until compliance with the investigation and mitigation requirements established by the state geologist can be demonstrated.
Policy HS-D.3:
The County shall require that a soils engineering and geologic-seismic analysis be prepared by a California-registered engineer or engineering geologist prior to permitting development, including public infrastructure projects, in areas prone to geologic or seismic hazards (i.e., fault rupture, ground shaking, lateral spreading, lurchcracking, fault creep, liquefaction, subsidence, settlement, landslides, mudslides, unstable slopes, or avalanche).
Policy HS-D.4:
The County shall require all proposed structures, additions to structures, utilities, or public facilities situated within areas subject to geologic-seismic hazards as identified in the soils engineering and geologic-seismic analysis to be sited, designed, and constructed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Building Code (Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations) and other relevant professional standards to minimize or prevent damage or loss and to minimize the risk to public safety.
Policy HS-D.5:
Pursuant to the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zoning Act (Public Resources Code, Chapter 7.5), the County shall not permit any structure for human occupancy to be placed within designated earthquake fault zones unless the specific provisions of the act and Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations have been satisfied.
Policy HS-D.6:
The County shall ensure compliance with state seismic and building standards in the evaluation, design, and siting of critical facilities, including police and fire stations, school facilities, hospitals, hazardous material manufacture and storage facilities, bridges, large public assembly halls, and other structures subject to special seismic safety design requirements.
Policy HS-D.7:
The County shall require a soils report by a California-registered engineer or engineering geologist for any proposed development, including public infrastructure projects, that requires a County permit and is located in an area containing soils with high “expansive” or “shrink-swell” properties. Development in such areas shall be prohibited unless suitable design and construction measures are incorporated to reduce the potential risks associated with these conditions.
Policy HS-D.8:
The County shall seek to minimize soil erosion by maintaining compatible land uses, suitable building designs, and appropriate construction techniques. Contour grading, where feasible, and revegetation shall be required to mitigate the appearance of engineered slopes and to control erosion.
Policy HS-D.9: The County shall require the preparation of drainage plans for development or public infrastructure projects in hillside areas to direct runoff and drainage away from unstable slopes.
Policy HS-D.10:
The County shall not approve a County permit for new development, including public infrastructure projects where slopes are over 30 percent unless it can be demonstrated by a California-registered civil engineer or engineering geologist that hazards to public safety will be reduced to acceptable levels.
Policy HS-D.11:
In known or potential landslide hazard areas, the County shall prohibit avoidable alteration of land in a manner that could increase the hazard, including concentration of water through drainage, irrigation, or septic systems, undercutting the bases of slopes, removal of vegetative cover, and steepening of slopes.
Policy HS-D.12:
The County shall not approve a County permit for new development, including public infrastructure projects, in known or potential avalanche hazard areas unless it can be demonstrated by a California- registered engineer or engineering geologist that the structures will be safe under anticipated snow loads and avalanche conditions.
Policy HS-D.13: Whenever zoning is employed to restrict the use of land subject to severe geologic hazards (e.g., landslides), the County shall designate parcels so restricted for open space uses.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Policies in this section and in Table 71. Fresno County Hazardous Materials Goals and Policies are designed to ensure that development projects minimize public risks associated with both intended and unintended exposure to hazardous materials and wastes.
Table 71. Fresno County Hazardous Materials Goals and Policies Goal or Policy Description
Goal HS-F To minimize the risk of loss of life, injury, serious illness, and damage to property resulting from the use, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes.
Policy HS-F.1:
The County shall require that facilities that handle hazardous materials or hazardous wastes be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with applicable hazardous materials and waste management laws and regulations.
Policy HS-F.2:
The County shall require that applications for discretionary development projects that will use hazardous materials or generate hazardous waste in large quantities include detailed information concerning hazardous waste reduction, recycling, and storage.
ADAPTATION AND RESILIENCY
Goals and policies in this section set climate change adaptation and resiliency standards and seek to protect life and property from the effects of climate change. This element is new and has been updated in the County’s General Plan since the 2018 plan update, described in Table 72. Fresno County Adaptation and Resiliency Goals and Policies.
Table 72. Fresno County Adaptation and Resiliency Goals and Policies Goal or Policy Description
Goal HS-G To improve the sustainability and resiliency of the County through continued efforts to reduce the causes of adapt to climate change.
Policy HS-G.1: The county shall support plans, standards, regulation, incentives, and investments to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Policy HS-G.2: The county shall monitor information from Federal, State, and regional agencies on the effects of climate change to determine if the County should implement additional adaptation strategies Policy HS-G.3
The County shall continue to collaborate with Federal, State, and regional, and local agencies, business and property owners, and residents to reduce generation of GHG and other emissions that contribute to climate change and adapt to potential effects of climate change Policy HS-G.4
The County shall support programs to provide financial assistance for the retrofitting of low-income homes (such as energy efficiency upgrades, improved insulation, renewable energy upgrades, and use of electric appliances).
AGRICULTURE AND LAND USE ELEMENT
Applicable goals and policies from the Agriculture and Land Use Element are presented below.
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RESOURCE LANDS
This section and addresses land that will remain primarily open in character. The goals, policies, and implementation programs for these topics reflect a basic commitment to preserve the existing open rural character of the County and its natural and managed resources. While necessarily protective and restrictive, the policies also recognize the need to maintain economic productivity and allow for urban growth. The intent of the policies is not to preclude intensive development but to direct it to minimize loss of valuable open space.
AGRICULTURE
Policies in this section and in Table 73. Fresno County Agricultural Goals and Policies seek to sustain agriculture by protecting agricultural activities from incompatible land uses, promoting agricultural land preservation programs, developing programs to preserve or maintain soil conditions or improve soil productivity, facilitating agricultural production by supplying adequate land for support services, and controlling expansion of nonagricultural development onto productive agricultural lands.
Table 73. Fresno County Agricultural Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal LU-A:
To promote the long-term conservation of productive and potentially- productive agricultural lands and to accommodate agricultural-support services and agriculturally- related activities that support the viability of agriculture and further the County’s economic development goals.
Policy LU-A.13: The County shall protect agricultural operations from conflicts with nonagricultural uses by requiring buffers between proposed non-agricultural uses and adjacent agricultural operations.
Policy LU-A.14: The County shall ensure that the review of discretionary permits includes an assessment of the conversion of productive agricultural land and that mitigation be required where appropriate.
Policy LU-A.20: The County shall adopt and support policies and programs that seek to protect and enhance surface water and groundwater resources critical to agriculture.
Policy LU-A.22 The County shall adopt and support policies and programs that seek to minimize the impact of reoccurring drought conditions on ground water supply and the agricultural industry.
WESTSIDE RANGELANDS
Policies in this section and in Table 74. Fresno County Rangelands Goals and Policies seek to preserve rangelands by maintaining their open space character, minimizing grading and erosion, maintaining grazing and agricultural operations, accommodating mineral resource recovery, and protecting biological resources from development.
Table 74. Fresno County Rangelands Goals and Policies
Goal or
Policy Description
Goal LU-B:
To preserve the unique character of the Westside Rangelands, which includes distinctive geologic and topographic landforms, watersheds, important agricultural activities, and significant biological resources, while accommodating agriculture, grazing, recreation, resource recovery, and other limited uses that recognize the sensitive character of the area.
Policy LU-B.12: The County shall require a preliminary soils report for discretionary development projects when the project site is subject to moderate or high-risk landslide potential and has slopes in excess of 15
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Goal or
Policy Description
percent. If the preliminary soil report indicates soil conditions could be unstable, a detailed geologic report by a registered geologist and registered civil engineer, or a registered engineering geologist, shall be required indicating the suitability of any proposed or additional development.
RIVER INFLUENCE AREAS
Policies in this section and in Table 75. Fresno County River Influence Areas Goals and Policies seek to preserve and enhance the County’s River influence areas by avoiding adverse impacts from development and encouraging environmentally friendly recreational and agricultural activities.
Table 75. Fresno County River Influence Areas Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal LU-C:
To preserve and enhance the value of the river environment as a multiple use, open space resource; maintain the environmental and aesthetic qualities of the area; protect the quality and quantity of the surface and groundwater resources; provide for long term preservation of productive agricultural land; conserve and enhance natural wildlife habitat; and maintain the flood-carrying capacity of the channel at a level equal to the 1 percent flood event (100-year flood).
Policy LU-C.7:
Fresno County shall take into consideration the presence of the regulatory floodway or other designated floodway, the FEMA-designated 100-year floodplain, estimated 250-year floodplain, the Standard Project Flood, and the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) Riverine Floodplain Policy in determining the location of future development within the San Joaquin River Parkway area. Any development sited in a designated 100-year floodplain shall comply with regulatory requirements at a minimum and with the FMFCD Riverine Floodplain Policy criteria, or requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction, where applicable.
RURAL DEVELOPMENT
This section guides development in areas designated Rural Residential, Rural Settlement Area, and Planned Rural Community. The policies provide for the continued development of areas within these designations in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts and public infrastructure investments, but generally limits expansion of these designations.
NONAGRICULTURAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Policies in this section and in Table 76. Fresno County Non-Agricultural Rural Development Goals and Policies provide for appropriate development in rural areas by directing development away from productive and potentially productive agricultural areas, limiting expansion of existing designated rural residential areas, and minimizing the environmental and service impacts of continued development within areas already designated for rural development.
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Table 76. Fresno County Non-Agricultural Rural Development Goals Goal or
Policy Description
Goal LU-E:
To provide for the continued development of areas already designated for rural-residential development in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts and public infrastructure and service costs while restricting designation of new areas for such development.
Policy LU-E.1:
The County shall allow by right in areas designated Rural Residential single-family dwellings and limited agricultural uses related to the production of food and fiber. The County may allow by discretionary permit certain other agricultural uses and non-agricultural uses, including rural commercial centers. For proposed rural commercial centers, the following criteria shall apply:
a. Commercial uses should be clustered in centers instead of single uses. b. The use shall provide a needed service to the surrounding rural residential community which cannot be provided more efficiently within urban centers.
c. To minimize proliferation of commercial centers and overlapping of trade areas, commercial centers shall be located a minimum of two (2) miles from a city sphere of influence. d. New commercial uses should be located within or adjacent to existing centers. e. Commercial centers should not encompass more than one-quarter (1/4) mile of road frontage, or one-eighth (1/8) mile if both sides of the road are involved, and should not provide potential for development exceeding ten (10) separate business activities, exclusive of caretakers' residences. f. The center shall be a minimum of four (4) miles from any agricultural commercial center, or designated rural settlement area, or the nearest existing or designated commercial area, or newly established rural residential commercial centers.
g. The center should be located at the corner of an intersection where at least one of the roads is classified as an arterial road on the Transportation and Circulation Element of the General Plan. h. Distance from other existing commercial zoning and uses should be considered when siting commercial centers.
Policy LU-E.2:
The County shall permit the Rural Commercial (RCC) zone district to remain in areas designated Rural Residential if the land was so zoned prior to September 20, 1990. Commercial uses legally established prior to that date shall be deemed conforming, but expansion or addition of new commercial uses shall require a discretionary permit subject to the criteria in Policy LU-E.1.
Policy LU-E.3:
The County shall maintain two (2) acres as the minimum permitted lot size, exclusive of all road and canal rights-of-way, recreation easements, permanent water bodies, intermittent stream easements, and public or quasi-public common use areas, except as provided for in policies LU-E.6 and LU-E.7.
Policy LU-E.4: The County shall recognize legal lots of less than two (2) acres that existed under separate ownership at the time of zone adoption within the rural residential zone districts.
Policy LU-E.5:
The County may allow planned residential developments in areas designated Rural Residential subject to Policies LU-H.6 and LU- H.7b (for developments permitted under Policy LU-E.7), and Policies LU- H.7e through LU- H7k.
Policy LU-E.6:
The County shall allow planned residential developments in areas that are currently designated for rural residential development subject to the following conditions:
a. The minimum lot area shall be two (2) acres.
b. The buildable portion of the lot shall be a minimum of thirty-six thousand (36,000) square feet. c. Dwellings shall be limited to single family structures. d. The ratio of lot depth to width shall not exceed four (4) to one (1). e. Individual wells and septic systems, or community water and sewer systems may be used. f. The size and configuration of the buildable portion of the lot shall be based on sufficient geological and hydrological investigations.
g. Common open space areas that provide a portion of the two-acre lot should not include road and canal rights-of-way, reservations, permanent water bodies, intermittent stream easements, and common use areas that are occupied by buildings, streets, maintenance sheds, tennis courts, parking lots, and similar uses that are not of an open character. h. Common open space areas that provide a portion of the two-acre lot shall be vested in fee title ownership to each individual property owner, but may be used for common use purposes.
Policy LU-E.7: In existing Rural Residential Areas, the County may allow, by a Conditional Use Permit, planned residential developments of at least one hundred (100) acres that incorporates drought- tolerant open
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Policy Description
space (active and passive) where the minimum lot size is thirty-six thousand (36,000) square feet and the overall project density is one (1) dwelling unit per two (2) acres. The following standards shall apply:
a. Community water and sewer systems may be used.
b. Drought-tolerant open space (active and passive) may be included in the calculation of the required one (1) unit per two (2) acre density.
c. Drought-tolerant open space (active and passive) shall be considered as common area and maintained through means acceptable to the County. The lake(s) or pond(s) shall be permanently filled with water, except for periods when surface water is not available, or maintenance requires temporary drainage.
d. Drought-tolerant open space (active and passive) shall constitute a minimum of twenty- five (25) percent of the open space of the project.
e. Common open space areas that provide a portion of the two- (2) acre density shall be designated as open space and zoned to the Open Conservation (O) District. f. Use of a permanent water body shall only be approved consistent with the water policies of this plan.
Policy LU-E.8:
The County shall not allow further parcelization of uncommitted (designated) Rural Residential areas lying northeast of the Enterprise Canal due to potential groundwater supply problems. These areas shall be zoned to a Limited Agricultural Zone District. However, rezoning and development for Rural Residential use may be permitted subject to the following criteria:
a. The parcel to be developed is not productive agricultural land, and agricultural use of the property is not feasible.
b. The County shall make a determination of the availability of an adequate water supply to serve the proposed development. If surface water is proposed, it must come from a reliable source and the supply must be made "firm" by water banking or other suitable arrangement. If groundwater is proposed, a "hydrogeologic investigation" or other information acceptable to the County shall be required to confirm the availability of groundwater in amounts necessary to meet project demand. c. The County shall make a determination of the impact that the use of the proposed water supply will have on other water users in Fresno County. If use of surface water is proposed, its use must not have a significant impact on agriculture or other water users within Fresno County. If use of groundwater is proposed, a hydrogeologic investigation shall be required. Should the hydrogeologic investigation determine that significant pumping-related impacts will extend beyond the boundary of the property in question, those impacts shall be mitigated.
d. The County shall make a determination that the proposed water supply is sustainable or that there is an acceptable plan to achieve sustainability. The plan must be structured such that it is economically, environmentally, and technically feasible. In addition, its implementation must occur prior to long-term and/or irreversible physical impacts, or significant economic hardship, to surrounding water users.
Policy LU-E.9: The County shall limit development of the thirty (30)-acre Friant Rural Residential area to twelve (12) housing units.
Policy LU-E.10:
The County shall require new subdivisions within areas designated Rural Residential be designed to use individual on-site sewer and water systems. All proposals shall be reviewed by the County to determine the appropriate minimum lot size based on local hydro- geological conditions. Community systems and lots less than two (2) acres may be permitted only in conjunction with a Planned Residential Development pursuant to Policy LU-E.7; where consistent with the policies of the Sierra- North and Sierra-South Regional Plans; or where a graduated transition of density is needed to protect existing rural residential developments from land use conflicts at the interface with urban development on land outside and adjacent to the sphere-of-influence of a city.
Policy LU-E.11:
The County shall require subdividers of rural residential lots to install, provide, or participate in an effective means for utilization of available surface water entitlements for the area included in the subdivision, such as:
a. Facilities to deliver surface water to each parcel;
b. To develop a single recharge basin for the entire development (with necessary arrangements for its operation and maintenance); or
c. To participate in the activities of a public agency to recharge the available supplies for the beneficial use of the properties within the development and the FCMA. The division shall not render inoperative any existing canal.
Policy LU-E.12: The County shall ensure through discretionary permit approvals and other development regulations that development within areas designated Rural Residential does not encroach upon natural water channels
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Goal or
Policy Description
or restrict natural water channels in such a way as to increase potential flooding damage. Land divisions shall not render inoperative any existing channel.
Policy LU-E.13:
The Special Commercial designation comprising approximately 150 acres on the south side of Shaw Avenue at the Indianola alignment recognizes an existing recreational facility and provides for consideration of potential future expansion of the facility and the development of additional compatible commercial recreational uses. Application of consistent zoning, which may include conditional zoning, and approval of any subsequent discretionary permit(s) shall include a finding that expansion of the facility will be compatible with the surrounding land uses.
Policy LU-E.14: The County shall not designate additional land for Rural Residential or Foothill Rural Residential development, except for unique circumstances to be determined by the Board of Supervisors.
Policy LU-E.15:
Except as provided in this section, development within areas designated Foothill Rural Residential shall comply with the policies and standards of the Sierra-North Regional Plan and the Sierra-South Regional Plan.
Policy LU-E.16:
The County shall apply the Rural Settlement Area designation only to those areas where a small concentration of housing and commercial or industrial uses serves the surrounding agricultural area.
The following locations are designated as Rural Settlements: Bowles, Centerville, Monmouth, and Cantua Creek.
Policy LU-E.17:
The County shall allow by right in areas designated Rural Settlement Area, single-family dwellings and limited agricultural uses related to the production of food and fiber. The County may allow by discretionary permit non- agricultural uses that provide a needed service to the surrounding rural area.
Other uses consistent with the intent and purpose of these rural settlement policies may be added by amendment of the Rural Settlement Area zone district.
Policy LU-E.18:
The County may approve land divisions in areas designated Rural Settlement Area when the following criteria are met:
a. The minimum net lot size shall be two (2) acres, except as allowed by LU-E.23c below. b. The ratio of lot depth width shall not exceed four (4) to one (1). c. A minimum of thirty-six thousand (36,000) square feet per lot shall be permitted if community water facilities are available and soils are suitable for individual septic systems.
Policy LU-E.19:
The County may allow expansion of existing Rural Settlement Areas to include vacant parcels, parcels wholly or partially committed to existing industrial uses, or parcels currently devoted to agricultural use if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
a. The parcel is less than eighty (80) acres in area;
b. The parcel is contiguous to properties in the Rural Settlement Area; the Rural Settlement Area;
c. Productive agricultural use of the parcel is not economically feasible because incompatible non- agricultural uses on contiguous properties severely restrict normal agricultural practices; and d. The parcel is needed for the expansion of an existing use within the Rural Settlement Area or to establish an essential service for the Settlement and/or the surrounding agricultural area.
Policy LU-E.20:
The County shall require that the development of new commercial uses in Rural Settlement Areas be guided by the following criteria:
a. The total number of existing and proposed commercial uses should not exceed fifteen (15), exclusive of caretakers’ residence. b. The development should be designed to be compatible with existing uses on adjacent properties.
c. The location of the proposed development shall satisfy one of the following conditions:
d. The development should be on a major street or an intersection. e. The development should front on a road with existing commercial activity and should be within six hundred and sixty (660) feet of the nearest commercial use. f. Building height should not exceed the height of adjacent structures. g. Off-street parking should be sufficient for the proposed use.
Policy LU-E.21:
The County shall require that industrial zone districts within the Monmouth Rural Settlement Area be consistent with the following criteria:
a. Parcels shall be wholly or partially committed to existing industrial uses; and b. Industrial zoning shall be conditioned to permit only agriculturally related industry.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy LU-E.22:
The County shall allow development within the designated Quail Lakes Planned Rural Community to proceed in accordance with the Specific Plan adopted at the time the designation was granted by the County. The County may grant amendments to the Specific Plan provided the overall density of development is not increased and the plan continues to demonstrate the following:
a. The development will have no significant adverse impacts on groundwater; b. Public improvements within a Planned Rural Community shall be designed and constructed in a manner that is not growth inducing but would not preclude future annexation to a city; c. Impacts on Fresno County for the provision of services including, but not limited to, police, fire protection, schools, and other essential public services are adequately mitigated; d. The development will not have a net adverse fiscal effect on Fresno County; e. Provide a service delivery plan and a maintenance and operation program which will assure appropriate delivery of services and funding measures for the development; and f. Provide for monitoring of mitigation measures established by the required Environmental Impact Report.
Policy LU-E.23: The County shall not approve expansion of the existing Planned Rural Community designation or designate additional areas for such development.
Policy LU-E.24:
The Rural Residential designation comprising an approximate 481-acre area generally bounded by Friant Road/Willow Avenue to the west, Garonne Avenue to the south, those parcels immediately east and adjacent to Auberry Road to the east and generally the Birkhead Road alignment to the north and encompassing those parcels immediately to the west, northeast, and east of the full length of Willow Bluff Avenue. This is an area committed to rural-sized parcels. The Limited Agricultural zoning reflects potential water resource constraints in the general vicinity. Future rezoning of this area to the implementing Rural Residential zoning district shall maintain a minimum five-acre parcel size and shall be subject to a determination of adequate water supply per Agriculture and Land Use Policy LU-E.8, and adequate road access and road maintenance as determined by the Director of the Department of Public Works and Planning
PUBLIC FACILITIES AND SERVICES ELEMENT
Applicable goals and policies from the Public Facilities and Services Element are presented below.
WATER SUPPLY AND DELIVERY
Policies in this section and in Table 77. Fresno County Water Supply and Delivery Goals and Policies seek to ensure an adequate water supply for both domestic and agricultural users by providing necessary facility improvements, ensuring water availability, and utilizing water conservation measures.
Table 77. Fresno County Water Supply and Delivery Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal PF-C: To ensure the availability of an adequate and safe water supply for domestic and agricultural consumption.
Policy PF-C.1: The County shall engage in and support the efforts of others within Fresno County to retain existing water supplies and develop new water supplies.
Policy PF-C.2: The County shall actively engage in efforts and support the efforts of others to import flood, surplus, and other available waters for use in Fresno County.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy PF-C.3: To reduce demand on the County’s groundwater resources, the County shall encourage the use of surface water to the maximum extent feasible.
Policy PF-C.4: The County shall support efforts to expand groundwater and/or surface water storage that benefits Fresno County.
Policy PF-C.5: The County shall support water banking when the program has local sponsorship and involvement and provides new benefits to the County.
Policy PF-C.6:
The County shall recommend to all cities and urban areas within the County that they adopt the most cost-effective urban best management practices published and updated by the California Urban Water Agencies, California Department of Water Resources, or other appropriate agencies as a means of meeting some of the future water supply needs.
Policy PF-C.7: The County shall require preparation of water master plans for areas undergoing urban growth.
Policy PF-C.8: The County shall work with local irrigation districts to preserve local water rights and supply.
Policy PF-
C.10:
The County shall actively participate in the development and implementation of Sustainable Groundwater Management Plans to ensure an on-going water supply to help sustain agriculture and accommodate future growth.
Policy PF-
C.11:
The County shall approve new development only if an adequate sustainable water supply to serve such development is demonstrated.
Policy PF-
C.12:
In those areas identified as having severe groundwater level declines or limited groundwater availability, the County shall limit development to uses that do not have high water usage or that can be served by a surface water supply.
Policy PF-
C.13:
The County shall require that water supplies serving new development meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Department of Public Health and other water quality standards.
Policy PF-
C.15:
If the cumulative effects of more intensive land use proposals are detrimental to the water supplies of surrounding areas, the County shall require approval of the project to be dependent upon adequate mitigation. The County shall require that costs of mitigating such adverse impacts to water supplies be borne proportionately by all parties to the proposal.
Policy PF-
C.16:
The County shall, prior to consideration of any discretionary project related to land use, undertake a water supply evaluation.
Policy PF-
C.17:
In the case of lands entitled to surface water, the County shall approve only land use-related projects that provide for or participate in effective use of the surface water entitlement.
Policy PF-
C.21:
The County shall promote the use of surface water for agricultural use to reduce groundwater table reductions.
Policy PF-
C.23:
The County shall require that all new development within the county use water conservation technologies, methods, and practices as established by the County.
Policy PF-
C.24:
The County shall encourage the use of reclaimed water where economically, environmentally, and technically feasible.
Policy PF -
C.25
The County shall require that all new development within the county use water conservation technologies, methods, and practices as established by the County.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy PF-
C.24:
The County shall encourage the use of reclaimed water where economically, environmentally, and technically feasible.
Policy PF-
C.25:
The County shall participate in integrated Regional Water Management Planning efforts with other local and regional water stakeholders to plan for the efficient use, enhancement, and management of surface and groundwater supplies.
Policy PF-
C.29:
The County shall encourage agricultural water conservation where economically, environmentally, and technically feasible.
Policy PF -
C.28
The County shall participate in integrated Regional Water Management Planning efforts with other local and regional water stakeholders to plan for the efficient use, enhancement, and management of surface and groundwater supplies.
Policy PF-
C.29:
The County shall encourage agricultural water conservation where economically, environmentally, and technically feasible.
STORM DRAINAGE AND FLOOD CONTROL
Policies in this section and in Table 78. Fresno County Storm Drainage and Flood Control Goals and Policies seek to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally sound means to drain, divert and retain stormwater and provide flood control by providing necessary facility improvements, ensuring adequate funding, providing a means to detain/retain runoff, and ensuring the facilities meet state environmental regulations. This includes retention strategies that could lessen the county’s vulnerability to drought and wildfire.
Table 78. Fresno County Storm Drainage and Flood Control Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal PF-E:
To provide efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound storm drainage and flood control facilities that protect both life and property and to divert and retain stormwater runoff for groundwater replenishment.
Policy PF-E.1:
The County shall coordinate with the agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to assure that construction and acquisition of flood control and drainage facilities are adequate for future urban growth authorized by the County General Plan and city general plans.
Policy PF-E.2: The County shall encourage the agencies responsible for flood control of storm drainage to coordinate the multiple use of flood control and drainage facilities with other public agencies.
Policy PF-E.3:
The County shall encourage the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District to spread the cost of construction and acquisition of flood control and drainage facilities in the most equitable manner consistent with the growth and needs of this area.
Policy PF-E.4:
The County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to require that storm drainage systems be developed and expanded to meet the needs of existing and planned development.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy PF-E.5:
The County shall only approve land use-related projects that will not render inoperative any existing canal, encroach upon natural channels, and/or restrict natural channels in such a way as to increase potential flooding damage.
Policy PF-E.6:
The County shall require that drainage facilities be installed concurrently with and as a condition of development activity to ensure the protection of the new improvements as well as existing development that might exist within the watershed.
Policy PF-E.7: The County shall require new development to pay its fair share of the costs of Fresno County storm drainage and flood control improvements within unincorporated areas.
Policy PF-E.8:
The County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to precisely locate drainage facilities well in advance of anticipated construction, thereby facilitating timely installation and encouraging multiple construction projects to be combined, reducing the incidence of disruption of existing facilities.
Policy PF-E.9: The County shall require new development to provide protection from the 100-year flood as a minimum.
Policy PF-E.10:
In growth areas within the jurisdiction of a local agency responsible for flood control or storm drainage, the County shall encourage that agency to design drainage facilities as if the entire areas of service were developed to the pattern reflected in the adopted general plans to assure that the facilities will be adequate as the land use intensifies.
Policy PF-E.11: The County shall encourage project designs that minimize drainage concentrations and maintain, to the extent feasible, natural site drainage patterns.
Policy PF-E.12:
The County shall coordinate with the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to ensure that future drainage system discharges comply with applicable State and Federal pollutant discharge requirements.
Policy PF-E.13: The County shall encourage the use of natural stormwater drainage systems to preserve and enhance natural drainage features.
Policy PF-E.14: The County shall encourage the use of retention-recharge basins for the conservation of water and the recharging of the groundwater supply.
Policy PF-E.15:
The County should require that retention-recharge basins be suitably landscaped to complement adjacent areas and should, wherever possible, be made available to the community to augment open space and recreation needs.
Policy PF-E.16:
The County shall minimize sedimentation and erosion through control of grading, cutting of trees, removal of vegetation, placement of roads and bridges, and use of off-road vehicles. The County shall discourage grading activities during the rainy season, unless adequately mitigated, to avoid sedimentation of creeks and damage to riparian habitat.
Policy PF-E.17:
The County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage retention-recharge basins located in soil strata strongly conducive to groundwater recharge to develop and operate those basins in such a way as to facilitate year-round groundwater recharge.
Policy PF-E.18:
The County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to plan retention-recharge basins on the principle that the minimum number will be the most economical to acquire, develop, operate, and maintain.
Policy PF-E.19: In areas where urbanization or drainage conditions preclude the acquisition and use of retention- recharge basins, the County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or
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Goal or
Policy Description
stormwater drainage to discharge storm or drainage water into major canals and other natural water courses subject to established conditions.
Policy PF-E.20:
The County shall require new development of facilities near rivers, creeks, reservoirs, or substantial aquifer recharge areas to mitigate any potential impacts of release of pollutants in floodwaters, flowing rivers, streams, creeks, or reservoir waters.
Policy PF-E.21:
The County shall require the use of feasible and practical best management practices (BMPs) to protect streams from the adverse effects of construction activities and shall encourage the urban storm drainage systems and agricultural activities to use BMPs.
Policy PF-E.22:
The County shall encourage the local agencies responsible for flood control or storm drainage to control obnoxious odors or mosquito breeding conditions connected with any agency facility by appropriate measures.
FIRE PROTECTION AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Policies in this section and in Table 79. Fresno County Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Service Goals and Policies seek to ensure the prompt and efficient provision of fire and emergency medical facility and service needs, ensure adequate funding is available in new development areas, and protect the life and property of residents of and visitors to Fresno County.
Table 79. Fresno County Fire Protection and Emergency Medical Service Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal PF-H:
To ensure the prompt and efficient provision of fire and emergency medical facility and service needs, to protect residents of and visitors to Fresno County from injury and loss of life, and to protect property from fire.
Policy PF-H.1: The County shall work cooperatively with local fire protection districts to ensure the provision of effective fire and emergency medical services to unincorporated areas within the County.
Policy PF-H.2:
Prior to the approval of a development project, the County shall determine the need for fire protection services. New development in unincorporated areas of the county shall not be approved until such time that fire protection facilities and services acceptable to the Public Works and Planning Director in consultation with the appropriate fire district are provided.
Policy PF-H.3: The County shall require that new fire stations be located to achieve and maintain a service level capability consistent with services for existing land uses.
Policy PF-H.4: The County shall reserve adequate sites for fire and emergency medical facilities in unincorporated locations in the County.
Policy PF-H.5: The County shall require that new development be designed to maximize safety and minimize fire hazard risks to life and property.
Policy PF-H.6: The County shall limit development to very low densities in areas where emergency response times will be more than 20 minutes.
Policy PF-H.7:
The County shall encourage local fire protection agencies in the County to maintain the following as minimum fire protection standards (expressed as Insurance Service Organization (ISO) ratings):
ISO 4 in urban areas;
ISO 6 in suburban areas; and
ISO 8 in rural areas.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy PF-H.10:
The County shall ensure that all proposed developments are reviewed for compliance with fire safety standards by responsible local fire agencies per the California Fire Code and other State and local ordinances.
OPEN SPACE AND CONSERVATION ELEMENT
The Open Space and Conservation Element is concerned with protecting and preserving natural resources, preserving open space areas, managing the production of commodity resources, protecting and enhancing cultural resources, and providing recreational opportunities. Applicable goals and policies are presented below.
PRODUCTIVE RESOURCES
WATER RESOURCES
Policies in this section and in Table 80. Fresno County Water Resources Goals and Policies seek to protect and enhance the surface water and groundwater resources in the County. The policies address broad water planning issues, groundwater recharge, the relationship of land use decisions to water issues, and water quality problems.
Table 80. Fresno County Water Resources Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal OS-A: To protect and enhance the water quality and quantity in Fresno County’s streams, creeks, and groundwater basins.
Policy OS-A.1:
The County shall provide active leadership in the regional coordination of water resource management efforts affecting Fresno County and shall continue to monitor and participate in, as appropriate, regional activities affecting water resources, groundwater, and water quality.
Policy OS-A.2: The County shall provide active leadership in efforts to protect, enhance, monitor, and manage groundwater resources within its boundaries.
Policy OS-A.3 The County shall support efforts to create additional storage that benefits Fresno County, and is economically, environmentally, and technically feasible.
Policy OS-A.4: The County shall support public education programs designed to increase public participation in water conservation and water quality awareness.
Policy OS-A.5: The County shall permit and encourage, where economically, environmentally, and technically feasible, overirrigation of surface water as a means to maximize groundwater recharge.
Policy OS-A.6 The County shall ensure that new development does not limit the capacity or function of groundwater recharge areas.
Policy OS-A.7 The County shall direct, to the extent feasible, its available water resources to groundwater recharge areas.
Policy OS-A.8 The County should, in cooperation with respective groundwater sustainability agencies, develop and maintain an inventory of sites within the County that are suitable for groundwater recharge.
Policy OS-A.9: The County shall support and/or engage in water banking (i.e., recharge and subsequent extraction for direct and/or indirect use on lands away from the recharge area) based on criteria.
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Goal or
Policy Description
Policy OS-A.14:
The County shall require the protection of floodplain lands and, where appropriate, acquire public easements for purposes of flood protection, public safety, wildlife preservation, groundwater recharge, access, and recreation.
Policy OS-A.15: The County shall support the policies of the San Joaquin River Parkway Master Plan to protect the San Joaquin River as an aquatic habitat, recreational amenity, aesthetic resource, and water source.
NATURAL RESOURCES
WETLAND AND RIPARIAN AREAS
Policies in this section and in Table 81. Fresno County Wetland and Riparian Areas Goals and Policies seek to protect riparian and wetland habitats in the County while allowing compatible uses where appropriate.
Table 81. Fresno County Wetland and Riparian Areas Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal OS-D:
To conserve the function and values of wetland communities and related riparian areas throughout Fresno County while allowing compatible uses where appropriate. Protection of these resource functions will positively affect aesthetics, water quality, floodplain management, ecological function, and recreation/tourism.
Policy OS-D.1:
The County shall support the “no-net-loss” wetlands policies of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Game. Coordination with these agencies at all levels of project review shall continue to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures and the concerns of these agencies are adequately addressed.
Policy OS-D.2:
The County shall require new development to fully mitigate wetland loss for function and value in regulated wetlands to achieve "no-net-loss" through any combination of avoidance, minimization, or compensation. The County shall support mitigation banking programs that provide the opportunity to mitigate impacts to rare, threatened, and endangered species and/or the habitat that supports these species in wetland and riparian areas.
Policy OS-D.3:
The County shall require development to be designed in such a manner that pollutants and siltation do not significantly degrade the area, value, or function of wetlands. The County shall require new developments to implement the use of best management practices to aid in this effort.
Policy OS-D.7: The County shall support the management of wetland and riparian plant communities for passive recreation, groundwater recharge, nutrient storage, and wildlife habitats.
VEGETATION
Policies in this section and in Table 82. Fresno County Vegetarian Goals and Policies seek to protect native vegetation resources primarily on private land within the County.
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Table 82. Fresno County Vegetarian Goals and Policies
Goal or
Policy Description
Goal OS-F: To preserve and protect the valuable vegetation resources of Fresno County.
Policy OS-F.1:
The County shall encourage landowners and developers to preserve the integrity of existing terrain and natural vegetation in visually-sensitive areas such as hillsides and ridges, and along important transportation corridors, consistent with fire hazard and property line clearing requirements.
Policy OS-F.2:
The County shall require developers to use native and compatible nonnative plant species, especially drought-resistant species, to the extent possible, in fulfilling landscaping requirements imposed as conditions of discretionary permit approval or for project mitigation.
Policy OS-F.6: The County shall require that development on hillsides be limited to maintain valuable natural vegetation, especially forests and open grasslands, and to control erosion.
Policy OS-F.7: The County shall require developers to take into account a site's natural topography with respect to the design and siting of all physical improvements in order to minimize grading.
Policy OS-F.9:
The County shall support the continued use of prescribed burning to mimic the effects of natural fires to reduce fuel volumes and associated fire hazards to human residents and to enhance the health of biotic communities.
RECREATION AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
PARKS AND RECREATION
Policies in this section and in Table 83. Fresno County Parks and Recreation Goals and Policies seek to enhance recreational opportunities in the County by encouraging the further development of public and private recreation lands and requiring development to help fund additional parks and recreation facilities.
Table 83. Fresno County Parks and Recreation Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal OS-H:
To designate land for and promote the development and expansion of public and private recreational facilities to serve the needs of residents and visitors.
Policy OS-H.10: The County shall support the policies of the San Joaquin River Parkway Master Plan to protect the San Joaquin River as an aquatic habitat, recreational amenity, aesthetic resource, and water source.
Policy OS-H.12:
The County shall require that structures and amenities associated with the San Joaquin River Parkway be designed and sited to ensure that such features do not obstruct flood flows, do not create a public safety hazard, or result in a substantial increase in off-site water surface elevations, and that they conform to the requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction. For permanent structures, such as bridge overcrossings, the minimum level of flood design protection shall be the greater of the Standard Project Flood (which is roughly equivalent to a 250-year event) or the riverine requirements of other agencies having jurisdiction to ensure flood flows are not dammed and to prevent flooding on surrounding properties.
HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND GEOLOGICAL RESOURCES
Policies in this section and in Table 84. Fresno County Historical, Cultural, and Geological Resources Goals and Policies seek to preserve the historic, archeological, paleontological, geological, and cultural resources of the County through development review, acquisition, encouragement of easements, coordination with other agencies and groups, and other methods.
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Table 84. Fresno County Historical, Cultural, and Geological Resources Goals and Policies Goal or
Policy Description
Goal OS-J: To identify, protect, and enhance Fresno County’s important historical, archeological, paleontological, geological, and cultural sites and their contributing environment.
OS-J.1
The County shall encourage preservation of any sites and/or buildings identified as having historical significance pursuant to the list maintained by the Fresno County Historic Landmarks and Records Advisory Commission.
OS-J.2 The County shall consider historic resources during preparation or evaluation of plans and discretionary development projects.
OS-J.3
Whenever a historical resource is known to exist on a proposed project site, the County (i.e., Fresno County Historic Landmarks and Records Advisory Commission) shall evaluate and make recommendations to minimize potential impacts to said resource.
Policy OS-J.4:
The County shall require that discretionary development projects, as part of any required CEQA review, identify and protect important historical, archeological, paleontological, and cultural sites and their contributing environment from damage, destruction, and abuse to the maximum extent feasible. Project- level mitigation shall include accurate site surveys, consideration of project alternatives to preserve archeological and historic resources, and provision for resource recovery and preservation when displacement is unavoidable.
FRESNO COUNTY ORDINANCES
The Fresno County General Plan provides policy direction for land use, development, open space protection, and environmental quality, but this policy direction must be carried out through numerous ordinances, programs, and agreements. The following ordinances are among the most important tools for implementing the general plan and/or are critical to the mitigation of hazards identified in this plan.
EMERGENCY ORGANIZATION (TITLE 2, CHAPTER 2.44)
The declared purposes of this chapter are to provide for the preparation and carrying out of plans for the protection of persons 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 all other public agencies, corporations, organizations, and affected private persons.
FRESNO-KINGS-MADERA REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY (TITLE 8, CHAPTER 8.75) This health authority is a three-county regional health authority representing Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties. The health authority shall design and operate a program or programs that:
1. Delivers primary care via a contracted provider network which significantly improves access to primary care and related specialty and ancillary services for enrolled Medi-Cal recipients.
2. Includes mechanisms for assuring that health authority financed medical care services meet appropriate quality of care standards.
3. Incorporates a plan of service delivery and implements reimbursement mechanisms which will promote the long-term viability of a locally operated Medi-Cal managed care system and participating "safety net" providers herein defined as Medi-Cal disproportionate share hospitals, county clinics, and licensed community and rural clinics.
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4. Implements a financial plan which includes the creation of a prudent reserve within three years of commencing operations and which provides that if additional surplus funds accrue, they shall be used to expand access, improve benefits, and augment provider reimbursement.
5. Gives a high priority to increasing prevention, education, and early intervention services for enrolled recipients.
6. Ensures that all statutory, contractual, or other program obligations shall be the obligations solely of the health authority and shall not be the obligations of Fresno County, Kings County, Madera County, or the State.
7. Implements programs and procedures to ensure that a high level of member satisfaction is maintained. The health authority shall also be authorized to contract with public insurers, payors, or plan sponsors to offer and/or administer their health care programs and to contract with private insurers or plan sponsors to administer their health care programs. The purpose of the health authority is to negotiate a contract with the California Department of Health Care Services and to provide a "Medi-Cal Managed Care Program" (the "program") and to arrange for the provision of health care services to qualifying individuals under such program in Fresno County, Kings County, and Madera County pursuant to Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 14000) of Part 3 of Division 9 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT (TITLE 14, CHAPTER 14.03)
This chapter protects the County’s important groundwater resources by requiring a permit from the County to extract, on a long-term basis, groundwater for transfer outside the County, including groundwater extracted to replace a surface water supply that has been, is being, or will be transferred for long-term use outside of Fresno County. This chapter is limited to requiring a permit for the long- term direct or indirect transfer of groundwater outside the County and is not intended to regulate groundwater in any other way.
BUILDING CODE (TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.08)
This chapter adopts the 2022 California Building Code, including the Appendices as referenced in the 2022 California Building Code Standards and the Uniform International Building Code Standards is adopted by reference.
FIRE CODE (TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.10)
This chapter adopts the 2022 California Fire Code as referenced in the 2022 California Building/Residential Code, is adopted by reference.
GRADING AND EXCAVATION (TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.28)
This chapter establishes that Chapter 18, Chapter 33, Chapter 33, and Appendix J of the 2022 California Building Code and Chapter 4, Division 4.1 of the California Green Building Standards Code are adopted by reference and except as herein otherwise provided are applicable to and shall cover all grading and excavation within the unincorporated area of the County of Fresno.
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FLOOD HAZARD AREAS (TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.48)
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:
▪ 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.
This chapter includes methods and provisions to:
▪ Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities ▪ Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction ▪ Control the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters
▪ Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development that may increase flood damage ▪ Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers that will unnaturally divert floodwaters or that may increase flood hazards in other areas
Requirements of this chapter apply to all new developments, substantial improvements, minor improvements, and conversions of existing nonresidential structures to residential uses within flood hazard areas. Notably, it requires that a development permit be obtained before start of construction or beginning of development within any area of special flood hazard. It appoints the director of the Public Works and Planning Department to administer and implement the chapter by granting or denying development permit applications in accordance with its provisions.
This chapter addresses the following for construction in areas of special flood hazard:
▪ Standards of construction
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▪ Standards for storage of materials and equipment
▪ Standards for utilities
▪ Standards for subdivisions
▪ Standards for manufactured homes and manufactured home parks and subdivision ▪ Provisions for floodway development
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY STATE RESPONSIBILITY AREA FIRE SAFE REGULATIONS OF THE COUNTY (TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.60)
This chapter provides for basic emergency access, perimeter wildfire protection measures, signing and building numbering, private water supply reserves for emergency fire use, and vegetation modification.
Development requirements in this chapter address setbacks for structures, road improvements, road width, cul-de-sacs and dead-end roads, one-way roads, driveways, gates, road signs, building signs, flammable vegetation and fuels, water supply, and hydrant locations.
FIRE DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT IMPACT MITIGATION FEES (TITLE 15, CHAPTER 15.64) The purpose of this chapter is to implement the Fresno County General Plan policy providing for the adoption of development impact mitigation fees and for the collection of such fees at the time of the issuance of building permits or other permits. Subject to the requirements of this chapter, such fees are to be allocated to a fire district within the Fresno County for the acquisition of capital facilities to ensure the provision of the capital facilities necessary to maintain current levels of fire protection services necessitated by new development.
SUBDIVISIONS (TITLE 17, CHAPTERS 17.01-17.60)
Chapters 17.04 through 17.60 makeup Fresno County’s subdivision ordinance, which is deemed necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare. It addresses orderly growth and development of the County; beneficial use of land in the public interest; and conservation, stabilization, and protection of property values and assures adequate provision for necessary utilities, public roads, and other public conveniences in subdivided areas. The subdivision ordinance regulates the design and improvement of land divisions and the dedication of public improvements needed in connection with land divisions. All land divisions must by law be consistent with the general plan and the zoning ordinance.
DRAINAGE OF LAND (TITLE 17, CHAPTER 17.64)
Since the development of land for urban uses substantially accelerates the concentration of surface water and stormwater, it is necessary to require the construction of, and to establish and collect fees to defray the actual or estimated cost of, planned local drainage facilities for the control and safe disposal of surface water and stormwater from local drainage areas to promote and protect the public welfare, safety, peace, comfort, convenience, and the general welfare.
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FRESNO COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE
The purpose of the zoning ordinance is to regulate the use of land in each zoning district. The ordinance typically establishes a list of land uses permitted in each district plus a series of specific standards governing lot size, building height, and required yard and setback provisions in the unincorporated area of Fresno County in a manner consistent with the Fresno County General Plan.
This ordinance incorporates zoning regulations implementing the Fresno County General Plan and all of its elements.
One of the zones created by the ordinance is the Open Space Conservation District (Section 815). This zone is intended to provide for permanent open spaces in the community and to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the people by limiting developments in areas where police and fire protection, protection against flooding by stormwater, and dangers from excessive erosion are not possible without excessive costs to the community.
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PLANNING MITIGATION CAPABILITIES
The table below identifies the plans related to mitigation and loss prevention in Fresno County.
Table 85. Fresno County Planning Capabilities
Regulatory Tool In Place
Yes/No
Under Development
Yes/No Comments
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Unknown
Climate Resiliency or
Adaptation Plan Unknown
Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP) Unknown
Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan Unknown
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
(or General, Master, or Growth
Management Plan)
Unknown
Continuity of Operations Plan
(COOP) Unknown
Disaster Recovery Plan Yes
Economic Development Plan Unknown
Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP) Unknown
Evacuation Plan Unknown
Flood Response Plan Unknown
Floodplain Management
Plan/Flood Mitigation Plan Unknown
Hazard Mitigation Plan Yes
Historic Preservation Plan Unknown
Natural Resources Protection
Plan (NRPP) Unknown
Open Space Management Plan
(Parks and Rec/Greenway Plan) Unknown
Threat Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment Unknown
FRESNO AREA REGIONAL GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Fresno Area Regional Groundwater Management Plan is a comprehensive strategy to enhance and maintain the quantity and quality of local groundwater resources. It provides a vehicle for future groundwater management actions. As part of a regional effort, other basin- specific plans have also been developed for the Kings River and San Joaquin River basins. There are also efforts to create a statewide water management plan. All plans are coordinated for the County through the Public Works and Planning departments.
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FRESNO COUNTY HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Fresno County Hazardous Waste Management Plan is designed to ensure that safe, effective, and economical facilities for the management of hazardous wastes are available when they are needed. To attain this goal, the plan establishes goals, policies, and programs to encourage the safe handling, storage, and transportation of hazardous materials. The Fresno County Environmental Health Department administers this plan.
SPECIAL DISTRICTS
There are numerous special districts that provide a variety of public services in Fresno County. Special districts can provide one or more types of public services, facilities, or infrastructure within a prescribed boundary, and they play an important role in growth management because the availability of their services can encourage or discourage new development. Special districts can tax the properties within their boundaries to pay for the services they provide. Monthly fees may also be assessed. Some of the special districts that provide mitigation-related services in Fresno County are presented below.
FRESNO METROPOLITAN FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT
The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District is a special act district. It was created to provide fully coordinated and comprehensive stormwater management and related services on a regional basis through a quasi-joint powers’ relationship between the Cities of Fresno and Clovis and the County of Fresno. The district service area includes most of the Fresno-Clovis metropolitan area (excluding the community of Easton), and unincorporated lands to the east and northeast.
The mission of the district is to provide to the citizens living within its boundaries the ability to control and manage the water resources of the area so as to prevent damage, injury, and inconvenience; to conserve such waters for local, domestic, and agricultural use; and to maximize the public use and benefit of the district’s programs and infrastructure. The district maintains a services plan that presents district goals, program objectives, current program descriptions, and implementation strategies.
(See Annex M: Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District for more information.)
LOWER SAN JOAQUIN LEVEE DISTRICT
The Lower San Joaquin Levee District is a special act district. It was created to operate, maintain, and repair levees, bypasses, and other facilities built in connection with the Lower San Joaquin River Flood Control Project. The district encompasses approximately 468 square miles in Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties, of which 94 square miles are in Fresno County.
(See Annex N: Lower San Joaquin Levee District for more information.)
KINGS RIVER CONSERVATION DISTRICT
The Kings River Conservation District is a special act district. It is responsible for planning for the proper management of water within its service area, including essential flood control and groundwater
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management services. The district contains about 2,049 square miles in Fresno, Kings, and Tulare counties. The Fresno County portion has 1,001 square miles. It encompasses the Cities of Clovis, Fresno, Fowler, Kerman, Kingsburg, Parlier, Reedley, San Joaquin, Sanger, and Selma and intervening agricultural lands.
FRESNO COUNTY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS
Fire protection districts provide a variety of services, which may include fire protection, rescue, emergency medical, hazardous material emergency response, and ambulance services. ▪ Bald Mountain Fire Protection District
▪ Fig Garden Fire Protection District
▪ Fresno County Fire Protection District
▪ North Central Fire Protection District
▪ Orange Cove Fire Protection District
FRESNO COUNTY IRRIGATION DISTRICTS
Irrigation districts provide water for irrigation to users within their boundaries. They may also use water under their control for other beneficial purposes and provide flood protection measures. ▪ Alta Irrigation District
▪ Central California Irrigation District
▪ Consolidated Irrigation District
▪ Fresno Irrigation District
▪ Hills Valley Irrigation District
▪ James Irrigation District
▪ Laguna Irrigation District
▪ Orange Cove Irrigation District
▪ Riverdale Irrigation District
▪ Tranquility Irrigation District
FRESNO COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICTS
Drainage districts control storm and other waste waters within a district’s boundaries, protect property and infrastructure within a district from damage by stormwater or wastewater, and conserve stormwater and wastewater for beneficial purposes.
▪ Camp 13 Drainage District
▪ Dos Palos Drainage District
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▪ Panoche Drainage District
▪ Silver Creek Drainage District
FRESNO COUNTY MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICTS
Mosquito abatement districts provide mosquito surveillance and control.
▪ Coalinga-Huron Mosquito Abatement District
▪ Consolidated Mosquito Abatement District
▪ Fresno Mosquito and Vector Control District
▪ Fresno-Westside Mosquito Abatement District
FRESNO COUNTY PEST CONTROL DISTRICTS
Pest control districts are comprised of local growers to control, eradicate, or respond to the effects of pests and/or diseases affecting crops.
▪ Central Valley Pest Control District
▪ West Fresno County Red Scale Protective District
RECLAMATION DISTRICTS
Reclamation districts reclaim and protect anybody of swampland and overflowed salt marsh, tidelands, or other lands subject to overflow to irrigate lands inside or outside their boundaries. Services include drainage, levee maintenance, and irrigation services.
▪ No. 1606
▪ Zalda No. 801
FRESNO COUNTY RESOURCE CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Resource conservation districts address a wide variety of conservation issues such as forest fuel management, water and air quality, wildlife habitat restoration, soil erosion control, conservation education, and much more.
▪ Excelsior/Kings River Resource Conservation District
▪ Firebaugh Resource Conservation District
▪ James Resource Conservation District
▪ Los Banos Resource Conservation District
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▪ Panoche Resource Conservation District
▪ San Luis Resource Conservation District
▪ Sierra Resource Conservation District (See Annex P)
▪ Tranquility Resource Conservation District
▪ Westside Resource Conservation District
FRESNO COUNTY WATER DISTRICTS (CALIFORNIA)
Water districts provide water services. Powers may include the acquisition and operation of works for the production, storage, transmission, and distribution of water for irrigation, domestic, industrial, and municipal purposes and any related drainage or reclamation works.
▪ Broadview Water District
▪ Eagle Field Water District
▪ Farmers Water District
▪ Firebaugh Canal Water District
▪ Fresno Slough Water District
▪ Garfield Water District
▪ International Water District
▪ Kings River Water District
▪ Liberty Water District
▪ Mercy Springs Water District
▪ Mid-Valley Water District
▪ Oro Loma Water District
▪ Pacheco Water District
▪ Panoche Water District
▪ Pleasant Valley Water District
▪ Raisin City Water District
▪ San Luis Water District
▪ Stinson Water District
▪ Tri-Valley Water District
▪ Westlands Water District
▪ Wildren Water District
FRESNO COUNTY WATER DISTRICTS (COUNTY)
County water districts furnish imported water.
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▪ Freewater County Water District
▪ Malaga County Water District
▪ Pinedale County Water District
FRESNO COUNTY LOCAL BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES There are several local boards, commissions, and committees in Fresno County. Those that have responsibilities related to hazard mitigation are described briefly below. ▪ Agricultural Land Conservation Committee: This committee reviews cancellation of land conservation contracts and makes recommendations to the Board of Supervisors. ▪ Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies: This organization is charged with providing sufficient quality water to satisfy future requirements for municipal, industrial, and agricultural uses within the areas served by the member agencies.
▪ Planning Commission: This commission is charged with the review and approval or denial of discretionary land use permits. The Commission is also advisory to the Board of Supervisors on proposed amendments to the General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance.
FIRE SAFE COUNCILS
The Fire Safe Council provides resources for establishing and maintaining local fire safe councils to mobilize Californians to protect their homes, communities, and environments from wildfire. These councils serve as forums for stakeholders to share and validate fire safety and fire planning information.
There are two fire safe councils in Fresno County:
▪ Highway I-168 Fire Safe Council (northeastern Fresno County) ▪ Highway I-80 Oak to Timberline Fire Safe Council (southeastern Fresno County) FRESNO COUNTY’S ADMINISTRATIVE/TECHNICAL MITIGATION
CAPABILITIES
Table 86. Fresno County's Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities identifies the County personnel responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in Fresno County.
Table 86. Fresno County's Administrative and Technical Mitigation Capabilities Staff or Personnel
Resources Yes No
Department or
Single Staff
Member
Comments
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Emergency Manager X OES DEPT
Engineers or professionals
trained in construction
practices related to buildings
and/or infrastructure
UNKNOWN
Fiscal Management or
Procurement Specialists UNKNOWN
Floodplain Manager UNKNOWN
Land Surveyors UNKNOWN
Land
Use/Management/Development
Planning
UNKNOWN
Planners or engineers with an
understanding of natural
and/or human-caused hazards
UNKNOWN
Resource Development Staff
or Grant-writing X OES & PUBLIC
WORKS
Scientists familiar with the
hazards of the community UNKNOWN
Staff experienced with
Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) or HAZUS
X PUBLIC WORKS
Staff with education or
expertise to assess the
community’s vulnerability to
hazards
UNKNOWN
FRESNO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
A number of important mitigation and emergency management programs and services are located in the Fresno County Department of Public Health, which provides health promotion, surveillance, and disease prevention services to protect public health.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND ITS MISSION
The Fresno County Office of Emergency Services (OES) is a program located within the Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Division. Fresno County OES coordinates planning and preparedness, response and recovery efforts for disasters occurring within the unincorporated area of the County. The mission of the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services is to develop and maintain the capability to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters, and to ensure the most effective use of all available resources. To accomplish this mission OES communicates and coordinates with all levels of government and many other entities in order to minimize the impact of disasters and enable affected communities to return to pre-disaster conditions as soon as possible.
On November 14, 1995, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors adopted the State's Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS), established the geographic area of the County of Fresno as the Fresno County Operational Area, and designated Fresno County as the Operational Area Lead Agency. Fresno County OES is mandated by the California Emergency Services Act (Chapter 7, Division 1, Title 2 of Government Code) to serve as the liaison between the State and all the local
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government political subdivisions comprising Fresno County. As the Operational Area lead agency, Fresno County OES maintains ongoing communication with local government agencies (County Departments, Incorporated Cities, Special Districts, and Public School Districts) as well as many state and federal agencies and nonprofit organizations to maintain and enhance the capability to respond to and recover from disasters.
During a Disaster
The Office of Emergency Services provides the initial staffing and coordination of the County’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which is the primary coordination point for response to major emergencies and disasters. During a disaster event OES staff gathers information from the affected jurisdictions and determines the level of response required. OES acts as the link between local government agencies and the State to transmit emergency related information and to request necessary State and Federal assistance.
Between Disasters
The Office of Emergency Services coordinates a wide variety of emergency management functions including developing and updating response plans, maintaining and enhancing the emergency operations center and related equipment, administering emergency preparedness grants, assisting county agencies and local jurisdictions with emergency related activities, and identifying and coordinating appropriate emergency training activities.
FRESNO COUNTY OPERATIONAL AREA MASTER EMERGENCY SERVICES PLAN The program coordinates the development and maintenance of the Fresno County Operational Area Master Emergency Services Plan, which serves as a guide for the County’s response to emergencies/disasters in the Fresno County Operational Area, and to coordinate and assist with disaster response in jurisdictions both within and outside of the Fresno County Operational Area.
Certified Unified Program Agency
The Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) is responsible for implementing a unified hazardous materials and hazardous waste management regulatory program. The agency provides oversight of businesses that require hazardous materials business plans, require California accidental release prevention plans or federal risk management plans, operate storage tanks, generate hazardous waste(s), and have onsite treatment of hazardous waste(s)/tiered permits.
Land Use Program
Land Use program staff are responsible for reviewing proposed land use development applications submitted to the various planning agencies in the County and providing comments regarding project compliance with the appropriate environmental health standards relative to the staff’s areas of expertise. The Land Use Program evaluates proposed land developments for compliance with laws and regulations pertaining to domestic and public water supplies, sewage and solid waste disposal, community noise and vector control.
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Water Surveillance Program
The Water Surveillance Program permits, monitors, and inspects small public water systems and state small water systems within Fresno County and permits new water well construction, reconstruction of existing wells, and destruction of abandoned wells within unincorporated Fresno County. These activities are designed to help assure that a reliable supply of pure, wholesome, and potable water is provided to small public and state small water systems within Fresno County. In addition, the water well permitting program helps assure that private water wells are constructed to minimize the potential for contamination of the groundwater supply and eliminate safety hazards associated with abandoned wells.
Communicable Disease Division
The Communicable Disease Division of the Public Health Department participates in hazard mitigation in several ways, including immunizations, education, and preventive medication to prevent and/or control the spread of disease. The ultimate result is a reduction in human suffering, medical costs, and lost productivity.
In the case of a pandemic influenza or bio-terrorism event, the division would mobilize to mitigate the effects on the general population as well as first responders and essential personnel by administering antivirals, antibiotics, and immunizations. The County has a pandemic response plan that is implemented by this division.
Education and Prevention Services
Education and Prevention Services supports the public health objectives of the Department of Public Health. It conducts research on current health issues and, where appropriate, develops and implements programs to provide information, education, and services that promote and improve the public health and safety within the Fresno community. Staff also participate in a variety of public health partnerships with schools, community-based organizations, health and safety coalitions, public health agencies, managed care, medical institutions, and community members. Activities include:
▪ Conducting research and development on identified unmet public health needs; ▪ Developing, implementing, and evaluating primary prevention interventions intended to address targeted health needs of children, youth, and families; ▪ Providing consumer, youth, and employer health and wellness education; ▪ Creating and implementing informational marketing campaigns on health and safety topics; ▪ Coordinating selected training, assessment, and evaluation activities for the department.
Public Health Laboratory
The Public Health Laboratory provides surveillance and detects the presence of disease producing agents that have the potential to adversely affect the health of an entire community. The information generated by this testing is furnished to other agencies and departments to be used for the purpose of monitoring infectious disease outbreaks and environmental threats to the public’s health. The information can then be used to plan containment strategies and assess the effectiveness of various health education programs.
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Fresno County Heat Emergency Contingency Plan
Administered by a number of departments within the Department of Public Health, the Fresno County Heat Emergency Contingency Plan was developed to reduce the incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with local extreme heat events. The plan describes County operations during heat-related emergencies and provides guidance for County departments and personnel.
FRESNO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND PLANNING
The Fresno County Department of Public Works and Planning is responsible for a wide variety of programs and activities related to planning, zoning, permits, water, community service districts, housing, community and economic development, and roads and bridges for the unincorporated portion of Fresno County. Most of the department’s mitigation activities take place in the Development Services Division, which consists of the following sections:
▪ Building and Safety Section—Responsibilities include administration of building codes and regulations to ensure the public’s safety.
▪ Land Development, Policy Planning, and Environmental Analysis Units - Responsibilities include processing of land use applications, land division, administration of the County’s general plan, Regional, Community and specific plans, urban growth management, and project-related amendments to General Plan and the Zoning Ordinance.
▪ Development Engineering – Responsibilities include processing grading permits, processing parcel maps and lot line adjustments.
Development Engineering is also responsible for floodplain administration and administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for unincorporated areas of the County. The NFIP is a FEMA program that makes flood insurance available to communities that have enacted local ordinances restricting development within the 100-year floodplain. Fresno County has been an NFIP participant since 1982.
Floodplain management in Fresno County is based on mapping associated with the 2016 FEMA Flood Insurance Study, which contains revised and updated information on flood hazards in the geographic area of Fresno County, including the Cities of Clovis, Coalinga, Firebaugh, Fowler, Fresno, Huron, Kerman, Kingsburg, Mendota, Orange Cover, Parlier, Reedley, Sanger, San Joaquin, and Selma and the unincorporated areas of Fresno County. This study developed flood- risk data for various areas of the community that will be used to establish actuarial flood insurance rates and to assist the community in its efforts to promote sound floodplain management.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The Community Development Division is responsible for implementing a variety of grants and programs to develop and promote viable communities by improving housing, providing a suitable living environment, and expanding economic opportunities.
Community Development Programs are provided solely through the use of grant funds such as the Community Development Block Grant, HOME Investment Partnerships Program, Neighborhood
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Stabilization Program and other Federal and State grants. Agritourism funding is provided by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors. The programs the department provides include:
▪ Affordable Housing Programs
▪ Community Development Grants
▪ Economic Development
▪ Housing Element and Community Plans
FRESNO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The Fresno County Department of Agriculture, under direction of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is responsible for conducting regulatory and service functions pertaining to the multi-billion- dollar agricultural industry in Fresno County. The primary purpose and objective of the department is the promotion and protection of the County agricultural industry and the general public. The services the department provides across its offices include:
Main Office
▪ Pesticide Regulatory Program office
▪ Fruit and Vegetable Program office
▪ Certified Producers Certificates
▪ Public information requests
▪ ACP Bulk Citrus Compliance Agreement Issuance
▪ Weights and Measures Program Office
Administrative Office
▪ Plant Quarantine office
▪ Administration staff
▪ Business Services Division
▪ Entomologist/Pest Identification
District Offices
▪ Phytosanitary Certification of export commodities
▪ Restricted Materials Permit and Operator Identification Number Issuance ▪ ACP Bulk Citrus Compliance Agreement Issuance
▪ Disposal Orders
▪ Regulatory Guidance
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COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
The County Administrative Office functions as the operations arm of the Board of Supervisors to deliver the highest quality public services to Fresno County residents. There are 21 Departments with 7,200 employees dedicated to finding better and more effective ways to meet the needs of our community.
We administer the County’s $4.1 billion dollar budget that funds services in public safety, law enforcement, agriculture, public works, human services, libraries and elections. The CAO office takes the lead in activities to improve the quality of life in Fresno County, including economic development, capital improvements, and tourism.
FRESNO COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Fresno County Public Library provides collections and services through its Central Resource Library and 34 branches. It is part of the San Joaquin Valley Library System, a cooperative network of ten public library jurisdictions in the counties of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, and Tulare.
The library is an excellent resource for information about hazards and emergency preparedness.
STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAMS
A number of state and federal programs exist to provide technical and financial assistance to local communities for hazard mitigation. Some of the primary agencies/departments that are closely involved with local governments in the administration of these programs include:
▪ California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
▪ State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
▪ California Department of Water Resources (San Joaquin District)* ▪ San Joaquin River Management Plan
▪ California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Fresno King’s Unit)* ▪ California Environmental Protection Agency
▪ California Department of Fish and Game*
▪ California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
▪ California Highway Patrol
▪ California State Parks and Recreation Department*
▪ California State Lands Commission*
▪ San Joaquin River Conservancy*
▪ Federal Emergency Management Agency (Region IX)
▪ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (South Pacific Division/Sacramento District)* ▪ Bureau of Reclamation (Mid-Pacific Region, Hollister planning area)* ▪ USDA Forest Service (Pacific Southwest Region)*
▪ National Parks Service (Pacific West Region)*
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▪ USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (Fresno Service Center)* ▪ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Region IX)
▪ American Red Cross (Fresno/Madera)
*Owns and/or manages land and/or facilities (or has some sort of administrative role, e.g., fire protection) in the County, potential partner for mitigation activities
SERVICE PROVIDERS FOR PEOPLE WITH ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS A number of local organizations provide services and support to people with Access and Functional Needs in Fresno County. These include:
▪ Central Valley Regional Center (CVRC)
o Serves clients with intellectual deficits, autism, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other conditions requiring similar services (including brain injuries). Many of their clients experience behavioral challenges, mobility issues, vision and hearing deficits, cognitive deficits, and health conditions that require special equipment. o They estimate that there are 13,389 people residing in Fresno County with this type of disability as of March 2024, and serve 28,000 clients across six counties. o CVRC can provide disaster-related assistance to their large population of clients, and has staff that speak a variety of languages (including English, Spanish, and Hmong) ▪ American Red Cross
o Serves hundreds of clients with mobility issues and who are hard of hearing during disasters.
o Provides sheltering, feeding, and wrap-around services (recovery, damage assessments, and disaster emergency supplies)
▪ The Fresno-Madera Area Agency on Aging
o Serves older clients who frequently experience vision and hearing impairments, cognitive impairment, and mobility challenges.
o Serves approximately 1,000 clients per month between MSSP, Linkages, and HDM programs, in addition to serving approximately 5,800 meals at congregate sites. o Can provide support in identifying clients that need evacuation assistance and provide emergency meals and durable medical equipment.
▪ Amputees of Central California
o Serves clients who have lost one or more limbs, many of whom do not use prosthetics and need additional support in ambulating during an emergency. o Serves 400-500 clients, of the estimated 700-800 amputees in Fresno County. ▪ Loyd’s Liberty Homes
o Provides housing services to clients who blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing, non-ambulatory, elderly, non-verbal, and with behavioral health issues. o Houses 38 clients across two facilities
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FRESNO COUNTY’S FISCAL MITIGATION CAPABILITIES
Table 87. Fresno County's Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities identifies financial tools or resources that the County could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.
Table 87. Fresno County's Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities Staff or
Personnel
Resources
Never Used Previously Used Currently Used Comments
Capital Improvement
Programming UNKNOWN
Community
Development Block
Grants (CDBG)
UNKNOWN
Special Purpose
Taxes (or taxing
districts)
UNKNOWN
Gas/Electric Utility
Fees UNKNOWN
Water/Sewer Fees UNKNOWN
Stormwater Utility
Fees UNKNOWN
Development Impact
Fees UNKNOWN
General Obligation,
Revenue, and/or
Special Tax Bonds
UNKNOWN
Partnering
Agreements or
Intergovernmental
Agreements
UNKNOWN
FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Assistance
Grants (HMGP, FMA,
PDM)
UNKNOWN
Homeland Security
Grants (HSGP) X
USDA Rural
Development Agency
Grants
UNKNOWN
US Economic
Development
Administration Grants
UNKNOWN
Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs
Act (IIJA)
UNKNOWN
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VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
Requirement §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.
Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(ii)(A): The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of the types and numbers of existing and future buildings, infrastructure, and critical facilities located in the identified hazard areas.
Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(ii)(B): [The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of an] estimate of the potential dollar losses to vulnerable structures identified in paragraph (c)(2)(i)(A) of this section and a description of the methodology used to prepare the estimate.
Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(ii)(C): [The plan should describe vulnerability in terms of] 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.
With Fresno County’s hazards identified and profiled, the HMPC conducted a vulnerability assessment to describe the impact that each hazard would have on the County. The vulnerability assessment quantifies, to the extent feasible using best available data, assets at risk to natural hazards and estimates potential losses. This section focuses on the risks to the County as a whole. Data from the individual participating jurisdictions was also evaluated and is integrated here and in the jurisdictional annexes and noted where the risk differs for a particular jurisdiction within the planning area.
Data used to support this assessment included the following:
▪ County GIS data (hazards, base layers, and assessor’s data) ▪ Statewide GIS datasets compiled by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services to support mitigation planning
▪ California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection GIS datasets including tree mortality data ▪ FEMA’s HAZUS-MH for earthquake modelling
▪ Written descriptions of inventory and risks provided by participating jurisdictions ▪ A refined flood loss estimation by jurisdiction with the use of geospatial analysis 1% and 0.2% annual chance flooding as well as the 200-year floodplain. ▪ Existing plans and studies
▪ Personal interviews with planning team members and staff from the County and participating jurisdictions
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FRESNO COUNTY VULNERABILITY AND ASSESTS AT RISK
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. This section describes significant assets at risk in the planning area. Data used in this baseline assessment included:
▪ Total values at risk
▪ Critical facility inventory
▪ Historic, cultural, and natural resources
▪ Growth and development trends
▪ Social vulnerability
TOTAL VALUES AT RISK
The following data from the Fresno County Assessor’s Office is based on the certified roll values as of February 2024. This data should only be used as a guideline to overall values in the County, 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 within the County. It is also important to note, in regard to 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. Figure 80. Fresno County Exposure by Jurisdiction shows the building values for the entire Fresno County planning area (e.g., the total values at risk) by jurisdiction. The values for unincorporated Fresno County are provided in Figure 81. Building Exposure for Unincorporated County, by Property Type by property type. For more information on building exposure for each jurisdiction, see the appropriate annex.
Table 88. Assets at Risk
Jurisdiction Parcel Count Building
Count
Improved
Value
Land Value Total Value
Clovis 42,692 37,893 $14,224,851,294 $3,332,745,410 $17,565,413,960 Coalinga 3,762 4,807 $40,376,700 $11,159,350 $51,536,050 Firebaugh 2,201 2,077 $24,317,302 $13,330,297 $41,994,899 Fowler* 2,381 2,296
Fresno 156,104 152,956 $74,325,635,573 $14,859,345,930 $89,998,576,963 Huron* 1,142 1,066
Kerman 4,043 4,045 $289,394,719 $94,670,178 $392,488,007
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Jurisdiction Parcel Count Building
Count
Improved
Value
Land Value Total Value
Kingsburg 4,166 4,393 $195,880,186 $77,170,690 $277,098,036 Mendota 2,361 2,331 $5,429,577 $2,154,143 $7,593,820
Orange Cove* 1,718 2,126
Parlier 2,813 3,102 $7,642,462 $1,930,661 $9,573,123
Reedley 7,153 7,132 $4,566,516,130 $313,583,124 $4,890,722,514 San Joaquin * 795 854
Sanger 7,513 7,870 $340,931,729 $91,625,847 $432,668,326 Selma 6,558 7,149 $141,103,950 $68,244,144 $209,749,314 Unincorporated 82,580 94,849 $2,990,240,616 $2,155,125,277 $5,399,450,613 *Tax Parcel Ownership Value table for Fresno County does not contain valuations for these 4 jurisdictions Source: Based on information from Fresno County Assessor 2/28/2024 and Microsoft-Bing Building Footprints U.S. Dataset, 2019
Table 89. Assets at Risk by Parcel Type
Property Type Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value Land Value Total Value
Agricultural 4,867 4,594 $1,614,009,984 $1,414,695,221 $3,128,491,075 Commercial 2,425 1,109 $6,571,839,262 $1,967,206,317 $8,604,594,489 Government 23 3 $240,514 $1,333,289 $1,573,803
Industrial 730 899 $1,475,735,060 $522,248,712 $2,922,628,472 School 29 43 $28,202,029 $7,365,482 $35,612,811
Hospital 16 3 $341,363,536 $17,708,710 $359,072,246
Multi-Residential
(Apartments or Condos)
12,554 3,438 $78,143,455,036 $13,343,869,743 $91,487,380,379 Group
Housing/Lodging
27 62 $123,195,002 $27,027,675 $152,511,457
Mobile/Manufactured
Home
379 1,007 $219,791,066 $337,554,097 $557,363,573
Open Space 1,194 395 $1,624,248,027 $473,461,965 $2,107,438,892 Single -Family
Residential
34,844 33,773 $6,783,498,693 $2,510,390,338 $9,293,925,341 Recreation 53 29 $23,510,572 $10,083,948 $33,645,020
Utilities 22 42 $7,711,634 $19,469,825 $27,181,459
Unknown or Vacant 6,742 289,027 $56,529,540 $343,157,723 $400,037,763 Total 63,905 334,424 $97,013,329,955 $20,995,573,045 $119,111,456,780
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Source: Based on information from Fresno County Assessor 2/28/2024 and Microsoft-Bing Building Footprints U.S. Dataset, 2019
CRITICAL FACILITY INVENTORY
Of significant concern with respect to any disaster event is the location of critical facilities in the planning area. Critical facilities are often defined as those services and facilities essential during a major emergency and that, if damaged, would result in severe consequences to public health and safety or facilities that, if unusable or unreachable because of a major emergency, would seriously and adversely affect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Critical facilities include, but are not limited to:
▪ Schools and other publicly owned facilities.
▪ Hospitals, nursing homes, and housing likely to have occupants who may not be sufficiently mobile to avoid injury or death during a major disaster.
▪ Police stations, fire stations, vehicle and equipment storage facilities, and emergency operations centers that are needed for response activities before, during, and after an event. ▪ Public and private utility facilities that are vital to maintaining or restoring normal services to damaged areas before, during, and after an event; and
▪ Structures or facilities that produce, use, or store highly volatile, flammable, explosive, toxic, and/or water-reactive materials.
An updated inventory of critical facilities in the planning area based on data from a combination of Fresno County GIS and the Homeland Infrastructure Foundation-Level Data (HIFLD 2022; 2023) is provided in Figure 82. Fresno County Planning Area’s Critical Facilities A noted limitation is the lack of facilities for water and power which was not available in the County or HIFLD datasets. Critical facilities in the County are illustrated in Figure 83. Critical Facilities in Fresno County, with more detail shown in Figure 84, Figure 85, and Figure 86. More information on critical facilities in the participating jurisdictions can be found in the jurisdictional annexes.
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Table 90. Critical Facilities in Fresno County
Jurisdiction Airport
Facilities
Bus
Facilities
Comms.
Facilities
Electric
Power
Facilities
EOCs Fire
Stations
Natural
Gas
Facilities
Medical
Care
Facilities
Oil
Crude
Pipeline
Facilities
Police
Stations
Railways
Facilities
Schools Waste
water
Treatment
Facilities
Total
Clovis 0 0 2 0 0 6 0 1 0 2 0 39 1 51
Coalinga 1 0 1 0 1 3 0 2 0 3 0 10 0 21
Firebaugh 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 11
Fowler 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 8 0 11
Fresno 2 1 5 2 1 21 0 13 0 11 4 182 1 243
Huron 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 5
Kerman 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 6 0 9
Kingsburg 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 10 0 15
Mendota 1 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 11
Orange Cove 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 6
Parlier 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 7 0 9
Reedley 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 14 1 20
San Joaquin 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3
Sanger 1 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 14 0 20
Selma 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 11 0 15
Unincorporated 0 0 34 54 0 33 1 0 0 1 4 71 1 199
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, HIFLD, 2022, 2023
Figure 58. Fresno County Critical Facilities and Critical Infrastructure
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, HIFLD, 2022, 2023
Figure 59. Western Fresno County Critical Facilities and Critical Infrastructure
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, HIFLD, 2022, 2023
Figure 60. Central Fresno County Critical Facilities and Critical Infrastructure
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, HIFLD, 2022, 2023
Figure 61. Western Fresno County Critical Facilities and Critical Infrastructure
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HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Assessing the vulnerability of Fresno County to disaster also involves inventorying the historic, cultural, and natural assets of the area. This step is important for the following reasons:
▪ The community may decide that these types of resources warrant a greater degree of protection due to their unique and irreplaceable nature and contribution to the overall economy. ▪ If these resources are impacted by a disaster, knowing so ahead of time allows for more prudent care in the immediate aftermath, when the potential for additional impacts are higher. ▪ The rules for reconstruction, restoration, rehabilitation, and/or replacement are often different for these types of designated resources.
▪ Natural resources can have beneficial functions that reduce the impacts of natural hazards, for example, wetlands and riparian habitat help absorb and attenuate floodwaters.
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL RESOURCES
Fresno County has a large stock of historically significant homes, public buildings, and landmarks. To inventory these resources, the HMPC collected information from several sources. The California Department of Parks and Recreation Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) was the primary source of information. The OHP is responsible for the administration of federally and state mandated historic preservation programs to further the identification, evaluation, registration, and protection of California’s irreplaceable archaeological, and historical resources. OHP administers the National Register of Historic Places, the California Register of Historical Resources, the California Historical Landmarks, and the California Points of Historical Interest programs. Each program has different eligibility criteria and procedural requirements.
▪ The National Register of Historic Places is the Nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. The National Register is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect historic and archeological resources. Properties listed include districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that are significant in American history, architecture, archeology, engineering, and culture. The National Register is administered by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of the Interior. ▪ The California Register of Historical Resources program encourages public recognition and protection of resources of architectural, historical, archeological and cultural significance; identifies historical resources for state and local planning purposes; determines eligibility for state historic preservation grant funding; and affords certain protections under the California Environmental Quality Act. The register is the authoritative guide to the state’s significant historical and archeological resources.
▪ California Historical Landmarks are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of statewide significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural, economic, scientific, technical, religious, experimental, or other value. Landmarks #770 and above are automatically listed in the California Register of Historical Resources. ▪ California Points of Historical Interest are sites, buildings, features, or events that are of local (city or county) significance and have anthropological, cultural, military, political, architectural,
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economic, scientific, technical, religious, experimental, or other value. Points designated after December 1997 and recommended by the State Historical Resources Commission are also listed in the California Register.
Historical resources included in the programs above are identified in Table 91. Fresno County Historical Resources.
Table 91. Fresno County Historical Resources
Name
(Landmark
Plaque
Number)
National
Register
State
Landmark
Point of
Interest Date Listed City
Arroyo De Cantua
(344) X 8/8/1939 Coalinga
Azteca Theater X 4/05/2017 Fresno
Bank of Italy
(N1140) X 10/29/1982 Fresno
Ben Gefvert Rank
Historic District X 1/01/2011 Fresno
Big Creek
Hydroelectric
System Historic
District
X 7/26/2016 Big Creek
Birdwell Rock
Petroglyph Site
(N2193)
X 3/12/2003 Coalinga
Brix, H.H., Mansion
(N1235, P438) X X 9/15/1983 (N)
10/1/1975 (P) Fresno
Coaling Station A
(P7) X 12/16/1966 Coalinga
Coalinga Polk
Street School
(N1099)
X 5/6/1982 Coalinga
Dinkey Creek
Bridge (N1957) X 9/5/1996 Dinkey Creek
Einstein House
(N554, P440) X X 1/31/1978 (N)
10/1/1975 (P) Fresno
Fig Garden
Woman’s Club
(P799)
X 7/18/1994 Fresno
Forestiere
Underground
Gardens (N524,
916)
X X 10/28/1977 (N)
1/31/1978 Fresno
Fort Miller (584) X 5/22/1957 Friant
Fowler’s Switch
(P299) X 5/2/1973 Fowler
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Name
(Landmark
Plaque
Number)
National
Register
State
Landmark
Point of
Interest Date Listed City
Fresno Bee
Building (N1158) X 11/1/1982 Fresno
Fresno Brewing
Company Office
and Warehouse
(N1260)
X 1/5/1984 Fresno
Fresno City (488) X 8/7/1951 Tranquility
Fresno County Hall
of Records X 12/22/2011 Fresno
Fresno Memorial
Auditorium (N1867) X 5/10/1994 Fresno
Fresno Republican
Printery Building
(N738)
X 1/2/1979 Fresno
Fresno Sanitary
Landfill (N2140) X 8/7/2001 Fresno
Gamlin Cabin
(N471) X 3/8/1977 Wilsonia
Holy Trinity
Armenian
Apostolic Church
(N1450)
X 7/31/1986 Fresno
Hotel Californian
(N2235) X 4/21/2004 Fresno
John Muir
Memorial Shelter X 8/15/2016 Grant Cove
Kearney, M. Theo,
Park and Mansion
(N335, P5)
X X 3/13/1975 (N)
8/5/1966 (P) Fresno
Kindler, Paul,
House (N1141) X 10/29/1982 Fresno
Kingsburg
Railroad Depot
(P694)
X 3/30/1988 Kingsburg
Knapp Cabin
(N727) X 12/20/1978 Cedar Grove
Maulbridge
Apartments
(N1100)
X 5/6/1982 Fresno
Meux House (N324,
P437) X X 1/13/1975 (N)
10/1/1975 (P) Fresno
Milwood Townsite
(P4) X 8/5/1966 Miramonte
Old Administration
Building, Fresno
City
College (N282)
X 5/1/1974 Fresno
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Name
(Landmark
Plaque
Number)
National
Register
State
Landmark
Point of
Interest Date Listed City
Old Fresno Water
Tower (N114) X 10/14/1971 Fresno
Orange Cove Santa
Fe Railway Depot
(N658)
X 8/29/1978 Orange Cove
Pantages,
Alexander, Theater
(N559)
X 2/23/1978 Fresno
Physicians
Building (N701) X 11/20/1978 Fresno
Reedley National
Bank (N1344) X 2/28/1985 Reedley
Reedley Opera
House Complex
(N1276)
X 4/5/1984 Reedley
Rehorn House
(N982) X 1/8/1982 Fresno
Romain, Frank,
House (N986) X 1/11/1982 Fresno
San Joaquin Light
& Power
Corporation
Building (N2310)
X 1/3/2006 Fresno
Santa Fe Hotel
(N1673) X 3/14/1991 Fresno
Santa Fe
Passenger Depot
(N443)
X 11/7/1976 Fresno
Settlement of
Academy (P45) X 9/22/1967 Toll House
Shorty Lovelace
Historic District
(N555) *
X 1/31/1978 Pinehurst
Site of First Junior
College in
California (803)
X 6/28/1965 Fresno
Site of the Fresno
Free Speech Fight
of the Industrial
Workers of the
World (873)
X 7/19/1974 Fresno
Southern Pacific
Passenger Depot
(N561)
X 3/21/1978 Fresno
Stoner House
(N1390) X 10/17/1985 Sanger
Sycamore Point
(P226) X 10/5/1971 Friant
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Name
(Landmark
Plaque
Number)
National
Register
State
Landmark
Point of
Interest Date Listed City
Temporary
Detention Camps
for Japanese
Americans-Fresno
Assembly Center
(934)
X 5/13/1980 Fresno
Temporary
Detention Camps
for Japanese
Americans-
Pinedale Assembly
Center (934)
X 5/13/1980 Pinedale
Tollhouse (P145) X 11/3/1969 Toll House
Tower Theatre
(N1795) X 9/24/1992 Fresno
Twining
Laboratories
(N1681)
X 3/26/1991 Fresno
Warehouse Row
(N564) X 3/24/1978 Fresno
YWCA Building
(N673, P439) X X 9/21/1978(N)
10/1/1955 (P) Fresno
Source: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places
The National Park Service administers two programs that recognize the importance of historic resources, specifically those pertaining to architecture and engineering. While inclusion in these programs does not give these structures any sort of protection, they are valuable historic assets. Note:
Since these structures are not protected, it is possible that they no longer exist.
The Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) documents America’s architectural heritage. The following are the HABS structures in Fresno County:
▪ Albert G. Wishon House, 340 North Fulton Street, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Burnett Nurse's Home, 120 North Howard Street, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Charles H. Cobb House, 271 North Yosemite Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Dinkey Ranger Station, Warehouse, Dinky-Shaver Road at Dinky Creek, Shaver Lake, Fresno County, CA
▪ George H. Larsen House, 486 North Poplar Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Ira H. Brooks House, 350 North Fulton Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA
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▪ Ivan Carter McIndoo House, 310 North Fulton Street (Moved from 410 North Van Ness Avenue), Fresno, Fresno County, CA
▪ John G. Porter House, 316 North Fulton Street (Moved from 420 North Van Ness Avenue), Fresno, Fresno County, CA
▪ Lamb Townhouse, 254 North Roosevelt Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Matthew McIndoo House, 345 North Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Newman J. Levinson House, 1636 Broadway Street (moved from 439 North Van Ness Avenue), Fresno, Fresno County, CA
▪ O'Brien House, 136-138 North Roosevelt Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ William W. Hangar House, 6118 Greenwood Avenue (Moved from 425 North Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA), Clovis, Fresno County, CA
The Historic American Engineering Record documents historic sites and structures related to engineering and industry. The following are the HAER structures in Fresno County:
▪ Hume Lake Dam, Sequoia National Forest, Hume
▪ Belmont Avenue Subway, Traffic Circle, and Bridge, Belmont Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA ▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Bear Creek Diversion Dam, Sierra National Forest, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Big Creek Town, Operator House Garage, Orchard Avenue south of Huntington Lake Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Big Creek Town, Operator House, Orchard Avenue south of Huntington Lake Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Cottage 112, 53996 Huntington Lake Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Cottage 113, 53934 Huntington Lake Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Cottage 115, 54347 Cedar Street, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA ▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Florence Lake Dam, Sierra National Forest, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse 1, North Bank of Big Creek, 100 feet from Big Creek Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse 2 and 2A, South Bank of Big Creek, approximately
3.5 miles west of Big Creek, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA ▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse 3 Penstock Standpipes, Big Creek, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse 3, San Joaquin River, near confluence of Italian Bar Road and Million Dollar Road, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
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▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse 8, Confluence of Big Creek and San Joaquin River, about 4.8 miles west of Big Creek, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA ▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Powerhouse 8, Operator Cottage, Big Creek, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA
▪ Big Creek Hydroelectric System, Vincent 220kV Transmission Line, 224-mile transmission line extending from Big Creek to Antelope Substation, Big Creek, Fresno County, CA ▪ Hume Lake Dam, Sequioa National Forest, Hume, Fresno County, CA ▪ Weber Avenue Overcrossing, Weber Avenue above East Belmont Avenue, Fresno, Fresno County, CA
The Fresno County General Plan Background Report identifies the following, some of which are already mentioned above, as historic properties in Fresno County:
▪ Azteca Theater (836-840 F Street)
▪ Lake Moon Company Building (914-920 F Street)
▪ Industrial Bank of Fresno/Bank of Italy Building (947-951 F Street) ▪ Basque Hotel (1102 F Street)
▪ Gundelfinger Home (2201 Calaveras Street)
▪ Temple Beth Israel (2336 Calaveras Street)
▪ Bolitho Home (33 N. Calaveras Street)
▪ McGee-Macias Home (115 N. Calaveras Street)
▪ John C. Fox Home (128 N. Calaveras Street)
▪ Ernest J. Huntzicker Memorial Hall (245 N. Calaveras Street) ▪ Eugene Mathewson Home (319 N. Calaveras Street)
▪ Shipp-Selland Home (1919) 1002 E. Cambridge Avenue
▪ George Riddell Miller Home (617 E. Carmen Ave.)
▪ Deacon-Eilert Home (660 E. Carmen Ave.)
▪ Bates Home (718 E. Carmen Ave.)
▪ Frank Chance Field Site (1935) Southwest corner of Cedar Avenue and Ventura Street ▪ Fresno Trolley Cars/Standard Diner (1731 S. Cherry Avenue) ▪ Holt Lumber Company (1916 S. Cherry Avenue)
▪ Shuttera Home (ca. 1904) 320 S. Chestnut Avenue
▪ Bing Kong Association Building (921-929 China Alley)
▪ Bow On Tong Association Building (935 China Alley)
▪ McKay Home (201 N. Clark Street)
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▪ Shipp Home (305 N. Clark Street)
▪ Anderson Home (329 N. Clark Street)
▪ Wild Home (1929) 567 E. Clinton Avenue
▪ George W. Smith Home (109 N. College Avenue)
▪ Henry & Emily Banta Home (228 N. College Avenue)
▪ John B. Frinchaboy Home (243 N. College Avenue)
▪ Moore-Koop Home (258 N. College Avenue)
▪ Alfred and Minnie Cherin Home (1949) 233 E. Cornell Avenue ▪ Hewitt Home (175 N. Diana Street)
▪ E. E. Wyman/Santa Fe Land Improvement Co. Boarding House (209 N. Diana Street) ▪ Graff Home (916 E. Divisadero Street)
▪ Flora Montague Bungalow Court (950 E. Divisadero Street) ▪ Ohannesian Home (1225 E. Divisadero Street)
▪ Mary Matson Home (1440 E. Divisadero Street)
▪ Hopkins Home (1458 E. Divisadero Street)
▪ J. R. Turner Home (ca. 1910) 815 E. Dudley Avenue
▪ Free Evangelical Lutheran Cross Church (208 E Street) ▪ Legler Home (305 E Street)
▪ First Mexican Baptist Church (1061 E Street)
▪ John B. Marshall Homes (164 N. Echo Avenue)
▪ Whitney-Huntting Home (1105 N. Echo Avenue)
▪ George & Adelphia Rowell Home (1903) 153 N. Effie Street ▪ Weems Home (3121 E. El Monte Way)
▪ William Saroyan Home (3204 E. El Monte Way)
▪ Vartanian Home (362 F Street)
▪ Gibbs Home (369 N. Ferger Avenue)
▪ Solorio Home (415 N. Ferger Avenue)
▪ Hughes Home (1917) 743 S. Fourth Street
▪ William F. Jones Home (1911) 1112 E. Franklin Avenue) ▪ Fresno Fire Department No. 3 (1406-1430 Fresno Street) ▪ Fresno City Hall (2326 Fresno Street)
▪ Fresno Memorial Auditorium (2425 Fresno Street)
▪ Old Fresno Water Tower (2444 Fresno Street)
▪ Twining Laboratories (2527 Fresno Street)
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▪ Physicians Building (2607 Fresno Street)
▪ H. H. Brix Mansion (2844 Fresno Street)
▪ City Fire Alarm Station (2945 Fresno Street)
▪ Eaton Flats Apartments (126 N. Fresno Street)
▪ San Joaquin Grocers Wholesale Warehouse (104 Fulton Street) ▪ J. M. Menend/Murray Ice Cream Co. Building (175 Fulton Street) ▪ Sham's Rio Grande Service Station (205 Fulton Street) ▪ White Company Trucks/Electric Motor Company Building (245 Fulton Street) ▪ Rustigian Building (701-723 Fulton Street)
▪ Sun Stereo Warehouse (736 Fulton Street)
▪ Fresno Photo Engraving Building (748-752 Fulton Street) ▪ Radin-Kamp Department Store (959 Fulton Mall)
▪ Bank of Italy Building (1001 Fulton Mall)
▪ Fresno Daily Expositor Building (1029-1031 Fulton Mall) ▪ Mason Building (1044 Fulton Mall)
▪ Pacific Southwest Building (1060 Fulton Mall)
▪ Helm Building (1101 Fulton Mall)
▪ Mattei Building (1177 Fulton Mall)
▪ Pantages Theatre (1400-1430 Fulton Street)
▪ San Joaquin Light & Power Company (1401 Fulton Street) ▪ Wilson Theater (1445-1463 Fulton Street)
▪ P. G. & E. Building (1544 Fulton Street)
▪ Kutner Home (174 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Ira Brooks Home (226 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Alexander Home (235 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Farr Home (245 N. Fulton Street)
▪ McIndoo-Phillips Home (310 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Sample Sanitarium (311 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Porter-Bernard Home (320 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Amazon S. Hays Home (330 N. Fulton Street)
▪ A. G. Wishon Home (340 N. Fulton Street)
▪ Ridge Electric Motor Company Building (1968) 1235 G Street) ▪ Henry C. Offutt Home (227 N. Glenn Avenue)
▪ Thompson Home (274 N. Glenn Avenue)
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▪ Cardwell Home (357 N. Glenn Avenue)
▪ John H. Fearon / Efren J. Diaz-Muñoz Home (1906) 2540 E. Grant Avenue) ▪ William Saroyan Home (1963) 2729 W. Griffith Way)
▪ Hobbs Parsons Produce Company (903 H Street)
▪ Dale Bros. Coffee Company Sign (1420 H Street)
▪ Benham Ice Cream/Dale Bros. Coffee Company (1420-1432 H Street) ▪ Jacob Parret Home (1900) 2069 E. Harvey Avenue)
▪ Old Barn (ca. 1900) 2919 E. Heaton Avenue)
▪ Cearley-Twining Home (625 E. Home Avenue)
▪ Old Saint Agnes Hospital (603 W. Home Avenue)
▪ Ray & Jessie Prior Home (1921) 458 N. Howard Avenue)
▪ Dr. Oliver Howard Home (3263 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ Fred J. & Mary Dow Home (3369 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ Clarence & Bessie Bernhauer Home (3428 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ A. G. & Henrietta Wishon Home (3555 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ Fred & Virginia Billings Home (3650 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ F. Rex & Vera Sporleder Home (3702 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ C. M. & Gertrude Prescott Home (3707 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ Bekins-McClatchy Home (3729 E. Huntington Boulevard)
▪ Blum Home (3870 E. Huntington Boulevard)
▪ Eugene & Elsie Brinker Home (3965 E. Huntington Boulevard) ▪ Johnson Home (1907) 3811 E. Illinois Avenue)
▪ Liberty Laundry Building (1928) 1830 Inyo Street)
▪ Kearney Boulevard Gateway (Kearney Boulevard & Fresno Street) ▪ Thomas Arrioto Home (505 E. Kearney Boulevard)
▪ St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (307 E. Kearney Boulevard) ▪ Teilman Home (919 W. Kearney Boulevard)
▪ Clovis M. Cole Home (1914) 3615 E. Kerckhoff Avenue)
▪ Fresno Buddhist Temple (1340 Kern Street)
▪ Komoto's Department Store and Hotel (1536-1542 Kern Street) ▪ Hotel Virginia (2125-2139 Kern Street)
▪ Fresno Republican Printery (2130 Kern Street)
▪ Old Post Office Substation (2404 Kern Street)
▪ Scottish Rite Temple (1455 L Street)
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▪ Harvey Swift Home (1605 L Street)
▪ Montgomery Thomas Home (1642 L Street)
▪ Kutner Home (1651 L Street)
▪ Bean Home (1705 L Street)
▪ Towne Apartments (1717 L Street)
▪ Long (Black) Home (1727 L Street)
▪ Helm Home (1749 L Street)
▪ Fresno Brewing Company (100 M Street)
▪ Squirt Bottling Company Building (152 M Street)
▪ Neverman Home (309 M Street)
▪ Hoonanian Home (496 M Street)
▪ Valley Lahvosh Baking Company (502 M Street)
▪ Louis Einstein Home (1600 M Street)
▪ Y.W.C.A. Residence Hall (1660 M Street)
▪ Fresno Unified School District Office (2348 Mariposa Street) ▪ Fresno Unified School District Office (2348 Mariposa Mall) ▪ St. John's Hall School (2811 Mariposa Street)
▪ St. John's Cathedral Catholic Church (2814 Mariposa Street) ▪ St. John's Rectory (2814 Mariposa Street)
▪ Normandy Village Apartments (ca. 1935) 840-852 E. Brown Avenue/2617-2645 N. Maroa Avenue ▪ Edward B. Waterman Home (2535 E. McKenzie Avenue)
▪ Mrs. C. C. S. Tufts Home (2635 E. McKenzie Avenue)
▪ George & Jessie Hare Home (1918) 815 E. McKinley Avenue ▪ Thomas & Sadie Elliott Home (ca. 1904) 934 E. Mildreda Avenue ▪ Proffitt Home (1911) 5218 N. Millbrook Avenue
▪ Senator Ray W. & Marie Hays Home (1937) 1616 S. Minnewawa Avenue ▪ Fresno Planing Mill Company (1917) 1820 Monterey Street ▪ Mink Home (344 N Street)
▪ McVey Homes (1322-1326 N Street)
▪ Walley Residence (1338 N Street)
▪ First Church of Christ Scientist (1615 N Street)
▪ Lewis Insurance Company Office (431 E. Olive Avenue)
▪ Smith/Staniford Home (437 E. Olive Avenue)
▪ Kindler Home (1520 E. Olive Avenue)
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▪ Robinson Home (1900) 1003 S. Orange Avenue
▪ United Grocers Inc. Wholesale Grocery Building (414 P Street) ▪ Berven Rug Mills Inc./Wellman-Peck & Company (616 P Street) ▪ Fresno Consumers Ice Company (702 P Street)
▪ Western Meat Company (754 P Street)
▪ Wormser Building (764 P Street)
▪ Frank J. Craycroft Home (1927) 6545 N. Palm Avenue
▪ Donahoo Home (103 N. Park Avenue)
▪ Waller Home (306 N. Park Avenue)
▪ Cowdrey Home (330 N. Park Avenue)
▪ John Euless Home (1913) 373 S. Peach Avenue
▪ Nis Johnson Home (601 E. Pine Avenue)
▪ Gustav & Edith Manheim Home (617 E. Pine Avenue)
▪ Gates-Twining Home (640 E. Pine Avenue)
▪ Mosgrove Home (660 E. Pine Avenue)
▪ Main Home (1914) 520 W. Princeton Avenue
▪ State Center Warehouse (747 R Street)
▪ United Grocers Inc. Warehouse & Distribution Center (801 R Street) ▪ Thomas R. Meux Home (1007 R Street)
▪ Collins Home (1107 R Street)
▪ C. W. Harlow Home (1913) 986 N. Roosevelt Avenue)
▪ Aten Home (1133 S Street)
▪ Central Packaging Supply Company (1920) 2534 San Benito Street) ▪ Romain Home (1905) 2055 San Joaquin Street)
▪ First Congregational Church (11 N. San Pablo Avenue)
▪ Woolfolk Home (267 N. San Pablo Avenue)
▪ C. Jarman Home (385 N. Pablo Avenue)
▪ Spencer Home (395 N. San Pablo Avenue)
▪ W. H. Spencer Home (401-403 N. San Pablo Avenue)
▪ Vincent Home (921 N. San Pablo Avenue)
▪ Schmidt Home (1908) 2320 Santa Clara Street)
▪ Santa Fe Hotel (1913) 935 Santa Fe Avenue)
▪ Martin Home (1002 T Street)
▪ Gundelfinger Home (1020 T Street)
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▪ Goodman Home (1060 T Street)
▪ Anderson Home (1120 T Street)
▪ Van Valkenburgh Home (1125 T Street)
▪ Albert C. Wilke Home (532 E. Terrace Avenue)
▪ C. J. Ryland Home (573 E. Terrace Avenue)
▪ St. Genevieve's Catholic Church (1127 Tulare Street)
▪ Southern Pacific Depot (1713 Tulare Street)
▪ Southern Pacific Lines Pullman Shed (1713 Tulare Street) ▪ T. W. Patterson Building (2014 Tulare Street)
▪ Rowell Building (2100 Tulare Street)
▪ Fresno County Hall of Records (2281 Tulare Street)
▪ U.S. Post Office (2309 Tulare Street)
▪ Maubridge Apartments (2344 Tulare Street)
▪ Santa Fe Depot (2650 Tulare Street)
▪ F. K. Prescott Home (2983 Tulare Street)
▪ Theodore Roosevelt High School (4250 E. Tulare Street) ▪ Emmanuel Lutheran Church (1115 U Street)
▪ Gerlitz Home (121 North U Street)
▪ Frank L. Smith Home (245 North U Street)
▪ Fresno City College Old Administration Building (1101 E. University Avenue) ▪ Fresno City College Library (1122 E. University Avenue) ▪ Roessler Home (4881 E. University Avenue)
▪ Van Ness Gate Entrance (2208 S. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Judy Tobacco Building (155 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Bekins Van and Storage (301 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Elia Home (634/640 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ James Phelan Building (700 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Pilibos Building (830 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Hotel California (851 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Kern Kay Hotel (906-912 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Liberty Theater (944 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Fresno Bee Building (1545 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Sadler Office Supply Company (1717 Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Adam Baird Home (136 N. Van Ness Avenue)
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▪ Barkalew Home (153 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ McAlpine Home (171 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Eugene & Eleanor Risley Home (243 N. Van Ness Avenue) ▪ John Fairweather Home (248 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ W. D. Coates Home (264 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Fathy Home (844 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Maracci Home (985 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Porteous Home (1095 N. Van Ness Avenue)
▪ Russ Clements Service Station (2740 N. Van Ness Avenue) ▪ Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church (2226 Ventura Street) ▪ J. B. Inderrieden Co. Packing Plant (2721 Ventura Street) ▪ Frank Chance Field Site (Southwest corner of Cedar Avenue and Ventura Street) ▪ Owen Home (1902) 2631 E. Washington Avenue)
▪ Floyd W. Cowan Home (642 E. Weldon Avenue)
▪ W. P. Stanton Home (650 E. Weldon Avenue)
▪ Nystrom Home (725 N. Wilson Avenue)
▪ A. Emory & Cora Wishon Home (1287 N. Wilson Avenue)
▪ Roessler Winery (1893) 1902 N. Winery Avenue)
▪ Tower Theatre (1201 N. Wishon Avenue)
▪ William & Helen Sutherland Home (1460 N. Wishon Avenue) ▪ Alice & John Williams Home (1525 N. Wishon Avenue)
▪ Herbert C. Gundelfinger Home (1919) 1038 E. Yale Avenue) ▪ Thomas Cowan Home (153 N. Yosemite Avenue)
▪ John Humiston Home (229 N. Yosemite Avenue)
▪ Christian L. Samuelson Home (232 N. Yosemite Avenue)
▪ Cobb Home (271 N. Yosemite Avenue)
▪ Wilbur F. & Edna Marie Chandler Home (520 N. Yosemite Avenue) ▪ Homer A. Allen Home (548 N. Yosemite Avenue)
A 1988 publication from the state’s Office of Historical Preservation identified 16 “ethnic historic sites” in Fresno County. Five Views: An Ethnic Historic Site Survey for California was originally conceived to broaden the spectrum of ethnic community participation in historic preservation activities and to provide better information on ethnic history and associated sites. The 16 sites are as follows:
▪ Burr Ranch/Smith Brothers Ranch (Black American)
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▪ Fowler City Park (Black American)
▪ Gabriel Moore Ranch (Black American)
▪ Young’s Place (Black American)
▪ First Mexican Baptist Church (Mexican American)
▪ Fresno Buddhist Church (Japanese American)
▪ Fresno Nihonmachi (Japanese American)
▪ H. Sumida Company (Japanese American)
▪ Iseki Labor Camp (Japanese American)
▪ Kamikawa Brothers (Japanese American)
▪ Nihin Byoin-Hashiba Sanitarium (Japanese American)
▪ Okonogi Hospital Site (Japanese American)
▪ Reedley Kyogi-Kai Hall (Japanese American)
▪ Bowles (Japanese American)
▪ Selma Japanese Mission Church (Japanese American)
▪ KGST (Mexican American)
The Fresno County General Plan Background Report also identifies 13 museums in Fresno County, most of which are in the City of Fresno. They are all privately owned and operated nonprofit organizations.
• African American Historical And Cultural Museum Of The San Joaquin Valley, Fresno • Armenian Heritage Museum, Fresno
• Arte Americas, Fresno
• Clovis Museum, Clovis
• Community Heritage Center, Fresno
• Downing Planetarium, Fresno
• Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno
• Fresno Art Museum, Fresno
• Fresno County Historical Museum, Fresno
• Fresno Historical Society, Fresno
• Kearney Mansion Museum, Fresno
• Meux Home Museum, Fresno
• Reedley City Museum, Reedley
• Sanger Depot Museum, Sanger
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• Veterans Memorial Museum Inc, Fresno
• William Saroyan House-Museum, Fresno
It should be noted that these lists may not be complete, as they may not include those properties currently in the nomination process and not yet listed. Additionally, as defined by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), any property over 50 years of age is considered a historic resource and is potentially eligible for the National Register. Thus, if the property is to be altered, or has been altered, as the result of a major federal action, the property must be evaluated under the guidelines set forth by CEQA and NEPA. Structural mitigation projects are considered alterations for the purpose of this regulation.
NATURAL RESOURCES
Natural resources are important to include in benefit-cost analyses for future projects and may be used to leverage additional funding for mitigation 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 stores and reduces the force of floodwaters.
CENTRAL COAST RANGE REGION
Only a small portion of the far western edge of Fresno County lies in the central Coast Range region.
This area supports a mosaic of summer dry grassland, blue oak and blue oak-foothill pine woodland, and chaparral habitat types. Western Fresno County transitions from the grasslands and agriculture of the Central Valley to the inner coast region. Mostly intermittent streams flow from the inner Coast Range to the valley floor. Some can support riparian habitat that provides additional value to both resident and migratory wildlife.
SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY FLOOR REGION
More than 50 percent of Fresno County lies in the southern San Joaquin Valley subregion of the Central Valley. This southern subregion is generally hotter and drier than the subregion to the north and supports some desert elements. The valley floor region has undergone extensive conversion of native habitats that existed before European settlement of the state. Presently, this region supports extensive amounts of agriculture and urban development around the Fresno, Clovis, and Sanger areas.
In the few remaining areas not converted to urban or agriculture use, unique biological features persist.
Mixed in with areas of grassland habitat are freshwater and alkaline vernal pools that support unique native flora and fauna. A few small, isolated areas of sodic vernal pools occur in the northwestern part of the County, primarily at the Kerman reserve. Concentrations of freshwater vernal pools occur in a belt along the northeast edge of the valley floor region north of the Kings River. In the highly modified Central Valley, vernal pool areas are often grazed but remain a unique biological relic of native California species in the natural landscape.
The rivers and streams that flow from the mountains in the east historically meandered through broad floodplain. Because of urbanization and agriculture, these broad floodplains have been restricted to narrower belts along the rivers and streams or otherwise modified for flood control. In the upper San
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Joaquin River, the floodplains are naturally constrained by high bluffs bordering the river. Within this modified landscape, the remaining riparian habitat provides corridors and linkages to and from the biotic regions of the County and is of great value to resident and migratory wildlife. The San Joaquin and Kings River systems and the Fresno Slough are the major waterways in the County.
CENTRAL SOUTHERN SIERRA NEVADA FOOTHILLS
Fresno County includes a portion of the central and southern subregions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains that can be further divided into a central/southern Sierra Nevada foothill and central/southern high Sierra Nevada district. The foothill district is best differentiated from the high Sierra and the San Joaquin Valley areas by habitat types that change with topography. The foothills that are the transition from the valley floor to the high Sierra can be characterized by blue oak and blue oak-foothill pine woodlands and chaparral habitats dotted with areas of serpentine soils. Density and canopy coverage of tree species is highly variable depending on natural conditions such as soils, topography, slope and aspect, and human influences from grazing, hardwood harvesting, and other land clearing activities. Moderate gradient perennial and intermittent streams and rivers support a varied amount of riparian habitat that provide valuable habitat for wildlife.
CENTRAL/SOUTHERN HIGH SIERRA NEVADA
The transition from the foothills to the high Sierra Nevada can be characterized by the addition of ponderosa pine at low elevations into the dominant plant species composition (from around 2,000 feet).
The foothills to high Sierra biotic regions make a transition through a mixed hardwood conifer habitat to those habitats dominated by conifers, such as ponderosa pine, white fir, and giant sequoia. In the higher elevations, Jeffrey pine, lodgepole pine, and treeless alpine communities dominate. Rivers and streams are at a higher gradient than their foothill or valley floor reaches and support a montane riparian habitat that, like the others, provides valuable habitat for resident and migratory wildlife. The majority of the high Sierra region in Fresno County is included in the Sequoia and Sierra National Forests and Kings Canyon National Park and managed by their respective federal agencies for recreational, timber, tourism, and wilderness values.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno-GIS; City of Fresno-GIS; Griffith, G.E., Omernik, J.M., Smith D.D., Tallyn, E., Moseley, K., and Johnson, C.B., 2016, Ecoregions of California (poster): U.S.
Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-2021
Figure 62. Fresno County Biotic Regions
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Each region hosts specific habitats that together support a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife (Table
92. Fresno County's Generalized Biotic Regions and Habitat Mosaic), and each region has different susceptibilities to hazards such as wildfire, flood, and drought. Fresno County recognizes the importance of protecting, preserving, conserving, and restoring this biodiversity.
Table 92. Fresno County's Generalized Biotic Regions and Habitat Mosaic Central Western
California Region
Great Central Valley Sierra Nevada
Foothills
High Sierra Nevada
• Chaparral
• Blue Oak-Foothill Pine
Woodland
• Annual/Ruderal
Grassland
• Riparian Woodlands
• Oak Woodlands
• Juniper Woodland
• Desert and Alkali Scrub
• Grasslands
• Marshes
• Vernal Pools
• Alkali Scrubs
• Riparian Woodlands
• Eucalyptus Forest
• Grassland
• Chaparral
• Serpentine Chaparral
• Blue Oak Woodlands
• Blue Oak-Foothill Pine
Woodlands
• Riparian Woodlands
• Hardwood Stands
• Juniper Woodland
• Montane Conifer and
Hardwood Forest
• Montane Riparian
Woodlands
• Montane Chaparral
• Alpine Scrub
• Hardwood Stands
• Aspen Stands
• Conifer Forests
Source: Fresno County General Plan, 2024
Approximately one third of the County lies within land under federal jurisdiction. The USDA Forest Service and National Parks Service manage these lands for recreation, biology, wilderness, tourism, timber, and mining under federal guidelines, policies, and laws. The biotic regions that are outside of federal ownership and, therefore, most subject to development are the Central Coast Range, San Joaquin Valley Floor, and the lower Sierra Nevada foothills.
For purposes of this plan, natural resources include special-status species, sensitive habitats, wetlands, and other natural resources identified by the HMPC. Figure 63. Fresno County Environmental Features illustrates Fresno County’s environmental features.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; City of Fresno – GIS; California Wetland Monitoring Workgroup; CA Aquatic Resources Inventory, 3/2024; CalTrans/CDFG, Natural Small Area – CA Essential Habitat Connectivity, 5/2021; CDFW, Areas of Conservation Emphasis (ACE) Oak Woodlands, 5/2021; Temple University, Critical Habitats 2023, 5/2023
Figure 63. Fresno County Environmental Features
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SPECIAL-STATUS SPECIES
To further understand natural resources that may be particularly vulnerable to a hazard event, as well as those that need consideration when implementing mitigation activities, it is important to identify at- risk species (i.e., endangered species) in the planning area. An endangered species is any species of fish, plant life, or wildlife that is in danger of extinction throughout all or most of its range. A threatened species is a species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range. Both endangered and threatened species are protected by law and any future hazard mitigation projects are subject to these laws. Candidate species are plants and animals that have been proposed as endangered or threatened but are not currently listed.
Information from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Natural Diversity Data Base, a program that inventories the status and locations of rare plants and animals in California, was combined to create an inventory of special-status species in Fresno County. The full inventory, along with information about habitat requirements and distribution where available from the Fresno County General Plan Background Report, is available in Appendix B: Special-Status Species in Fresno County.
Table 93. Endangered, Threatened, Rare, and Candidate Species in Fresno County lists national and state endangered, threatened, rare, and candidate species in Fresno County by species type.
Table 93. Endangered, Threatened, Rare, and Candidate Species in Fresno County Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status California Status Amphibians
California tiger
salamander Ambystoma californiense Threatened Threatened Yosemite toad Anaxyrus canorus Threatened None
foothill yellow-legged
frog Rana boylii None Endangered
California red-legged
frog Rana draytonii Threatened None
southern mountain
yellow-legged frog Rana muscosa Endangered Endangered Sierra Nevada yellow-
legged frog Rana sierrae Endangered Threatened
Birds
tricolored blackbird Agelaius tricolor None Threatened
Swainson's hawk Buteo swainsoni None Threatened
western yellow-billed
cuckoo
Coccyzus americanus
occidentalis Threatened Endangered
willow flycatcher Empidonax traillii None Endangered
bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Delisted Endangered bank swallow Riparia None Threatened
great gray owl Strix nebulosa None Endangered
least Bell’s vireo Vireo bellii pusillus Endangered Endangered Fish
Lahontan cutthroat
trout
Oncorhynchus clarkii
henshawi Threatened None
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Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status California Status Paiute cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii
seleniris Threatened None
steelhead - Central
Valley DPS
Oncorhynchus mykiss
irideus Threatened None
Invertebrates
Crotch bumble bee Bombus crotchii None Candidate
western bumble bee Bombus occidentalis None Candidate
longhorn fairy shrimp Branchinecta longiantenna Threatened None vernal pool fairy shrimp Branchinecta lynchi Threatened None valley elderberry
longhorn beetle
Desmocerus californicus
dimorphus Threatened None
vernal pool tadpole
shrimp Lepidurus packardi Endangered None
Mammals
Nelson's antelope
squirrel Ammospermophilus nelsoni None Threatened
giant kangaroo rat Dipodomys ingens Endangered Endangered Fresno kangaroo rat Dipodomys nitratoides
exilis Endangered Endangered
California wolverine Gulo None Threatened
Sierra Nevada bighorn
sheep Ovis canadensis sierra Endangered Endangered
fisher – Southern Sierra
Nevada ESU Pekania pennant Candidate Threatened
San Joaquin kit fox Vulpes macrotis mutica Endangered Threatened Sierra Nevada red fox Vulpes necator Proposed Listing Threatened Plants
Mariposa pussypaws Calyptridium pulchellum Threatened None San Benito evening-
primrose Camissonia benitensis Threatened None
Tompkins' sedge Carex tompkinsii None Rare
tree-anemone Carpenteria californica Threatened
succulent owl's-clover Castilleja campestris var.
succulenta Threatened Endangered
California jewelflower Caulanthus californicus Endangered Endangered palmate-bracted salty
bird's-beak Chloropyron palmatum Endangered Endangered
Hoover's eriastrum Eriastrum hooveri Delisted None
Tracy's eriastrum Eriastrum tracyi None Rare
Boggs Lake hedge-
hyssop Gratiola heterosepala None Endangered
Congdon's lewisia Lewisia congdonii None Rare
San Joaquin
woollythread Monolopia congdonii Endangered None
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Common Name Scientific Name Federal Status California Status San Joaquin Valley
Orcutt grass Orcuttia inaequalis Threatened Endangered
Hartweg's golden
sunburst Pseudobahia bahiifolia Threatened Endangered
San Joaquin adobe
sunburst Pseudobahia peirsonii Endangered None
Keck's checkerbloom Sidalcea keckii Endangered None
Greene's tuctoria Tuctoria greenei Endangered Rare
Reptiles
blunt-nosed leopard
lizard Gambelia sila Endangered Endangered
giant garter snake Thamnophis gigas Threatened Threatened Sources: Fresno County General Plan 2024
SENSITIVE HABITATS
The California Department of Fish and Game Natural Diversity Data Base identifies 12 sensitive habitat types in Fresno County:
▪ Big tree forest
▪ Coastal and valley freshwater marsh
▪ Great valley mesquite scrub
▪ Great valley mixed riparian forest
▪ Monvero residual dunes
▪ Northern basalt flow vernal pool
▪ Northern claypan vernal pool
▪ Northern hardpan vernal pool
▪ Northern vernal pool
▪ Sycamore alluvial woodland
▪ Valley needlegrass grassland
▪ Valley sink scrub
WETLANDS
Wetlands are habitats in which soil is intermittently or permanently saturated or inundated. Wetland habitats vary from rivers to seasonal ponding of alkaline flats and include swamps, bogs, marshes, vernal pools, and riparian woodlands. Wetlands are waters of the United States and are subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well as the California Department of Fish and Game (CDF&G). Where the waters provide habitat for federally endangered species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service may also have authority.
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Wetlands are a valuable natural resource for communities due to their benefits to water quality, wildlife protection, recreation, and education and play an important role in hazard mitigation. Wetlands provide drought relief in water-scarce areas where the relationship between water storage and streamflow regulation are vital and reduce flood peaks and slowly release floodwaters to downstream areas. When surface runoff is dampened, the erosive powers of the water are greatly diminished. Furthermore, the reduction in the velocity of inflowing water as it passes through a wetland helps remove sediment being transported by the water.
Notable categories of wetlands found in Fresno County include wet meadows in the mountainous region, vernal pools in the foothills, marshes in the valley trough, and reclaimed agricultural lands in western Fresno County. The CDF&G manages several of the major identified wetlands in Fresno County, including the Mendota Wildlife Management Area, Kerman Ecological Reserve, Alkali Sink Ecological Reserve, and smaller wetlands management units along the San Joaquin River. While these lands are currently being adequately protected, environmental concern is primarily focused on wetlands that are not yet identified and protection of remaining vernal pools. Several vernal pool complexes are located near Friant between Friant Road and the Friant-Kern Canal and in the area south of Academy and east of Red Mountain. A large concentration of very high-quality vernal pools is found in these areas, and they are some of the best examples of vernal pools in the state. The County’s vernal pools are threatened by urban development and conversion to intensive agriculture.
OTHER NATURAL RESOURCES
While some of these resources are not owned or managed by the County, they are important assets for the County (Figure 64. Fresno County Parks, Forests, and Wilderness Areas).
▪ Kings Canyon National Park
▪ Sequoia National Park & Forest
▪ Sierra National Forest
▪ Avocado Lake Park - 3625 N. Piedra Rd. Piedra, CA 93649 ▪ China Creek Park – Sanger, CA 93657
▪ Choinumni Park - 26501 Pine Flat Road Piedra, CA 93649 ▪ County Cemetery / Potter's Field - 242 N. Hughes Avenue Fresno, CA 93706 ▪ Courthouse Park - 1100 Van Ness Avenue Fresno, CA 93721 ▪ Kearney Park - 6725 W. Kearney Blvd. Fresno, CA 93706 ▪ Kings River Green Belt Park - 769 N Piedra Rd, Sanger, CA 93657 ▪ Laton-Kingston Park - 20055 S. Fowler Ave., Laton, CA 93242 ▪ Los Gatos Creek Park - 46240 Los Gatos Creek Rd. Coalinga, CA 93210 ▪ Lost Lake Recreation Area - 16385 N. Friant Road. Friant, CA 93626 ▪ Pine Flat Handicap Fishing Access
▪ Shaver Lake Launch Ramp - 45795 Tollhouse Road Shaver Lake, CA 93664 ▪ Skaggs Bridge Park - 5901 N. Madera Avenue Kerman, CA 93630
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▪ Thorburn Access Park - CA-180 & N Rio Vista Ave, Sanger, CA 93657 ▪ Three Rocks Fishing Access
▪ Veteran's Liberty Cemetery - 1831 W. Belmont Ave. Fresno, CA 93728 ▪ Winton Park - 25314 E Trimmer Springs Road, Sanger, CA 93657
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; County of Fresno – GIS; City of Fresno – GIS; CALands.org, CA Protected Areas DB, 5/2022; Wilderness Institute – University of Montana, Wilderness Areas in the U.S., 12/2023; CDFW, Owned and Operated Lands & Conservation Easements, 3/2024
Figure 64. Fresno County Parks, Forests, and Wilderness Areas
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GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
As part of the planning process, the HMPC looked at changes in growth and development, both past and future, and examined these changes in the context of hazard-prone areas, and how the changes in growth and development affect loss estimates and vulnerability. According to the Fresno County General Plan, Fresno County is investing in efforts to facilitate the creation of higher paying jobs to account for a high population growth. More specific information on growth and development for each participating jurisdiction can be found in the jurisdictional annexes.
CURRENT STATUS AND PAST DEVELOPMENT
The 2022 estimated population of Fresno County was 1,015,190. This was an increase of 8.9 percent from the 2010 census population of 932,450. In terms of population, Fresno County is the 5th most populous county by populations. The following tables show past growth in Fresno County in terms of population, housing units, and density.
Table 94. Fresno County Population Change by Decade
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2022
Total 365,945 415,599 517,717 672,302 801,288 932,011 1,015,190 Change -- 49,654 102,118 154,585 128,986 130,723 83,179 Percent
Change
(%)
-- 13.5 24.6 29.9 19.2 16.3 8.9
Sources: Social Science Data Analysis Network, www.censusscope.org/; California Department of Finance, www.dof.ca.gov/Research/
Table 95. Fresno County Population Change by Jurisdiction City Population
2010
Population
2022
% Change # Change % of
County
% of Total
Growth
Clovis 95,631 124,556 30.25% 28,925 12.27% 30.06%
Coalinga 13,380 17,024 27.23% 3,644 1.68% 3.79%
Firebaugh 7,549 8,418 11.51% 869 0.83% 0.90%
Fowler 5,570 7,154 28.44% 1,584 0.70% 1.65%
Fresno 494,665 545,567 10.29% 50,902 53.74% 52.90%
Huron 6,754 6,240 -7.61% -514 0.61% -0.53%
Kerman 13,544 16,208 19.67% 2,664 1.60% 2.77%
Kingsburg 11,382 12,613 10.82% 1,231 1.24% 1.28%
Mendota 11,014 12,618 14.56% 1,604 1.24% 1.67%
Orange Cove 9,078 9,525 4.92% 447 0.94% 0.46%
Parlier 14,494 14,554 0.41% 60 1.43% 0.06%
Reedley 24,194 25,441 5.15% 1,247 2.51% 1.30%
San Joaquin 4,001 4,021 0.50% 20 0.40% 0.02%
Sanger 24,270 26,600 9.60% 2,330 2.62% 2.42%
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City Population
2010
Population
2022
% Change # Change % of
County
% of Total
Growth
Selma 23,219 24,430 5.22% 1,211 2.41% 1.26%
All Cities 758,745 854,969 12.68% 96,224 84.22% 100.00% Unincorporated 171,705 160,221 6.69% -11,484 15.78% -11.93% County Totals 930,450 1,015,190 9.11% 87,740 100% 100%
Source: US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/ *Estimate based on 2020 Census
Table 96. Fresno County Housing Units Change by Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Housing
Units 2010
Housing
Units 2020 %Change #Change % of
County
% of
Total
Growth
Clovis 35,306 43,954 24.49 8,648 37.75 33.67
Coalinga 4,344 4,658 7.23 314 1.37 1.22
Firebaugh 2,096 2,225 6.15 129 0.56 0.50
Fowler 1,842 2,133 15.80 291 1.27 1.13
Fresno 171,288 184,226 7.55 12,938 56.47 50.38
Huron 1,602 1,610 0.50 8 0.03 0.03
Kerman 3,908 4,512 15.46 15.46 2.64 2.35
Kingsburg 4,069 4,415 8.50 8.50 1.51 1.35
Mendota 2,556 2,875 12.48 319 1.39 1.24
Orange Cove 2,231 2,481 11.21 250 1.09 0.97
Parlier 3,494 3,853 10.27 359 1.57 1.40
Reedley 6,867 7,247 5.53 380 1.66 1.48
San Joaquin 934 937 0.32 3 0.01 0.01
Sanger 7,104 7,787 9.61 683 2.98 2.66
Selma 6,813 7,224 6.03 411 1.79 1.60
All Cities 254,454 280,137 10.09 25,683 100 --
Unincorporated 61,077 58,304 -4.54 -2,773 --- --
County Totals 315,531 338,441 7.26 22,910 100 --
Source: US Census Bureau. httsp://factfinder.census.gov/
Table 97. Fresno County Population and Housing Density Change by Jurisdiction City
Area in
Square
Miles
2010 Population
Density
2010
Housing Unit
Density
2020 Population
Density*
2020 Housing
Unit Density*
Clovis 25.42 4,108.2 1389 4,726.5 1729
Coalinga 6.85 2,186.7 634 2,569.7 680
Firebaugh 3.52 2,180.4 595 2,302.0 632
Fowler 2.53 2,200.3 728 2,646.1 843
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City
Area in
Square
Miles
2010 Population
Density
2010
Housing Unit
Density
2020 Population
Density*
2020 Housing
Unit Density*
Fresno 115.18 4,418.4 1487 4,706.8 1599
Huron 1.60 4,245.0 1001 3,878.8 1006
Kerman 3.27 4,189.9 1195 4,903.4 1380
Kingsburg 3.72 4,024.3 1094 3,330.6 1187
Mendota 3.39 3,359.6 754 3,712.1 848
Orange Cove 1.79 4,748.6 1246 5,384.5 1386
Parlier 2.14 6,606.9 1633 6,050.6 1800
Reedley 5.51 4,759.2 1246 4,579.2 1315
San Joaquin 1.1 3,637.3 849 3,655.5 852
Sanger 5.77 4,393.7 1231 4,615.4 1350
Selma 5.81 4,520.6 1173 4,248.3 1243
All Cities 162.18 4,678.7 1,569 5,274.7 1726
Unincorporated 5796.20 29.6 11 27.6 10
County Totals 5958.38 156.2 52.96 169.3 56.8
Source: US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
As indicated in the previous section, Fresno County has been steadily growing over the last four decades, and this growth is projected to continue through the middle of the century. Table 98.
Population Projections for Fresno County shows the population projections for the County as a whole through 2060.
Table 98. Population Projections for Fresno County
2020 2030 2040 2050 2060
Population 1,007,344 1,047,382 1,083,901 1,098,206 1,095,205 Percent
Change % -- 3.97% 3.49% 1.32% 0.27%
Source: California Department of Finance, www.dof.ca.gov/Research/
Table 99. Detailed Population Projections for Fresno County shows the population projections for each jurisdiction and the unincorporated area through 2050.
Table 99. Detailed Population Projections for Fresno County City 2019 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Clovis 134,210 134,780 141,700 147,760 153,420 158,370 162,660 166,160 Coalinga 13,530 13,690 14,570 15,210 15,800 16,320 16,770 17,140
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City 2019 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045 2050
Firebaugh 7,720 7,720 8,790 9,200 9,580 9,920 10,210 10,450 Fowler 6,380 6,580 6,930 7,200 7,460 7,680 7,870 8,030
Fresno 592,350 596,060 621,540 647,980 672,650 694,240 712,960 728,200 Huron 5,700 5,700 5,930 6,200 6,460 6,680 6,880 7,030
Kerman 14,220 14,290 15,660 16,340 16,980 17,540 18,020 18,420 Kingsburg 13,350 13,410 14,360 14,960 15,510 15,990 16,410 16,750 Mendota 11,170 11,220 11,830 12,330 12,790 13,200 13,560 13,850 Orange
Cove 9,170 9,170 9,660 10,070 10,450 10,780 11,070 11,310 Parlier 14,040 14,140 14,740 15,380 15,980 16,500 16,950 17,320 Reedley 25,170 25,170 26,100 27,240 28,300 29,230 30,040 30,700 Sanger 28,660 28,770 30,090 31,370 32,560 33,600 34,510 35,240 San
Joaquin 3,500 3,500 3,610 3,750 3,880 3,990 4,090 4,170 Selma 26,960 27,000 29,130 30,360 31,510 32,520 33,390 34,100 Subtotal
Cities 906,130 911,200 954,640 995,350 1,033,330 1,066,560 1,095,390 1,118,870 Source: Fresno County Council of Governments, 2020
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SUMMARY
According to the projections all areas of the County will continue to grow, but the percentage of growth will decrease over time, through 2050. The Fresno County General Plan assumes that 92.6 percent of the population growth experienced in Fresno County through the year 2020 will be directed to incorporated cities and 7 percent will be absorbed in the unincorporated area. Fresno County recognizes, however, that because of state-mandated directives, including the Regional Housing Needs Allocation, the County may be forced to consider approval of urban development in areas that are not currently planned for such uses. Careful consideration and Board policy direction will be necessary if Fresno County needs to designate new areas for urban development. The Land Resources Inventory verifies that there is no shortage of potentially developable land in Fresno County. Consistent with the County’s urban development policy, intensive housing development will be directed to residentially zoned urban areas and established communities where infrastructure and services are available. This policy reflects the commitment to conserve natural and managed resources and to minimize the loss of valuable agriculture land and open space.
SOCIAL VULNERABILITY
Emergencies and disasters often highlight and intensify existing societal inequities, affecting groups based on socioeconomic status, race, age, disability, and other social factors. These events disproportionately impact certain populations, creating additional challenges in preparation, response, and recovery phases. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic shed light on pre-existing disparities such as limited healthcare access, leading to higher rates of hospitalizations and mortality among vulnerable groups. It's essential to recognize and understand these community-specific limitations and barriers to ensure equitable preparedness, mitigation, and response strategies for future incidents.
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To aid in this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), a comprehensive tool designed for emergency management planners and practitioners at state, local, and tribal levels. The SVI helps identify communities with high social vulnerability, potentially facing greater impacts during emergencies and disasters. This tool is instrumental in guiding targeted efforts in preparedness, response, and recovery, and in understanding the unique challenges certain communities may face, such as evacuation difficulties due to lack of transportation.
The SVI utilizes 16 variables, including factors like education level, presence of disabilities, and access to transportation, to calculate a community’s vulnerability score. This score ranges from 0 to 1, where higher scores indicate increased vulnerability. The evaluation is percentile-based, with communities in the top 10% (above the 90th percentile) for a variable scoring a 1, denoting high vulnerability, and those in the bottom 10% scoring a 0. Additionally, the SVI categorizes these 16 variables into four distinct themes, providing deeper insights into specific vulnerability aspects, shown in the figure below. These themes and their constituent variables offer a nuanced understanding of a community's resilience and ability to handle disasters, both in terms of human impact and financial consequences.
Source CDC
Fresno County has one of the highest Social Vulnerability Index in the state of California at .9649, which is very high. These factors of social vulnerability hold many implications for disaster response and recovery and are important considerations when identifying and prioritizing mitigation actions and overall goals and objectives of the plan. The table below describes how disasters can Figure 65. CDC Social Vulnerability Index
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disproportionately impact communities that identify with the SVI indicators and SVI themes described above.
Table 100. Measures of Fresno County's Social Vulnerability SVI Themes Inequities in Disasters1
Socioeconomic Status
Economically disadvantaged populations are disproportionately affected by disasters. The poor are less likely to have the income or assets needed to prepare for a possible disaster or to recover after a disaster Although the monetary value of their property may be less than that of other households, it likely represents a larger proportion of total household assets. For these households, lost property is proportionately more expensive to replace, especially without homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. Moreover, unemployed persons do not have employee benefits plans that provide income and health cost assistance in the event of personal injury or death. High-income populations, on the other hand, may suffer higher household losses in absolute terms, yet find their overall position mitigated by insurance policies, financial investments, and stable employment.
Household Characteristics
Household composition is defined here to include dependent children less than 18 years of age, persons aged 65 years and older, and single-parent households. Also included are people with disabilities. People in any of these categories are more likely to require financial support, transportation, medical care, or assistance with ordinary daily activities during disasters. Children and elders are the most vulnerable groups in disaster events.
Children, especially in the youngest age groups, cannot protect themselves during a disaster because they lack the necessary resources, knowledge, or life experiences to effectively cope with the situation. Perhaps because parental responsibility for children is assumed, children are rarely incorporated into disaster-scenario exercises. Thus, local authorities are not adequately prepared to provide specific goods or services for children.
Elders living alone and people of any age having physical, sensory, or cognitive challenges are also likely to be more vulnerable to disasters. Many older or disabled people have special needs that require the assistance of others. Family members or neighbors who would ordinarily look in on an elder, or a caretaker responsible for the welfare of a disabled person, might be less able to do so during a crisis or may find the magnitude of the task beyond their capability. The number of traditional households of two parents and children has decreased in the United States. In addition to the usually lower socioeconomic status of single-parent households, such households are especially vulnerable in a disaster because all daily caretaker responsibility falls to the one parent.
Racial & Ethnic Minority
Status
The social and economic marginalization and discrimination of certain racial and ethnic groups, including real estate discrimination, has rendered these populations more vulnerable at all stages of disaster. African Americans; Native Americans; and populations of Asian, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic origin are correlated with higher vulnerability rates. In recent decades, the numbers of persons immigrating to the United States from Latin America and Asia have substantially increased. Many immigrants are not fluent in English, and literacy rates for some groups are lower. Communities that have limited English proficiency, disaster communication is made increasingly difficult. This difficulty is especially true in communities whose first language is neither English nor Spanish and for whom translators and accurate translations of advisories may be scarce.
Immigrants are likelier to rely on relatives and local social networks (i.e., friends and neighbors) for information.
Housing Type &
Transportation
Housing quality is an important factor in evaluating disaster vulnerability. It is closely tied to personal wealth; that is, people in poverty often live in more poorly constructed houses or mobile homes that are especially vulnerable to natural hazards such as strong storms or earthquakes. Mobile homes are not designed to withstand severe weather or flooding, high wind, and typically do not have basements. They are frequently found outside of metropolitan areas and, therefore, may not be readily accessible by interstate highways
1 A Social Vulnerability Index for Disaster Management (cdc.gov) https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/img/pdf/Flanagan_2011_SVIforDisasterManagement-508.pdf
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SVI Themes Inequities in Disasters1
or public transportation. Also, because mobile homes are often clustered in communities, their overall vulnerability is increased. Multi-unit housing in densely populated urban areas also poses a heightened risk for tenants. Population densities of cities are much higher than those of suburban or rural areas. People living in high-rise apartments are particularly vulnerable to overcrowding when funneled into a limited number of exit stairwells. Furthermore, large numbers of people exiting in the street can make safe and orderly evacuation of everyone difficult and dangerous. Crowding within housing units exacerbates these difficulties. Rates of automobile ownership are generally lower in urban areas, especially among inner city poor populations. Thus, transportation out of an evacuation zone is difficult for people who do not have access to a vehicle. For some people, fuel costs may prevent vehicle use. At the same time, lower urban auto- ownership rates do not necessarily translate into easy evacuation for people with vehicles because the high-population densities of cities can cause severe traffic congestion on interstate highways and other major roads. Populations residing in group quarters such as college dormitories, farm workers’ dormitories, psychiatric institutions, and prisons also present special concerns during evacuation. Residents of nursing homes and long-term care facilities are especially vulnerable because of their special and timely needs and because of understaffing in these institutions in emergencies. Moreover, many institutions can be unprepared to quickly remove their entire staff and residents under conditions that require specialized vehicles
Source: CDC, SVI
Table 101. Fresno County Social Vulnerability Demographic Information by City
Total Population
2022 Estimate*
Total Housing
Units
2020
% Females
% Under Age 18
% Age 65 and
Over
% Speak
Language Other
than English in
Home**
% Individuals
Below Poverty
Level**
Median Value ($),
Single-Family
Owner-Occupied
Homes**
United
States 333,271,411 143,786,655 50.4 21.7 17.3 21.7 11.5 281,900 California 39,040,616 14,627,460 49.9 21.8 15.8 43.9 12.2 659,300 Fresno
County 1,015,190 345,493 49.7 27.6 12.9 44.1 18.6 338,200 Clovis 124,556 43,954 51.3 28.9 13.1 24.0 8.4 420,700
Coalinga 17,024 4,658 40.3 23.6 10.9 46.8 18.7 226,000
Firebaugh 8,418 2,225 49.9 35.0 12.6 80.0 43.3 221,000
Fowler 7,154 2,133 53.5 29.6 13.8 43.8 21.0 339,700
Fresno 545,567 184,226 50.1 27.8 11.9 43.2 22.1 321,800 Huron 6,240 1,610 48.9 34.1 2.9 89.5 32.1 234,500
Kerman 16,208 4,512 50.6 32.9 7.6 72.7 21.9 297,900
Kingsburg 12,613 4,415 53.3 25.9 17.4 19.6 9.6 335,300
Mendota 12,618 2,875 48.3 38.5 6.5 87.3 32.7 236,700
Orange
Cove 9,525 2,481 48.3 37.8 6.1 84.1 46.5 208,000
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Total Population
2022 Estimate*
Total Housing
Units
2020
% Females
% Under Age 18
% Age 65 and
Over
% Speak
Language Other
than English in
Home**
% Individuals
Below Poverty
Level**
Median Value ($),
Single-Family
Owner-Occupied
Homes**
Parlier 14,554 3,853 49.6 32.4 8.2 80.9 27.4 216,200
Reedley 25,441 7,247 51.0 30.3 10.3 62.5 16.0 268,900
San
Joaquin 3,701 937 52.2 42.5 5.4 82.1 33.2 103,100
Sanger 26,600 7,787 47.4 29.2 10.7 52.0 15.9 325,200
Selma 24,430 7,224 48.5 26.8 11.6 51.3 21.2 251,300
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
The California Environmental Protection Agency developed a tool called CalEnviroScreen to identify communities most impacted by poverty and pollution. The Senate Bill 535 Disadvantaged Communities map identifies census tracts that have an overall CalEnviroScreen score of 75 or above, meaning they are among the top 25 percent most vulnerable and burdened by pollution in the state. In Fresno County, most of the western portion of the county’s census tracts are identified as disadvantaged communities, shown in the figure below.
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VULNERABILITY OF FRESNO COUNTY TO SPECIFIC HAZARDS
The Disaster Mitigation Act regulations require the HMPC to evaluate the risks associated with each of the hazards identified in the planning process. This section summarizes the possible impacts and quantifies, where data permits, the County’s vulnerability to each of the hazards. Where specific hazards vary across the County vulnerability is broken out by jurisdiction where feasible; additional information can be found in the jurisdictional annexes. The hazards evaluated further as part of this vulnerability assessment include, in alphabetical order:
▪ Agricultural Hazards
▪ Avalanche
▪ Dam Failure
▪ Drought
o Tree Mortality
▪ Earthquake
▪ Flood
o Levee Failure
Human Health Hazards
▪ Pandemic
▪ West Nile Virus
Soil Hazards
▪ Erosion
▪ Expansive Soil
▪ Land Subsidence
▪ Landslide
▪ Volcano
▪ Wildfire
Severe Weather
▪ Extreme Temperatures
▪ Extreme Cold/Freeze
▪ Extreme Heat
▪ Fog
▪ Heavy Rain/Thunderstorm/Hail/Lightning
▪ Windstorm
▪ Winter Storm
▪ Tornado
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Prioritizing hazards plays a crucial role in helping communities establish objectives and mitigation strategies based on their vulnerabilities. Fresno County employed the Risk Factor (RF) methodology, as described below, to assess and rank hazards according to their threat levels. This ranking underwent scrutiny and evaluation by the HMPC and all stakeholders during the Draft Plan Review phase.
The RF methodology generates numerical values that facilitate the comparison of identified hazards.
These values reflect the relative risk posed by each hazard, with higher RF values indicating a greater level of hazard risk. RF values are determined by attributing varying degrees of risk to five categories for each hazard: probability, impact, spatial extent, warning time, and duration. Each degree of risk within these categories is assigned a value ranging from 1 to 4, accompanied by a corresponding weighting factor. The RF approach is summarized in the table below. To calculate the RF value for a particular hazard, one must multiply the assigned risk value for each category by its respective weighting factor. The summation of these values across all five categories yields the final RF value, as illustrated in the following example equation:
Table 102. Risk Factor Methodology
Risk
Assessment
Category
Degree of Risk Weight Value
Level Criteria Index
Probability:
What is the
likelihood of a
hazard event
occurring in a
given year?
Unlikely
Possible
Likely
Highly Likely
Less than 1% annual probability
Between 1% and 49.9% annual
probability
Between 50% and 90% annual
probability
Greater than 90% annual probability
1 2
3 4
30%
Impact: In
terms of
injuries,
damage, or
death, would
you anticipate
impacts to be
minor, limited,
critical, or
catastrophic
when a
significant
hazard event
occurs?
Minor
Limited
Critical
Catastrophic
Very few injuries, if any. Only minor
property damage and minimal
disruption on quality of life.
Temporary shutdown of critical
facilities.
Minor injuries. More than 10% of
property in affected area damaged
or destroyed. Complete shutdown of
critical facilities for more than one
day.
Multiple deaths / injuries possible.
More than 25% of property in
affected area damaged or
destroyed. Complete shutdown of
critical facilities for more than a
week.
High number of deaths / injuries
possible. More than 50% of property
in affected area damaged or
destroyed. Complete shutdown of
critical facilities for 30 days or more.
1 2
3 4
30%
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Risk
Assessment
Category
Degree of Risk Weight Value
Level Criteria Index
Spatial Extent:
How large of an
area could be
impacted by a
hazard event?
Are impacts
localized or
regional?
Negligible
Small
Moderate
Large
Less than 1% of area affected
Between 1% and 10.9% of area
affected
Between 11% and 25% of area
affected
Greater than 25% of area affected
1 2
3 4
20%
Warning Time:
Is there usually
some lead -time
associated with
the hazard
event? Have
warning
measures been
implemented?
More than 24
hours
12 to 24 hours
6 to 12 hours
Less than 6
hours
Self-
Defined
Self-
Defined
Self-
Defined
Self-
Defined
Note: Levels of warning
time and criteria that
define them may be
adjusted based on the
hazard addressed.
1 2
3 4
10%
Duration: How
long does the
hazard event
usually last?
Less than 6
hours
Less than 24
hours
Less than 1
week
More than 1
week
Self-
Defined
Self-
Defined
Self-
Defined
Self-
Defined
Note: Levels of warning
time and criteria that
define them may be
adjusted based on the
hazard addressed.
1 2
3 4
10%
A summary of the vulnerability of the County to each identified hazard is provided in each of the hazard-specific sections that follow. Vulnerability generally reflects the hazard significance rating which is also summarized in Section 4.1.1 Table 4.1. Vulnerability/Significance is measured in a summary of the potential impact based on past occurrences, spatial extent, likelihood of future occurrences and impacts (damage and casualty potential). It is categorized into the following classifications:
▪ Low: Minimal potential impact. The occurrence and potential cost of damage to life and property is minimal.
▪ Medium: Moderate potential impact. This ranking carries a moderate threat level to the general population and/or built environment. The potential damage is more isolated and less costly than a more widespread disaster.
▪ High: Widespread potential impact. This ranking carries a high threat to the general population and/or built environment. The potential for damage is widespread. Hazards in this category may have occurred in the past.
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VULNERABILITY TO AVALANCHES (LOW)
PEOPLE
Although future avalanches are likely to occur, the spatial extent is limited, and the magnitude is low.
Therefore, avalanches are a low significance hazard in the County. It is public safety that is most threatened by this hazard. Outdoor recreationalists who travel into backcountry areas are most at risk.
Additionally, while road closures help to mitigate impacts to travelers in avalanche-prone areas, snowplow drivers can still be exposed while clearing roads of snow or avalanche debris.
PROPERTY
In general, structures located below an area at high risk to avalanches are likely to be exposed to the impacts of an avalanche, but no instances of this were known based on available data.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
There are not any known critical facilities likely to be exposed to the impacts of an avalanche.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Avalanches can erode topsoil, cover the environment with debris, and damage surrounding vegetation.
For the most part the environment is resilient and would be able to rebound from whatever damages occurred, though this process could take years.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Avalanche vulnerability could increase somewhat with future development and population growth as there will be a higher number of people driving on roadways and taking part in backcountry recreation.
It is unlikely that risk to structures will increase as long as future development is planned outside of mapped or suspected avalanche hazard zones. As such, the County holds a policy, Policy HS-A.4:
Critical Emergency Response Facility Siting, to ensure that critical emergency response facilities such as hospitals, fire stations, sheriff’s offices and substations, dispatch centers, emergency operations centers, and other emergency service facilities and utilities are sites and designed to minimize their exposure and susceptibility to hazards like fire and avalanche. Policy HS-D.12 ensure that new development is not located in avalanche hazard areas.
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VULNERABILITY TO AGRICULTURAL HAZARDS (HIGH)
Given the importance of agriculture to Fresno County, agricultural hazards continue to be an ongoing concern. The primary causes of agricultural losses are severe weather events, such as drought and freeze, excessive rain, moisture, and humidity, and hail. According to the HMPC, agricultural losses occur on an annual basis throughout the County and are usually associated with these severe weather events. Recently, the COVID-19 caused massive interruptions to farms based on the spread of the virus, social distancing measures, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions. Farms lost millions of dollars due to disruptions in the whole supply chain system.
PEOPLE
The largest impact to people from a widespread crop loss is pressure on the food supply and distribution. Impacts to the local economy could be substantial as Fresno County is one of the top agricultural producing counties in California, exporting across the United States and internally.
Agricultural jobs account for about 20 percent of all jobs in the Fresno area. Natural hazards causing losses to the agricultural industry will impact agricultural employment and cause secondary impacts to income, housing, and food security. Some animal diseases can be transmitted to people which could pose a public health concern as well. In the case of natural hazards and epidemics/pandemics, farmworkers can be exposed and be at risk for injury and death due to high heat events, poor air quality, and infectious diseases.
PROPERTY
The greatest impact to property from an agricultural hazard is crop damage and loss. In the latest Fresno County Agricultural Crop and Livestock Report, the total gross value of agricultural commodities in 2021 was over $8 billion. Loss of livestock and poultry can also be significant. The economic value of total damaged or lost crops could range in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Agricultural hazards including fires, crops, and livestock disease, noxious weeds, and contamination of animal food and water supply can significantly alter the natural environment. Fresno County is particularly threatened by several insects that can cause severe economic and environmental harm to the agricultural industry. Noxious weeds can have negative effects on the natural environment including loss of wildlife habitat and reduced wildfire numbers, loss of native plant species, increased soil erosion and topsoil loss, and diminished water quality and fish habitat.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Agricultural hazards would most likely not have an impact on critical facilities. However, mass mortality of animals could stress local rendering plants.
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Fresno County recognizes the importance of reducing the conversion of productive agricultural land, therefore the county has enacted policies to sustain agriculture and its activities to preserve and maintain productivity, while also controlling expansion of non-agricultural development onto productive agricultural lands. Details on the policies that Fresno County has adopted to protect agricultural lands are described in more detail within the Fresno County General Plan.
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VULNERABILITY TO DAM FAILURE (HIGH)
A dam failure can range from a small, uncontrolled release to a catastrophic failure. Vulnerability to dam failures is confined to the areas subject to inundation downstream of the facility. Secondary losses would include loss of the multi-use functions of the dam itself and associated revenues that accompany those functions.
PEOPLE
Persons located underneath or downstream of a dam are at risk of a dam failure, though the level of risk can be tempered by topography, amount of water in the reservoir and time of day of the breach.
Injuries and fatalities can occur from debris, bodily injury and drowning. Once the dam has breached, standing water presents all the same hazards to people as floodwater from other sources. People in the inundated area may need to be evacuated, cared for, provided temporary shelter, and possibly permanently relocated. Specific population impacts are noted in the following section.
PROPERTY
In general, communities located below a dam and along a waterway are potentially exposed to the impacts of a dam failure. Specific inundation maps and risk information are included in the dam- specific emergency action plans. Due to the sensitive nature of this information, it is not included in this plan. Inundation maps that identify anticipated flooded areas (which may not coincide with known floodplains) are produced for all high hazard dams and are contained in the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) required for each dam. However, the information contained in those plans is considered sensitive and is not widely distributed. For reference, high hazard dams threaten lives and property, significant hazard dams threaten property only.
The potential impacts from a dam failure in the County and its municipalities are largely dependent on the specific dam or area in question. Generally, any buildings or other infrastructure located in a dam inundation area is vulnerable to the impacts from rising waters.
Dam failure flooding can occur as the result of partial or complete collapse of an impoundment. Dam failures often result from prolonged rainfall and flooding causing overtopping of the structure. The primary danger associated with dam failure is the high velocity flooding of those properties downstream of the dam.
According to the Fresno County Operational Area Dam Failure Evacuation Plan, of the 23 dams with a potential to impact the planning area four of them pose the greatest threat should a failure occur: Big Dry, Fancher Creek, Friant, and Pine Flat. According to the plan, a catastrophic failure of any of these dams could have a significant impact on Fresno County. Some jurisdictions are more at risk to dam failure than others. The City of Clovis and the City of Fresno are the most vulnerable, with three and five high hazard dams respectively. Centerville, Firebaugh, Friant, and Sanger also have a high hazard dam located within their boundaries. The failure of any of these dams would cause downstream flooding and would likely result in loss of life and property. The potential magnitude of a dam failure depends on the time of year and the base flow of the river when the failure occurs. During the winter months, when the river flows are higher, the impact to the area would be much greater and evacuation times much less. A list of dams that have the potential to impact Fresno County is described in Figure 100. Major Dams with Potential to Impact the Fresno County Planning Area
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Dam Stream Capacity (Acre-Feet) Population
Threatened
Balch Afterbay North Fork Kings River 318 20
Balch Diversion North Fork Kings River 1,295 20
Balsam Meadow West Fork Balsam Creek 2,040 319
Big Creek No. 4 Big Creek 100 244
Big Creek No. 6 San Joaquin River 993 104
Big Creek No. 7 San Joaquin River 35,000 713
Big Dry 1017 Big Dry Creek/ Dog Creek 30,200 266,502
Courtright Helms Creek 123,300 20
Crane Valley North Fork Willow Creek 45,410 142
Fancher Creek Fancher Creek & Hog
Creek 9,600 134,775
Florence Lake South Fork San Joaquin
River 64,406 822
Friant San Joaquin River 520,500 75,184
Giffen Reservoir Tributary Holland Creek 900 98
Hume Lake Ten Mile Creek 1,410 57
Huntington Lake Big Creek 88,834 1,018
Little Panoche Little Panoche Creek 5,580 459
Mammoth Pool San Joaquin River 123,000 817
Pine Flat Kings River 1,000,000 143,678
Redbank Redbank Creek 1,100 947
Sequoia Lake Mill Flat Creek 1,370 27
Shaver Lake Stevenson Creek 135,283 863
Vermilion Valley Mono Creek 125,000 822
Wishon North Fork Kings River 118,000 20
Source: Fresno County Operational Area Dam Failure Evacuation Plan, 2003
Dam failure flooding would vary by community depending on which dam fails and the nature and extent of the dam failure and associated flooding. Based on the risk assessment, it is apparent that a major dam failure could have a devastating impact on the planning area. Dam failure flooding presents a threat to life and property, including buildings, their contents, and their use. Large flood events can affect crops and livestock as well as lifeline utilities (e.g., water, sewerage, and power), transportation, jobs, tourism, the environment, and the local and regional economies.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Dam failure effects on the environment would be similar to those caused by flooding from other causes.
Water could erode stream channels and topsoil and cover the environment with debris. For the most part the environment is resilient and would be able to rebound from whatever damages occurred, though this process could take years.
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CRITICAL FACILITIES
A total dam failure can cause catastrophic impacts to areas downstream of the water body, including critical infrastructure. Any critical asset located under the dam in an inundation area would be susceptible to the impact of a dam failure. Of particular risk would be roads and bridges that could be vulnerable to washouts, further complicating response, and recovery by cutting off impacted areas. Risk to specific facilities is considered sensitive information but is detailed in the Fresno County Operational Area Dam Failure Evacuation Plan.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Areas slated for future development should take into consideration potential impacts from dam failure risk upstream. Policy HS-C.20 states that the County shall consider dam failure inundation maps of all reservoirs in making land use and related decisions. In the case of a dam failure, inundation would likely follow some existing FEMA mapped floodplains, which contains development restrictions for areas in the 1 percent annual chance floodplain, but it could exceed those floodplains and affect areas that are not regulated for flood hazards. Also of note is that development below a low hazard dam could increase its hazard rating.
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VULNERABILITY TO DROUGHT (HIGH)
Drought is a common hazard in the state of California. California has experienced significant dry periods. Drought is a gradual process, occurring slowly over a period. A drought is a period of drier- than-normal conditions that results in water-related problems. When rainfall is less than normal for several weeks, months, or years, the flow of streams and rivers declines, water levels in lakes and reservoirs fall, and the depth to water in wells increases. If dry weather persists and water-supply problems develop, the dry period can become a drought.
PEOPLE
The historical and potential impacts of drought on populations include agricultural sector job loss, secondary economic losses to local businesses and public recreational resources, increased cost to local and state government for large-scale water acquisition and delivery, and water rationing and water wells running dry for individuals and families. During 2021, many residents in the Fresno area owed over $15 million on late water bills. More than 76,000 customers in the central San Joaquin Valley were behind on their bills. Systems serving population with higher rates of poverty and more people of color often have higher number of past-due accounts. For example, 96 percent of households in the majority- Latino town of Mendota are behind on their water bill compared to 6 percent in Clovis, which is predominately non-Latino and white. 2
Drought can affect population health and can pose health implications. As drought is often accompanied by prolonged periods of extreme heat, negative health impacts such as dehydration can also occur, where children and elderly are most susceptible. Air quality often declines in times of drought which can affect those with respiratory ailments. Due to the long duration in which drought can form, health implications from drought can be seen both in the short-term and in the long-term such as:
• Water Quality and Quantity
o Drought can reduce the water supply impacting not only households and businesses but especially disproportionately impacted communities. Water quality can be compromised due to increased salinity, increased algal production, less dilution, and reduced oxygen levels in the water system.
• Food and Nutrition
o Drought can create dry conditions and impact the food quality, supply, and distribution to communities which can cause malnutrition.
• Air Quality
o Drought increases the risk for wildfires and dust storms. Particulate matter from these poor air quality events and particulate matter can irritate the lungs and exacerbate chronic heart and lung conditions.
• Sanitation and Hygiene
o Water shortage due to drought can impact available clean water for cleaning, sanitation, and hygiene which can reduce or control disease.
• Recreational Risks
2 Residents in Fresno CA area owe $15 million in water debt | Fresno Bee https://www.fresnobee.com/fresnoland/article249129100.html
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o Individuals who engage with water-related recreational activities during drought can be at increased risk for waterborne disease caused by bacteria, protozoa, and other contaminants such as chemicals and heavy metals.
• Infectious Disease
o Drought often creates drier conditions which can increase the risk of disease (i.e., Valley Fever)
• Chronic Disease
o Drought can cause adverse health impacts for individuals with certain chronic health conditions such as asthma and some immune disorders.
The burden of drought impacts on communities varies depending on age, socioeconomic status, access to health care, and gender. 3 Especially water shortage as the cost of water will increase based on the lower supply and higher demand, which can be very difficult for low-income communities for example.
Regarding tree mortality, in particular, Fresno County’s tree mortality risk and fallen tree occurrences has resulted in the closure of numerous roads most notably in parks, forest land, and outdoor recreation areas: In 2016, 20 to 30 campgrounds were closed as well as Kings Canyon National Park due to tree mortality risks to public safety. The risk is especially high between May and October, due to a dramatic influx of campers and other outdoor enthusiasts.
PROPERTY
The historical and potential impacts of drought on property include crop loss, injury and death of livestock and pets, and damage to infrastructure, homes and other buildings resulting from the secondary drought impact of land subsidence. As a related drought impact, tree mortality has resulted in potentially vulnerable critical infrastructure property as these trees become more susceptible to falling with time. The following tables show the results of analysis for tree mortality related to property exposure. In both the incorporated and unincorporated parts of the county, there are 6,657 structures, valued at close to $360 million, with $112 million in contents located within the Tier I tree mortality hazard area. Tier II tree mortality only effects the unincorporated parts of Fresno County, with 11,799 buildings and $467 million in exposure.
Table 103. Fresno County Assets in Tier I Tree Mortality Hazard Areas Jurisdiction Property
Type
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value
Coalinga Unknown 20 11 $0 $0 $0
Unincorporated
Agricultural 40 3 $594,727 $3,180,922 $3,775,649
Church 1 1 $245,547 $115,092 $360,639
Outlot &
Common Area 6 7 $0 $762 $762
3 Health Implications of Drought | CDC https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drought/implications.htm
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Jurisdiction Property
Type
Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value
Primary Use
Not
Designated
5,766 4,217 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 4 4 $248,607 $94,419 $343,026
Single-Family
Residence 472 213 $245,127,811 $74,719,520 $319,847,311 Vacant 348 109 $822,809 $34,652,188 $35,679,397
Grand Total 6,657 4,560 $247,039,501 $112,762,903 $360,006,804
Table 104. Fresno County Assets in Tier II Tree Mortality Hazard Areas Jurisdiction Property
Type
Parcel
Count
Building
County
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value
Unincorporated
Agricultural 394 232 $12,244,091 $20,801,500 $33,051,391 Apartments 1 2 $15,767 $68,235 $84,092
Church 3 6 $842,791 $212,837 $1,055,628
Commercial 5 3 $2,172,891 $698,766 $2,871,657
Industrial 3 0 $0 $1,193,862 $1,193,862
Office/
Professional
Space
2 8 $201,468 $21,246 $222,714
Primary Use
Not
Designated
223 10,604 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 6 5 $296,685 $463,558 $760,243
Single-Family
Residence 760 752 $284,554,609 $94,077,864 $378,632,473 Vacant 629 179 $1,712,710 $47,372,288 $49,289,398
Total 2,034 11,799 $302,041,012 $164,911,258 $467,162,470
In addition to tree mortality hazards, several examples of agricultural impacts shape drought vulnerability and potential losses. Drought is linked to declines in crop yields, increasing costs, and decreasing crop profitability. Drought can result in regional losses of crops and can stress the statewide water supply. Crops such as rice, alfalfa, almonds, and pistachios are dependent on high depths of water and subsequently higher water intensity needs. Almonds and pistachios account for two of the top three most economically productive crops within Fresno County. According to Fresno County asset managers, recent drought led to a decrease in agricultural productivity in the county, as water scarcity has increased. 4
In the 2021 crop year, California’s farms, ranches and plant nurseries earned $51.1 billion in cash receipts, representing a 3.6 percent increase over the prior year. However, due to supply chain
4 fcgpr_general-plan_prd-county_redline_2024-01-12_1.pdf (fresnocountyca.gov) https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/files/sharedassets/county/v/1/public-works-and-planning/development- services/planning-and-land-use/general-plan-review-comments/fcgpr_general-plan_prd-county_redline_2024-01-12_1.pdf
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disruptions that have increased the cost of farm inputs, this gain in cash receipts does not necessarily equate to margins – they have been squeezed by higher costs.5
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
The historical and potential impacts of drought on the natural environment are widespread throughout public and private lands within the County, including tree mortality, impacts to all flora and fauna, and destabilization (erosion, subsidence) of land along streams and rivers, and within watersheds.
One of the core issues shaping the long-term impacts of drought in Fresno County and throughout California is water supply and demand. Several factors play into the issue including groundwater basins, surface water run-off, public and agricultural demand, and surface water storage water sheds.
In the State 2022 Annual Water Supply and Demand Assessment Summary Report, released November 2022, the Tulare Lake Hydrologic Region, which encompasses Fresno County, reported 78 percent of urban water suppliers reporting no shortages (21 suppliers), 22 percent shortage addressed fully by actions (6 supplies). However, 18 percent of urban water suppliers (6 suppliers) in the hydrologic region did not report their status. Overall, most of the hydraulic regions report no water shortages or are taking actions to address shortages, which is encouraging to reducing drought impacts to the region. In fact, this report was part of the first-year annual water shortage assessment reporting requirements to strive for successful water management planning and effect water shortage contingency planning in ensuring water supply reliability and drought resiliency.6 While the State of California struggled with water supply and demand due to a three-year drought (2020-2023), in the past year, drought conditions have alleviated across much of the state due to heavy precipitation from winter storms and atmospheric rivers. In order to continue to mitigate drought impacts, the state has committed more than 8.6 billion dollars in expanding water storage capacity, reducing water demand, improving forecasting, data, and water management, and developing new water supplies. 7
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Drought impacts to critical facilities include water shortfalls for facility operations and critical functions, and potential structural destabilization and damage resulting from land subsidence. As a related drought impact, tree mortality has resulted in potentially vulnerable critical infrastructure as these trees become more susceptible to falling with time. The unincorporated county is the only area with critical facilities at risk to tree mortality. Table 105. Critical Facilities within the Tree Mortality Tier I Summary below summarizes the types of facilities at-risk while Table 106. Critical Facilities within the Tree Mortality Tier I in the Unincorporated County provides more details. In addition to the schools and fire stations in Tier I, there is one public works facility and two buildings of the Sheriff’s Office located in the Tier II hazard areas shown in Table 107. Critical Facilities within the Tree Mortality Tier II Summary.
5 California Agriculture Statistics Review 2021-2022 https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Statistics/PDFs/2022_Ag_Stats_Review.pdf 6 2022 ANNUAL WATER SUPPLY AND DEMAND ASSESSMENT SUMMARY REPORT (ca.gov) https://water.ca.gov/- /media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/Water-Use-And-Efficiency/Urban-Water-Use-Efficiency/Annual-Water-Supply- and-Demand-Assessment/FINAL-DWR-2022-AWSDA-Report-to-SWB_11-22-22.pdf 7 California Continues Progress to Boost Water Supplies and Build Resilience Amid Extreme Weather | California Governor https://www.gov.ca.gov/2023/10/16/california-continues-progress-to-boost-water-supplies-and-build-resilience-amid- extreme-weather/
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Table 105. Critical Facilities within the Tree Mortality Tier I Summary Jurisdiction Facility Type Counts
Unincorporated
Fire 8
School 7
Total 15
Table 106. Critical Facilities within the Tree Mortality Tier I in the Unincorporated County Jurisdiction Facility Type Name
Unincorporated
Fire Station Bald Mountain Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Station Big Creek Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Station Fresno County Fire Protection District - Shaver Lake Fire Station Hume Lake Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company Fire Station Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Station Huntington Lake Volunteer Fire Department Station 2 Fire Station Pine Ridge Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Station Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department
School Big Creek Elementary
School Hammer Mountain School
School Hume Lake Charter
School Pine Ridge Elementary
School Pole Corral Elementary School
Table 107. Critical Facilities within the Tree Mortality Tier II Summary Jurisdiction Facility Type Counts
Unincorporated
School 19
Fire Station 13
Department of Public Works 1
Sheriff 2
Total 35
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Because future development encompasses all forms of property, buildings, infrastructure, critical facilities and all related populations and their functions, drought impacts to future development align with the historical and potential impacts to populations, property, natural environment, and critical facilities discussed (above). Additionally, the Fresno County general plan outlines policies that encourage overall drought mitigation, adaptation, and resiliency to reduce risk to the community. Some policies include EJ-A.13 which states that landscaping for new industrial development shall use drought tolerant species with low biogenic emissions.
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VULNERABILITY TO EARTHQUAKE (MEDIUM)
An earthquake occurs when two blocks of the earth suddenly slip past one another creating a vibration through the release of energy in the earth’s crust. The vibrations that are generated are called “seismic waves”. The surface where they slip is called the fault or fault plane. Earthquakes can result in ground shaking, soil liquefaction, landslides, fissures, avalanches, fires, and tsunamis. Additionally, earthquakes can cause buildings to collapse and cause heavy items to fall, resulting in injuries and property damage. Earthquakes can occur anywhere and at any time.
PEOPLE AND PROPERTY
Earthquake vulnerability is primarily based on population and the built environment. Urban areas in high seismic hazard zones are the most vulnerable, while uninhabited areas are less vulnerable. The California Geological Survey and U.S. Geological Survey have done considerable work using GIS to identify populations in high seismic hazard zones in every California County.
Ground shaking is the primary earthquake hazard. Many factors affect the survivability of structures and systems from earthquake-caused ground motions. These factors include proximity to the fault, direction of rupture, epicentral location and depth, magnitude, local geologic and soils conditions, types and quality of construction, building configurations and heights, and comparable factors that relate to utility, transportation, and other network systems. Ground motions become structurally damaging when average peak accelerations reach 10 to 15 percent of gravity, average peak velocities reach 8 to 12 centimeters per second, and when the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is about VII (18-34 percent peak ground acceleration), which is considered to be very strong (general alarm; walls crack; plaster falls).
Fault rupture itself contributes very little to damage unless the structure or system element crosses the active fault. In general, newer construction is more earthquake resistant than older construction because of improved building codes and their enforcement. Manufactured housing is very susceptible to damage because rarely are their foundation systems braced for earthquake motions. Locally generated earthquake motions, even from very moderate events, tend to be more damaging to smaller buildings, especially those constructed of unreinforced masonry, as was seen in the Oroville, Coalinga, Santa Cruz, and Paso Robles earthquakes.
Common impacts from earthquakes include damage to infrastructure and buildings (e.g., crumbling of unreinforced masonry, failure of architectural facades, rupturing of underground utilities, and road closures). Earthquakes also frequently trigger secondary hazards, such as dam failures, landslides and rock falls, explosions, and fires that can become disasters themselves.
HAZUS
Earthquake losses will vary across the Fresno County planning area depending on the source and magnitude of the event. Three earthquake scenarios were used for the planning area. The three earthquake scenarios include The Great Valley M7.1, Round Valley M7.1, and White Mountain M7.4.
The earthquake shake maps for each scenario are described in the maps below.
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Figure 66. Shake Map for Great Valley Coalinga M7.1 Scenario
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Figure 67. Shake Map for Round Valley M7.1 Scenario
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Figure 68. Shake Map for White Mountain M7.4 Scenario
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The geographical size of the planning area is 6,013,58 square miles and contains 225 census tracts.
There are over 319,000 households in the region which has a population of 1,008,654 people. There are an estimated 299 thousand buildings in the region with a total building replacement value (excluding contents) of $160,304,000. Approximately 89 percent of the buildings (and 61 percent of the building value) are associated with residential housing. The replacement value of the transportation and utility lifeline systems are estimated to be $12,169,000 and $27,843,000.
Building Inventory
HAZUS estimates that there are 299,000 buildings in the region that have an aggregate replacement value of $160,304,000. Regarding building construction types found in the region, wood frame construction makes up 86 percent of the building inventory. The remaining percentage is distributed between the other general building types.
Transportation and Utility Lifeline Inventory
There are seven transportation systems that include highways, railways, light rail, bus, ports, ferry, and airports. There are six utility systems that include potable water, wastewater, natural gas, crude & refined oil, electric power and communications. The lifeline inventory data are provided in the table below. The total value of the lifeline inventory is over $40,012,000. This inventory includes over 813.13 miles of highways, 897 bridges, 21.321.72 miles of pipes.
Table 108. Transportation System Lifeline Inventory
System Component Number of Locations
& Segments
Replacement value
(millions of dollars)
Highway
Bridges 897 2645.6197
Segments 362 6637.6252
Tunnels 0 0
Subtotal 9283.2449
Railways
Bridges 96 546.2400
Facilities 9 23.9670
Segments 126 2128.1232
Tunnels 0 0
Subtotal 2698.3302
Light Rail
Bridges 0 0
Facilities 0 0
Segments 0 0
Tunnels 0 0
Subtotal 0
Bus
Facilities 1 2.1666
Subtotal 2.1666
Ferry
Facilities 0 0
Subtotal 0
Port
Facilities 0 0
Subtotal 0
Airport
Facilities 8 118.3667
Runways 11 67.2396
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System Component Number of Locations
& Segments
Replacement value
(millions of dollars)
Subtotal 185.6063
Total 12,169.3
Source: HAZUS
Table 109. Transportation System Lifeline Inventory
System Component Number of Locations
& Segments
Replacement value
(million of dollars)
Portable Water
Distribution Lines N/A 424.2406
Facilities 0 0
Pipelines 0 0
Subtotal 424.2406
Waste Water
Distribution Lines N/A 254.5444
Facilities 4 687.8072
Pipelines 0 0
Subtotal 942.3516
Natural Gas
Distribution Lines N/A 169.6962
Facilities 1 18.2016
Pipelines 62 1321.0466
Subtotal 1508.9444
Oil Systems
Facilities 1 0.1180
Pipelines 0 0
Subtotal 0.1180
Electrical Power
Facilities 60 24962.9942
Subtotal 24962.9942
Communication
Facilities 42 4.9560
Subtotal 4.9560
Total 27,843.60
Source: HAZUS
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Great Valley (Coalinga) M7.1
The social impact from earthquakes can be catastrophic and wide ranging. HAZUS estimates the number of households that are expected to be displaced from their homes due to the earthquake and the number of displaced people that will require accommodations in temporary public shelters. The model estimates 1 household to be displaced due to the earthquake. Of these zero people out of 1,008,654 will seek temporary shelter in public shelters. The table below describes the casualty estimates from the earthquake scenario based on different time periods and type of properties, spaces, or activities.
Table 110. Casualty Estimates for the Great Valley (Coalinga) M7.1 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
2AM
Commercial 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 1.23 0.08 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.71 0.01 0.00 0.00
Total 2 0 0 0
2PM
Commercial 1.85 0.12 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.64 0.04 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.23 0.02 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 0.38 0.03 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3 0 0 0
5PM
Commercial 1.31 0.09 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.10 0.01 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.15 0.01 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 0.44 0.03 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 2 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
The total economic loss estimated for the earthquake is $233,340,000 which includes building and lifeline related losses based on the region’s availability inventory. HAZUS estimates that about 3,007 buildings will be at least moderately damaged. This is over one percent of the buildings in the region.
There are an estimated 99 buildings that will be damaged beyond repair. The tables below summarize
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the expected damage by general building type and estimated damage to utility and transportation systems.
Table 111. Expected Building Damage by Occupancy
None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Occupancy Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Agriculture 2777.97 0.97 367.00 3.45 206.12 8.27 57.09 13.74 12.81 12.81 Commercial 19748.99 6.91 844.85 7.94 352.38 14.14 85.06 20.48 22.72 22.73 Education 568.78 0.20 21.95 0.21 8.50 0.34 2.22 0.53 0.56 0.56 Government 267.98 0.09 13.98 0.12 6.74 0.27 2.28 0.55 0.73 0.73 Industrial 4877.02 1.71 277.51 2.61 145.90 5.86 38.19 9.19 9.38 9.38 Religion 38195.11 13.36 1899.92 17.86 693.98 27.85 150.38 36.20 33.61 33.62 Residential 1418.90 0.50 59.83 0.56 21.70 0.87 5.12 1.23 1.45 1.45 Total 218123.08 76.27 7151.69 67.24 1056.45 42.40 75.05 18.07 18.71 18.72 Subtotal 285,978 10,636 2,492 415 100
Source: HAZUS
Table 112. Expected Building Damage by Building Type (All Design Levels) None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Occupancy Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Wood 247212.84 86.44 8473.68 79.67 1284.86 51.56 90.02 21.67 24.20 24.20 Steel 6868.73 2.40 419.18 3.94 251.32 10.09 74.07 17.83 19.47 19.47 Concrete 6646.89 2.32 308.27 2.90 114.0 4.58 33.36 8.14 9.76 9.76 Precast 5891.61 2.06 330.66 3.11 198.50 7.97 49.36 11.88 10.18 10.19 RM 10114.34 3.54 321.17 3.02 185.56 7.45 51.24 12.34 8.50 8.51 URM 2107.52 0.74 167.38 1.57 76.35 3.06 21.02 5.06 9.60 9.60 MH 7135.90 2.50 615.68 5.79 381.18 15.30 95.86 23.08 18.26 18.27 Total 285,978 10,636 2,492 415 100
Source: HAZUS
RM: Reinforced Masonry
URM: Unreinforced Masonry
MH: Manufactured Housing
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Table 113. Expected Damage to the Transportation Systems System Component
Number of Locations
Locations
and
Segments
With at
least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50%
After Day 1 After Day 7
Highway
Segments 362 0 0 362 362
Bridges 897 3 0 894 897
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Railways
Segments 126 0 0 126 126
Bridges 96 0 0 96 96
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Facilities 9 0 0 9 9
Light Rail
Segments 0 0 0 0 0
Bridges 0 0 0 0 0
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Bus Facilities 1 0 0 1 1
Ferry Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Port Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Airport
Facilities 8 1 0 8 8
Runways 11 0 0 11 11
Source: HAZUS
Table 114. Expected Utility System Facility Damage
System
Number of Location
Total Number
With at Least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50 %
After Day 1 After Day 7
Potable Water 0 0 0 0 0
Waste Water 4 0 0 4 4
Natural Gas 1 0 0 1 1
Oil Systems 1 0 0 1 1
Electrical Power 60 21 0 44 52
Communication 42 1 0 41 42
Source: HAZUS
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Table 115. Expected utility System Pipeline Damage (Site Specific) System Total Pipelines
Length (miles) Number of Leaks Number of Breaks
Potable Water 13,181 1436 359
Waste Water 7,908 721 180
Natural Gas 233 0 0
Oil 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
Table 116. Expected Potable Water and Electric Power System Performance
Total
Number of
households
Number of Households without Service
At Day 1 At Day 3 At Day 7 At Day 30 At Day 90
Potable Water
319,296
4,764 2,905 675 0 0
Electric
Power 5,267 3,647 1,678 190 7
Source: HAZUS
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Round Valley M7.1
The social impact from earthquakes can be catastrophic and wide ranging. HAZUS estimates the number of households that are expected to be displaced from their homes due to the earthquake and the number of displaced people that will require accommodation in temporary public shelters. The model estimates 1 household to be displaced due to the earthquake. Of these zero people out of 1,008,654 will seek temporary shelter in public shelters. The table below describes the casualty estimates from the earthquake scenario based on different time periods and type of properties, spaces, or activities.
Table 117. Casualty Estimates
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
2AM
Commercial 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 1.23 0.08 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.71 0.01 0.00 0.00
Total 2 0 0 0
2PM
Commercial 1.85 0.12 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.64 0.04 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.23 0.02 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 0.38 0.03 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3 0 0 0
5PM
Commercial 1.31 0.09 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.10 0.01 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.15 0.01 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 0.44 0.03 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 2 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
The total economic loss estimated for the earthquake is $233,340,000 which includes building and lifeline related losses based on the region’s available inventory. HAZUS estimates that about 127 buildings will be at least moderately damaged. This is over zero percent of the buildings in the region.
There are an estimate zero buildings that will be damaged beyond repair. The tables below summaries the expected damage by general building type.
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Table 118. Expected Building Damage by Occupancy
Occupancy None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%)
Agriculture 3410.74 1.14 8.18 0.91 1.96 1.60 0.12 2.28 0.00 4.98 Commercial 20934.25 7.01 97.93 10.85 20.88 17.05 0.94 18.10 0.00 25.03 Education 599.79 0.20 1.88 0.21 0.33 0.27 0.01 0.17 0.00 0.23 Government 289.48 0.10 1.26 0.14 0.25 0.20 0.01 0.17 0.00 0.23 Industrial 5311.20 1.78 28.93 3.21 7.46 6.10 0.40 7.78 0.00 4.61 Religion 40611.40 13.60 275.56 30.54 82.41 67.31 3.62 69.84 0.01 57.63 Single Family 1498.27 0.50 7.24 0.80 1.43 1.17 0.06 1.19 0.00 7.39 Total 225935.90 75.67 481.35 53.35 7.72 6.30 0.02 0.46 0.00 0.00 Source: HAZUS
Table 119. Expected Building Damage by Building Type (All Design Levels) None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Occupancy Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Wood 256532.40 85.91 546.50 60.57 6.70 5.47 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.00 Steel 7585.10 2.54 37.45 4.15 9.82 8.02 0.40 7.72 0.00 2.27 Concrete 7073.90 2.37 33.72 3.74 5.02 4.10 0.10 1.97 0.00 0.11 Precast 6436.30 2.16 32.67 3.62 10.72 8.76 0.62 11.99 0.00 6.04 RM 10637.09 3.56 33.38 3.70 10.09 8.24 0.25 4.90 0.00 0.00 URM 2349.10 0.79 25.92 2.87 6.33 5.17 0.51 9.83 0.00 49.25 MH 7977.14 2.67 192.69 21.36 73.75 60.24 3.29 63.57 0.00 42.33 Total 298,591 902 122 5 0
Source: HAZUS
RM: Reinforced Masonry
URM: Unreinforced Masonry
MH: Manufactured Housing
Table 120. Expected Damage to the Transportation Systems System Component
Number of Locations
Locations
and
Segments
With at
least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50%
After Day 1 After Day 7
Highway
Segments 362 0 0 362 362
Bridges 897 0 0 897 897
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Railways Segments 126 0 0 126 126
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System Component
Number of Locations
Locations
and
Segments
With at
least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50%
After Day 1 After Day 7
Bridges 96 0 0 96 96
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Facilities 9 0 0 9 9
Light Rail
Segments 0 0 0 0 0
Bridges 0 0 0 0 0
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Bus Facilities 1 0 0 1 1
Ferry Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Port Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Airport
Facilities 8 0 0 8 8
Runways 11 0 0 11 11
Source: HAZUS
Table 121. Expected Utility System Facility Damage
System
Number of Location
Total Number
With at Least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50 %
After Day 1 After Day 7
Potable Water 0 0 0 0 0
Waste Water 4 0 0 4 4
Natural Gas 1 0 0 1 1
Oil Systems 1 0 0 1 1
Electrical Power 60 0 0 60 60
Communication 42 0 0 42 42
Source: HAZUS
Table 122. Expected Utility System Pipeline Damage (Site Specific) System Total Pipelines
Length (miles)
Number of Leaks Number of Breaks
Potable Water 13,181 17 4
Waste Water 7,908 9 2
Natural Gas 233 0 0
Oil 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
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Table 123. Expected Potable Water and Electric Power System Performance
Total
Number of
households
Number of Households without Service
At Day 1 At Day 3 At Day 7 At Day 30 At Day 90
Potable Water
319,296
0 0 0 0 0
Electric
Power 0 0 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
The total building-related losses were $26,360,000 for the earthquake scenario and 16 percent of the estimated losses were related to the business interruption of the region. By far, the largest loss were sustained by the residential occupancies which made up over 39 percent of the total loss. The table below provides a summary of the losses associated with the building damage.
Table 124. Building-Related Economic Loss Estimates
Category Area Single
Family
Other
Residential Commercial Industrial Others Total
Income
Losses
Wage 0.00 0.0326 0.9021 0.0409 0.0946 1.0702
Capital-
Related 0.00 0.0138 0.8267 0.0243 0.0292 0.8940
Rental 0.0454 0.1675 0.6026 0.0316 0.0294 0.8765
Relocation 0.0540 0.2641 0.6660 0.1777 0.2453 1.4071
Subtotal 0.0994 0.4780 2.9974 0.2745 0.3985 4.2478
Capital
Stock
Losses
Structural 0.8561 0.6113 1.4114 0.5372 0.5331 3.9491
Non-
Structural 4.6481 2.5130 4.0524 1.2348 1.8442 14.3025
Content 0.8333 0.3050 1.1546 0.6171 0.5534 3.4634
Inventory 0.00 0.00 0.2172 0.1058 0.0757 0.3987
Subtotal 6.3375 3.493 6.8456 2.4949 3.0064 22.1137
Total 6.44 3.91 9.84 2.77 3.40 26.36
Source: HAZUS
Table 125. Transportation System Economic Losses
System Component Inventory Value Economic Loss Loss Ratio (%) Highway
Bridges 6637.6252 0.00 0.00
Segments 2645.6197 0.0006 0.00
Tunnels 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal 9283.2449 0.0006
Railways
Segments 2128.1232 0.00 0.00
Bridges 546.2400 0.00 0.00
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System Component Inventory Value Economic Loss Loss Ratio (%) Tunnels 0.00 0.00 0.00
Facilities 23.9670 0.0831 0.35
Subtotal 2698.3302 0.0831
Light Rail
Segments 0.00 0.00 0.00
Bridges 0.00 0.00 0.00
Tunnels 0.00 0.00 0.00
Facilities 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal 0.00 0.00
Bus
Facilities 2.1666 0.0076
Subtotal 2.166 0.0076
Ferry
Facilities 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal 0.00 0.00
Port
Facilities 0.00 0.00 0.00
Subtotal 0.00 0.00
Airport
Facilities 118.3667 0.5499 0.46
Runways 67.2396 0.00 0.00
Subtotal 185.6063 0.5499
Total 12,169.35 0.64
Source: HAZUS
Table 126. Utility System Economic Losses
System Component Inventory Value Economic Loss Loss Ratio (%) Portable Water
Pipelines 0.00 0.00 0.00
Facilities 0.00 0.00 0.00
Distribution 424.2406 0.0778 0.02
Subtotal 424.2406 0.0778
Waste Water
Pipelines 0.00 0.00 0.00
Facilities 18.2016 0.0004 0.00
Distribution Lines 169.6962 0.0134 0.01
Subtotal 1508.9444 0.0138
Oil Systems
Pipelines 0.00 0.00 0.00
Facilities 0.1180 0.00 0.00
Subtotal 0.1180 0.00
Electrical Power
Facilities 24962.9942 206.0104 0.83
Subtotal 24962.9942 206.0104
Communication
Facilities 4.9560 0.0039 0.08
Subtotal 4.9560 0.0039
Total 27,843.60 206.34
Source: HAZUS
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White Mountain M7.4
The social impact from earthquakes can be catastrophic and wide ranging. HAZUS estimates the number of households that are expected to be displaced from their homes due to the earthquake and the number of displaced people that will require accommodation in temporary public shelters. The model estimates 1 household to be displaced due to the earthquake. Of these zero people out of 1,008,654 will seek temporary shelter in public shelters. The table below describes the casualty estimates from the earthquake scenario based on different time periods and type of properties, spaces, or activities.
Table 127. Transportation System Lifeline Inventory
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4
2AM
Commercial 0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 1.10 0.07 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.55 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 2 0 0 0
2PM
Commercial 1.60 0.11 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.52 0.03 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Industrial 0.19 0.01 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 0.34 0.02 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.16 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 3 0 0 0
5PM
Commercial 1.15 0.08 0.00 0.00
Commuting 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
Educational 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.00
Hotels 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.000
Industrial 0.12 0.01 0.00 0.00
Other-Residential 0.40 0.03 0.00 0.00
Single Family 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00
Total 2 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
HAZUS estimates that about 114 buildings will be at least moderately damaged. This is over zero percent of the buildings in the region. There are an estimated zero buildings that will be damaged beyond repair. The table below summarizes the expected damage by general building type.
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Table 128. Expected Building Damage by Occupancy
Occupancy None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%)
Agriculture 3409.19 1.14 9.41 1.27 2.26 2.06 0.14 3.04 0.00 14.49 Commercial 20955.42 7.01 81.08 10.90 16.80 15.32 0.70 15.57 0.00 33.17 Education 600.19 0.20 1.54 0.21 0.26 0.24 0.01 0.14 0.00 0.21 Government 289.69 0.10 1.09 0.15 0.21 0.19 0.01 0.18 0.00 0.69 Industrial 5317.22 1.78 24.33 3.27 6.14 5.60 0.31 6.99 0.00 7.44 Other
Residential 40641.45 13.60 251.27 33.79 77.05 70.28 3.23 71.96 0.00 21.73 Religion 1498.15 0.50 7.27 0.98 1.50 1.37 0.08 1.69 0.00 22.28 Single Family 226051.95 75.66 367.62 49.44 5.41 4.93 0.02 0.44 0.00 0.00 Total 298,763 744 110 4 0
Source: HAZUS
Table 129. Expected Building Damage by Occupancy
None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Occupancy Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Agriculture 3409.19 1.14 9.41 1.27 2.26 2.06 0.14 3.04 0.00 14.49 Commercial 20955.42 7.01 81.08 10.90 16.80 15.32 0.70 15.57 0.00 33.17 Education 600.19 0.20 1.54 0.21 0.26 0.24 0.01 0.13 0.00 0.21 Government 289.69 0.10 1.09 0.15 0.21 0.19 0.01 0.18 0.00 0.69 Industrial 5317.22 1.78 24.33 3.27 6.14 5.60 0.31 6.99 0.00 7.44 Other
Residential 40641.45 13.60 251.27 33.79 77.05 70.28 3.23 71.96 0.00 21.73 Religion 1498.15 0.50 7.27 0.98 1.50 1.37 0.08 1.69 0.00 22.28 Single Family 226051.95 75.66 367.62 49.44 5.41 4.93 0.02 0.44 0.00 0.00 Total 298,763 744 110 4 0
Source: HAZUS
Table 130. Expected Building Damage by Building Type (All Design Levels) Occupancy None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%)
Wood 256660.13 85.91 420.81 56.59 4.66 4.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Steel 7590.95 2.54 32.95 4.43 8.53 7.78 0.34 7.56 0.00 15.50 Concrete 7079.95 2.37 28.64 3.85 4.16 3.80 0.08 1.83 0.00 0.00 Precast 6443.66 2.16 27.37 3.68 8.79 8.02 0.48 10.79 0.00 14.27 RM 10644.32 3.56 28.04 3.77 8.25 7.53 0.19 4.34 0.00 0.00 URM 2353.79 0.79 22.31 3.00 5.35 4.88 0.41 9.18 0.01 70.22
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Occupancy None Slight Moderate Extensive Complete
Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%)
MH 7990.55 2.67 183.47 24.67 69.89 63.75 2.98 66.30 0.00 0.00 Total 298,763 744 110 4 0
Source: HAZUS
RM: Reinforced Masonry
URM: Unreinforced Masonry
MH: Manufactured Housing
Table 131. Expected Damage to the Transportation Systems System Component
Number of Locations
Locations
and
Segments
With at
least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50%
After Day 1 After Day 7
Highway
Segments 362 0 0 362 362
Bridges 897 0 0 897 897
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Railways
Segments 126 0 0 126 126
Bridges 96 0 0 96 96
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Facilities 9 0 0 9 9
Light Rail
Segments 0 0 0 0 0
Bridges 0 0 0 0 0
Tunnels 0 0 0 0 0
Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Bus Facilities 1 0 0 1 1
Ferry Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Port Facilities 0 0 0 0 0
Airport
Facilities 8 0 0 8 8
Runways 11 0 0 11 11
Source: HAZUS
Table 132. Expected Utility System Facility Damage
System
Number of Location
Total Number
With at Least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50 %
After Day 1 After Day 7
Potable Water 0 0 0 0 0
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System
Number of Location
Total Number
With at Least
Moderate
Damage
With
Complete
Damage
With Functionality >50 %
After Day 1 After Day 7
Waste Water 4 0 0 4 4
Natural Gas 1 0 0 1 1
Oil Systems 1 0 0 1 1
Electrical Power 60 0 0 60 60
Communication 42 0 0 42 42
Source: HAZUS
Table 133. Expected Utility System Pipeline Damage (Site Specific) System Total Pipelines
Length (miles)
Number of Leaks Number of Breaks
Potable Water 13,181 47 12
Waste Water 7,908 24 6
Natural Gas 233 0 0
Oil 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
Table 134. Expected Potable Water and Electric Power System Performance
Total
Number of
households
Number of Households without Service
At Day 1 At Day 3 At Day 7 At Day 30 At Day 90
Potable Water
319,296
0 0 0 0 0
Electric
Power 0 0 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
An earthquake could cause cascading effects, including dam failure or rockslide that would impact the natural environment in different ways, depending on the scope of the cascading hazard. Other types of ground deformation could result as well.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
An earthquake could have major impacts on critical infrastructure. HAZUS estimates impacts to critical facilities including hospitals, schools, Emergency Operations Centers (EOCs), police stations and fire stations. The following tables displays the expected damage to essential facilities for the three
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earthquake scenarios (Great Valley Coalinga M7.1, Round Valley M7.1, White Mountain M7.4) that was generated by HAZUS.
Table 135. Expected Damage to Essential Facilities for Great Valley Coalinga M7.1 Classification Total
Number of Facilities
At Least
Moderate
Damage > 50%
Complete
Damage > 50%
With
Functionality >
50% on Day 1
Hospitals 18 0 0 16
Schools 394 10 0 382
EOCs 8 0 0 7
Police Stations 26 0 0 23
Fire Stations 77 0 0 72
Source: HAZUS-MH
Table 136. Expected Damage to Essential Facilities for Round Valley M7.1 Classification Total
Number of Facilities
At Least
Moderate
Damage > 50%
Complete
Damage > 50%
With
Functionality >
50% on Day 1
Hospitals 18 0 0 18
Schools 394 0 0 394
EOCs 8 0 0 8
Police Stations 26 0 0 26
Fire Stations 77 0 0 77
Source: HAZUS-MH
Table 137. Expected Damage to Essential Facilities for White Mountain M7.4 Classification Total
Number of Facilities
At Least
Moderate
Damage > 50%
Complete
Damage > 50%
With
Functionality >
50% on Day 1
Hospitals 18 0 0 18
Schools 394 0 0 394
EOCs 8 0 0 26
Police Stations 26 0 0 26
Fire Stations 77 0 0 77
Source: HAZUS-MH
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In addition to the exposure analysis generated through HAZUS, information provided by the California Geological Survey, and USGS was utilized to generate estimates of critical facilities within the 55% g or greater ground shaking potential area.
Table 138. Critical Facilities in Earthquake Hazard Areas shows the critical facilities affected in the earthquake hazard areas.
Table 138. Critical Facilities in Earthquake Hazard Areas Jurisdiction Facility Type Count
Coalinga
Airport 1
Colleges & Universities 2
Communications 1
Department of Public Works 1
Fire Station 3
Health Care 1
Police 3
School 10
Total 22
Firebaugh
Airport 1
CalARP 2
Fire Station 1
Police 1
School 9
Urgent Care 1
Total 15
Huron
CalARP 7
Fire Station 1
Police 1
School 3
Total 12
Mendota
Airport 1
CalARP 1
Fire Station 1
School 7
Total 10
San Joaquin
CalARP 1
School 2
Sheriff 1
Total 4
Unincorporated
Airport 5
CalARP 35
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Jurisdiction Facility Type Count
Department of Agriculture 1
Department of Public Works 2
Fire Station 5
Nursing Home 1
School 17
Total 66
Grand Total 129
Source: California Geological Survey, USGS
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Future development in the county is not anticipated to significantly affect vulnerability to earthquakes but will result in a slight increase in exposure of the population and building stock due to population increases over the next several decades. Additionally, the County has adopted policies to curb damage from earthquake hazard areas. For example, the Alquist Priolo Earthquake Fault Act states that the County shall not permit any structure for human occupancy to be placed within designated Earthquake Fault Zones.
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VULNERABILITY TO FLOOD/LEVEE FAILURE (HIGH)
Floods are characterized by the rising and overflowing of excess water from a water source such as a stream, river, lake, canal, or coastal body onto an area of normally dry floodplain. A floodplain is a lowland area downstream and adjacent to water bodies that are subject to flood events. Flooding is a naturally occurring event that becomes hazardous when populations and property are affected. A flood occurs when the existing channel of a stream, river, canyon, or other watercourse cannot contain excess runoff from rainfall or snowmelt, resulting in overflow onto adjacent lands. Man-made levees can fail in a number of ways. The most frequent (and dangerous) form of levee failure is a breach. A levee breach is when part of the levee actually breaks away, leaving a large opening for water to flood the land protected by the levee. A breach can be a sudden or gradual failure that is caused either by surface erosion or by a subsurface failure of the levee.
PEOPLE
The number of people living in the 100-year and 500-year floodplains was determined by multiplying the percent area of coverage for the floodplains in each census tract by the total population of that tract.
Census tracts do not always adhere to local boundaries; if a census tract was completely within a city boundary or unincorporated Fresno County it was labeled as such in the following tables. If a tract intersected more than one jurisdiction, all jurisdictions within the tract were labeled in the following tables. Based on this analysis, there are 44,905 residents living in the 100-year flood zones throughout Fresno County. Table 139. Population Living in 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Zones below details population estimates by census tract, followed by a similar table for the 500-year floodplain.
Table 139. Population Living in 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Zones Jurisdiction(s) Population
Clovis 640
Clovis; Fresno; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,736
Clovis; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 3,171
Coalinga; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,148
Firebaugh; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,860
Fowler; Kingsburg; Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 75
Fowler; Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 59
Fowler; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 115
Fresno 3,446
Fresno; Kerman; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,222
Fresno; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 10,984
Huron; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,930
Kerman; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 272
Kingsburg; Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 15
Kingsburg; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 10
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Mendota; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 5,498
Orange Cove; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,397
Parlier; Reedley; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 102
Parlier; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 42
Reedley; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,813
San Joaquin; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,709
Sanger 11
Sanger; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,686
Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 234
Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,731
Total 44,905
Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; FEMA, US Census Bureau
The same analysis determined that there are 195,454 residents living in the 500-year flood zones throughout Fresno County. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 140. Population Living in
0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Zones.
Table 140. Population Living in 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Zones Jurisdiction(s) Population
Clovis 11,704
Clovis; Fresno; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 17,015
Clovis; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,216
Coalinga; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 3,835
Firebaugh; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,292
Fowler; Kingsburg; Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Fowler; Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Fowler; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 7
Fresno 104,996
Fresno; Kerman; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Fresno; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 48,361
Huron; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 43
Kerman; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Kingsburg; Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Kingsburg; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Mendota; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 2,504
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Orange Cove; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 200
Parlier; Reedley; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 45
Parlier; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Reedley; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 851
San Joaquin; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Sanger 7
Sanger; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 1,003
Selma; Unincorporated Fresno Co. 0
Unincorporated Fresno Co. 375
Total 195,454
Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; FEMA, US Census Bureau
Population estimates were conducted using the USACE Comprehensive Study and the CA DWR for the 200 year floodplain. However, there is not an updated study for the analysis and therefore has been omitted in the 2024 plan update.
HAZUS
The geographical size of the region is approximately 184 square miles and contains 14,708 census blocks. The region contains over 319,000 households and has a total population of more than one million people. There are an estimated 299,621 buildings in the region with a total building replacement value (excluding contents) of $160,289,000,000. Approximately 89.25 percent of the buildings (and
61.47 percent of the building value) are associated with residential housing.
Based on the 100-Year Flood Event Scenario generated by HAZUS, it is estimated that 927 people will seek shelter and 9,513 will be displaced. Displacements may occur due to evacuations from the flood area and damage to homes. Due to the damage, individuals may seek public shelters. The model estimates that 3,171 households may be displaced due to the flood event.
PROPERTY
Flooding is a natural occurrence in the Central Valley because it is a natural drainage basin for thousands of watershed acres of Sierra Nevada and Coast Range foothills and mountains. Historically, the Fresno County planning area has been at risk to flooding primarily during the winter and spring months when river systems in the County swell with heavy rainfall and snowmelt runoff. Normally, storm floodwaters are kept within defined limits by a variety of storm drainage and flood control measures. But, occasionally, extended heavy rains result in floodwaters that exceed normal high-water boundaries and cause damage.
Flooding has occurred in the past: within the 100-year floodplain and in other localized areas. Recent digital flood insurance rate maps (DFIRMs) dated January 2016 placed additional areas within the 100- year or greater floodplain. This is primarily due to the inability of the old and inadequate levees to be certified in accordance with current FEMA standards. As such, these levees no longer provide protection from the 100-year flood. It should be noted, however, that all levees, whether certified or not,
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provide some level of protection to the planning area and remain a critical factor in floodplain management for the communities.
The continued need to rely on these flood control structures is an ongoing concern. The history of the area, beginning with hydraulic gold mining techniques and through the continuing conversion of agricultural lands to commercial and residential uses, makes it impossible to reverse the planning area’s dependence on structural flood control protection. Levee maintenance is a continuous effort due to erosion and scour brought on by the channelization itself.
Additional improvements to strengthen the levees and make them less susceptible to seepage-induced failures are a priority of local and state agencies. Once these improvements are made, certification may be possible. Nevertheless, while these improvements may mitigate the impacts of flooding due to levee failure, the levees will remain subject to overtopping by flood events larger than their design capacity.
The likelihood of flooding increases with the heavy rains that occur annually between November and May. In addition to damage to area infrastructure, other problems associated with flooding include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, loss of environmental resources, and certain health hazards.
HAZUS
A flood vulnerability assessment was performed for Fresno County using GIS. The county’s parcel layer and associated assessor’s building improvement valuation data were provided by the county and were used as the basis for the inventory. Fresno County’s effective DFIRM was used as the hazard layer.
DFIRM is FEMA’s flood risk data that depicts the 1% annual chance (100-year) and the 0.2% annual chance (500-year) flood events. Fresno County’s effective FEMA DFIRM, dated January 20, 2016, was determined to be the best available floodplain data. Table 141. Fresno County Flood Zones summarize the flood zones included on these maps.
Table 141. Fresno County Flood Zones
Zone
Designation
Percent
Annual
Chance of
Flood
Description
Zone V 1%
Areas along coasts subject to inundation by the 1%
annual chance of flooding with additional hazards associated with storm-induced waves. Because hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no base flood elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown.
Zones VE and V1-
30 1%
Areas along coasts subject to inundation by the 1% annual chanc e of flooding with additional hazards
associated with storm-induced waves.
BFEs derived from detailed hydraulic analyses are shown within t hese zones. (Zone VE is used on new
and revised maps in place of Zones V1-30.)
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Zone
Designation
Percent
Annual
Chance of
Flood
Description
Zone A 1%
Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of f looding over the life of a 30-
year mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas, no depths or BFEs are.
shown within these areas.
Zone AE 1%
Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of f looding over the life of a 30-
year mortgage. In most instances, BFEs derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones.
Zone AH 1%
Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding where
shallow flooding (usually areas of ponding) can occur with averag e depths between 1 – 3 feet.
Zone AO 1% Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding, where shallow floodin g average depths are between 1 – 3 feet.
Zone X
(shaded) 0.2% Represents areas between the limits of the 1% annual chance of flooding and 0.2% chance of flooding.
Zone X
(unshaded) Undetermined
Areas outside of the 1% annual chance floodplain and
0.2% annual chance floodplain; areas of 1% annual chance sheet flow flooding where average depths are less than one (1) foot; areas of 1% annual chance stream flooding where the
contributing drainage area is less than one (1) square mile, or areas protected from the 1% annual chance flood by levees. No BFE or depths are shown within this zone.
Source: FEMA
GIS was used to intersect the parcel boundaries with a master address point layer to obtain number of buildings per parcel. The parcel layer was then converted into a centroid, or point, representing the center of each parcel polygon.
Only parcels with improvement values greater than zero and address points were used in the analysis, this method assumes that improved parcels have a structure of some type. The DFIRM flood zones
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were overlaid in GIS on the address points and parcel centroid data to identify structures that would likely be inundated during a 1 percent annual chance and 0.2 percent annual chance flood event.
These overlays can be seen graphically in the regional maps in the following figures and in more detail in the jurisdictional annexes.
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Source: CA-DFW, CalTrans, USACE-National Levee Database, FEMA – Map Service Center, DFIRM 1/2016
Figure 69. Fresno County Flood Hazard Areas – Eastern Fresno County
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Map 1. Fresno County Flood Hazard Areas - Central Fresno County Figure 70. Fresno County Flood Hazard Areas – Central Fresno County
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Source: CA-DFW, CalTrans, USACE-National Levee Database, FEMA – Map Service Center, DFIRM 1/2016
Figure 71. Fresno County Flood Hazard Areas - Western Fresno County
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Results of the overlay analysis area are provided in the following tables. The jurisdictional annexes provide more detailed information based on property type. Property type refers to the land use of the parcel. Where possible, parcel and structure counts were separated in the analysis. Detailed tables show counts of parcels by jurisdiction and land use type (agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential, open space, etc.). The flood loss analyses do not account for business disruption, emergency services, environmental damages, or displacement costs, thus actual losses could exceed the estimates shown.
The geographical size of the region is approximately 184 square miles and contains 14,708 census blocks. The region contains over 319,000 households and has a total population of 1,007,944 people.
HAZUS estimates that there are 299,621 buildings in the region with a total building replacement value (excluding contents) of $160,289,000,000. Approximately 89.25 percent of the buildings (and 61.47 percent of the total exposure value) are associated with residential housing. The tables below represent the relative distribution of the value to the general occupancies by Study Region and Scenario respectively.
Table 142. Building Exposure by Occupancy Type for the Study Region 1% Floodplain Occupancy Exposure ($1000) Percent of Total
Residential 98,523,386 61.5%
Commercial 32,127,603 20.0%
Industrial 11,799,356 7.4%
Agricultural 4,086,209 2.5%
Religion 2,853,221 1.8%
Government 868,453 0.5%
Education 10,030,538 6.3%
Total 160,288,766 100%
Source: HAZUS
HAZUS estimates that about 911 buildings will be at least moderately damaged (defined as damage level 11 or above). This is over 59 percent of the total number of buildings in the scenario. There are an estimated 46 buildings that will be completely destroyed. The table below summarizes the expected damage by general occupancy for the buildings in the region.
Table 143. Expected Building Damage by Occupancy for the Study Region 1% Floodplain 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 >50
Occupancy Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Agriculture 7 39 11 61 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Commercial 7 58 3 25 2 17 0 0 0 0 0 0
Education 3 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Government 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Industrial 0 0 1 100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Religion 7 44 9 56 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Residential 258 23 468 41 174 15 130 11 67 6 46 4
Total 282 492 176 130 67 46
Source: HAZUS
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Table 144. Expected Building Damage by Building Type (All Design Levels) 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 >50
Occupancy Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Count (%) Concrete 3 50 3 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Manufactured
Housing
5 25 2 10 1 5 0 0 0 0 12 60
Masonry 4 57 3 43 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Steel 3 43 4 57 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Wood 255 23 467 42 173 15 130 12 66 6 34 3
Source: HAZUS
Table 145. Building Exposure in the 100-Year Floodplain Jurisdiction Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Land Value Total Value
Clovis 1,028 147 $2,243,518,271 $395,015,237 $2,638,652,708 Coalinga 201 215 $2,599,806 $1,358,556 $3,958,362
Firebaugh 592 656 $13,454,662 $5,635,994 $19,090,656
Fowler 74 64 $0 $0 $0
Fresno 1,520 455 $460,869,587 $153,917,812 $618,041,399 Huron 38 8 $0 $0 $0
Kerman 2 0 $0 $0 $0
Kingsburg 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Mendota 171 98 $833,583 $511,649 $1,345,232
Orange Cove 379 318 $0 $0 $0
Parlier 82 52 $52,101 $692,304 $744,405
Reedley 62 16 $0 $9,066 $9,066
San Joaquin 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Sanger 296 206 $2,485,504 $1,045,731 $3,531,235
Selma 27 18 $0 $0 $0
Unincorporated 9,167 3,178 $468,803,571 $385,320,333 $885,563,114 Total 13,639 5,431 $3,192,617,085 $943,506,682 $4,170,936,177 Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer Effective date 01/20/2016, FEMA Table 146. Building Exposure in the 500-Year Floodplain Jurisdiction Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Land Value Total Value
Clovis 2,814 7,149 $9,200,833,909 $2,002,816,583 $11,206,145,592 Coalinga 217 868 $37,362,500 $10,261,060 $47,623,560
Firebaugh 173 818 $489,560 $1,740,991 $2,230,551
Fowler - 6 - - -
Fresno 10,685 49,144 $17,978,613,870 $3,890,079,524 $21,908,534,084
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Jurisdiction Parcel
Count
Building
Count
Improved
Value
Land Value Total Value
Huron - 747 - - -
Kerman - - - - -
Kingsburg - - - - -
Mendota 7 105 $1,457,645 $335,832 $1,793,477
Orange Cove - 78 - - -
Parlier - 0 - - -
Reedley 157 177 $39,218,838 $13,541,001 $52,759,839
San Joaquin - 0 - - -
Sanger 35 59 $4,916,474 $1,637,528 $6,554,002
Selma - 0 - - -
Unincorporated 464 5,828 $101,640,999 $93,426,960 $195,068,859 Total 14,552 64,979 $27,364,533,795 $6,013,839,479 $33,420,809,964 Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer Effective date 01/20/2016, FEMA Looking at the flood risk for the entire Fresno County planning area, in general, Clovis, Firebaugh, Coalinga, Fresno, and Reedley are predominantly inundated by the 500-year flood. Orange Cove, San Joaquin, and Sanger are predominantly inundated by the 100-year flood. Fowler, Huron, Mendota, Parlier, and Selma are just barely affected by the floodplain. Kerman and Kingsburg are not in floodplains. This analysis does not take localized flooding into account.
According to this information, the Fresno County planning area has 13,639 parcels valued at roughly $4.17 billion in the 100-year floodplain. An additional 14,552 parcels valued at roughly $33.42 billion fall within the 500-year floodplain. As a result, total structural exposure exceeds $37 billion. The end of this section provides more discussion on vulnerability in leveed areas.
The tables below provide further analysis that shows the count and improved value of parcels that fall in a floodplain by property type for the 100- and 500-year annual chance flood zones. It should be noted that the model may have included structures in the floodplains that are elevated at or above the level of the base-flood elevation, which will likely mitigate flood damage. Also, it is important to remember that the assessed values are well below the actual market values. Thus, the actual value of assets at risk may be significantly higher than those included herein.
Table 147. Building Exposure in the 100-Year Floodplain by Property Type Property Type Parcel
Count
Improved Value Land Value Total Value
Agricultural 878 $358,153,138 $318,496,610 $683,541,058 Apartments 374 $2,071,722,176 $246,745,111 $2,318,467,287 Church 1 $173,970 $45,877 $219,847
Commercial 66 $339,833,649 $180,132,311 $520,360,260
Condominium 9 $2,946,834 $1,001,664 $3,948,498
Government 3 $3,327 $572,628 $575,955
Group
Housing/Lodging 2 $1,005,835 $1,865,208 $2,871,043
Industrial 92 $276,238,213 $109,597,919 $413,352,932
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Property Type Parcel
Count
Improved Value Land Value Total Value
Mobile/
Manufactured
Home
2 $2,880,436 $3,951,834 $6,832,270
Office/
Professional
Space
1 $300,900 $81,600 $382,500
Primary Use Not
Designated 340 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 25 $330,626 $3,724,131 $4,054,757
School 2 $2,134,198 $169,598 $2,303,796
Single Family
Residence 694 $134,072,705 $59,474,922 $193,557,627
Unknown 10,971 $0 $0 $0
Utilities 4 $394,535 $1,784,659 $2,179,194
Vacant 175 $2,426,543 $15,862,610 $18,107,083
Total $13,639 $3,192,617,085 $943,506,682 $4,170,936,177 Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer Effective date 01/20/2016, FEMA *Includes Zones A, AE, AH, and AO
**Includes Shaded Zone X (500-year) and all 100-year flood zones Table 148. Building Exposure in the 500-Year Floodplain by Property Type Type Parcel
Count
Improved Value Land Value Total Value
Agricultural 130 $35,660,282 $65,664,460 $101,325,642
Apartments 4,260 $20,216,231,280 $4,078,176,352 $24,294,407,632 Church 37 $30,688,088 $4,036,415 $34,941,503
Commercial 1,066 $4,482,800,800 $999,249,972 $5,515,263,522 Communications 1 $0 $3,458 $3,458
Condominium 14 $34,466,814 $6,779,664 $41,246,478
Group
Housing/Lodging 27 $79,244,013 $18,354,847 $99,707,160
Hospital 16 $341,363,536 $17,708,710 $359,072,246
Industrial 191 $164,740,952 $42,739,517 $296,343,750
Mobile/
Manufactured
Home
53 $33,019,701 $75,522,199 $108,541,900
Office/
Professional
Space
371 $804,948,104 $244,371,695 $1,052,660,999
Outlot &
Common Area 1 $9 $14 $23
Primary Use Not
Designated 516 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 3 $3,997,372 $979,715 $4,977,087
School 12 $14,390,928 $3,649,028 $18,078,556
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Type Parcel
Count
Improved Value Land Value Total Value
Single Family
Residence 7,389 $1,119,808,599 $401,867,956 $1,521,692,855 Vacant 461 $3,173,317 $54,735,477 $58,054,894
Total 14,552 $27,364,533,795 $6,013,839,479 $33,420,709,964 Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer Effective date 01/20/2016, FEMA *Includes Zones A, AE, AH, and AO
**Includes Shaded Zone X (500-year) and all 100-year flood zones
Insurance Coverage, Claims Paid, and Repetitive Losses
Unincorporated Fresno County joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on December 12, 1982, and the Community Rating System (CRS) on October 1, 1991. According to Fresno County, the current Community Rating System (CRS) score of seven, which is lower than the 2007 rating (8).
Within Fresno County, there are 247 policies in force. There are four repetitive loss properties within Fresno County, three of which are located in the City of Fresno and City of Clovis, and one located in Unincorporated Fresno County (Orange Cove). Three of the four are repetitive loss properties and one is a severe repetitive loss property. There are 163 claims within incorporated Fresno County and 84 claims within unincorporated. According to FEMA, accessed information on March 19, 2024, there are no Severe Repetitive Loss properties located in the unincorporated Fresno County. Figure 72. Fresno County Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties displays where the Severe Repetitive Loss properties are located within the County.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 72. Fresno County Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties
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NFIP data indicates that there are 247 active insurance policies in Fresno County. Table 149. Fresno County NFIP Information provides more details on NFIP policies and paid losses for each jurisdiction participating in the NFIP. Figure 73. Fresno County Flood Insurance Claims shows where flood claims are being submitted across the County.
Table 149. Fresno County NFIP Information
Jurisdiction Policies
Total
Premium/Total
Paid
No. of Paid
Losses
Clovis 24 $176,106.79 16
Firebaugh 4 $0 0
Fowler 3 $3,197.94 1
Fresno 128 $711,909.74 77
Sanger 4 $6,220.92 2
Unincorporated
Fresno Co. 84 $571,029.69 41
Total 247 $1,468,465.08 137
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Community Information System
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 73. Fresno County Flood Insurance Claims
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HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND NATURAL RESOURCES AT RISK
The Fresno County planning area has significant historic, cultural, and natural resources located throughout the County as previously described. Risk analysis of these resources was not possible due to data limitations. However, natural areas within the floodplain often benefit from periodic flooding as a naturally recurring phenomenon. These natural areas often reduce flood impacts by allowing absorption and infiltration of floodwaters.
OVERALL COMMUNITY IMPACT
Floods and their impacts will vary by location and severity and will likely only affect certain areas of the County at any one time. Based on the risk assessment, it is evident that floods will continue to have potentially devastating economic impacts to certain areas of the County. However, many of the floods in the County are minor, localized flood events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster. Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
▪ Injury and loss of life;
▪ Commercial and residential structural damage;
▪ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure;
▪ Health hazards associated with mold and mildew;
▪ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ▪ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) upon the community; ▪ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values; and ▪ Significant disruption to students and teachers as temporary facilities and relocations would likely be needed.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Natural resources are generally resistant to flooding except where natural landscapes and soil compositions have been altered for human development or after periods of previous disasters such as drought and fire. Wetlands, for example, exist because of natural flooding incidents. Areas that are no longer wetlands may suffer from oversaturation of water, as will areas that are particularly impacted by drought. Areas recently suffering from wildfire damage may erode because of flooding, which can permanently alter an ecological system.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Critical facilities are those community components that are most needed to withstand the impacts of disaster as previously described. An analysis was performed using GIS software to determine critical facilities in Fresno County’s floodplain. The DFIRM flood layer previously discussed was used to identify the 100- and 500-year floodplains. For more information on the spatial distribution and location of critical facilities, see the Critical Facility overview. The impact to the community could be great if
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these critical facilities were damaged or destroyed during a flood event. Similar data is available for the other participating jurisdictions in the jurisdictional annexes.
As described earlier, critical facilities are located throughout Fresno County. Critical facilities in the floodplain are summarized in Table 150. Critical Facilities in the 100-Year Floodplain and Table 151. Critical Facilities in the 500-year Floodplain. In total, there are 34 facilities in the 100-year flood zone, 209 facilities in the 500-year flood zone, and 9 critical facilities in the 200-year floodplain.
Information regarding critical facilities in the floodplain for each jurisdiction is outlined in the jurisdictional annexes.
Table 150. Critical Facilities in the 100-Year Floodplain Jurisdiction Facility Type Total Facilities Replacement Cost Coalinga Communications Facilities 1 $118,000
Schools 1 $10,203,670
Firebaugh Schools 4 $35,277,520
Mendota Electric Power Facilities 2 $135,892,580
Fire Stations 1 $1,306,580
Orange Cove Fire Stations 1 $1,306,580
Reedley Airport Facilities 1 $5,300,00
Sanger Schools 1 $1,070,310
Unincorporated Fresno County Electric Power Facilities 4 $2,238,656,990 Schools 1 $5,244,180
Totals 17 $2,434,376,410
Fresno County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer Effective date 01/20/2016, FEMA
Table 151. Critical Facilities in the 500-year Floodplain Jurisdiction Facility Type Total Facilities Replacement Cost Clovis Schools 6 $156,373,660
Coalinga Medical Care Facilities 1 $110,720,100
Firebaugh Airport Facilities 1 $5,300,000
EOCs 1 $3,438,840
Schools 1 $8,873,840
Fresno Airport Facilities 1 $13,356,000
Bus Facilities 1 $2,166,680
Communications Facilities 4 $472,000
Electric Power Facilities 1 $40,533,900
EOCs 1 $7,997,200
Fire Stations 6 $10,752,960
Medical Care Facilities 4 $803,905,150
Police Stations 5 $46,895,200
Railway Facilities 1 $2,663,000
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Schools 66 $2,618,520,760
Huron Schools 1 $9,830,260
Reedley Wastewater Treatment
Facilities
1 $171,951,800
Unincorporated Fresno County Electric Power Facilities 1 $11,036,810 Fire Stations 2 $3,098,740
Schools 1 $11,183,000
Totals 106 $4,039,069,900
Source: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; National Flood Hazard Layer Effective date 01/20/2016, FEMA
HAZUS
For essential facilities, there are 18 hospitals in the region with a total bed capacity of 3,621 beds.
There are 394 schools, 77 fire stations, 26 police stations, and 8 emergency operation centers. The table below describes the severity of damage to essential facilities for the flood scenario.
Table 152. Critical Facilities in the 100-Year Floodplain Classification Total At Least
Moderate
At Least
Substantial Loss of Use
Emergency
Operations Centers 8 0 0 0
Fire Station 77 0 0 0
Hospitals 18 0 0 0
Police Stations 26 0 0 0
Schools 394 0 0 0
Source: HAZUS
this report displays all zeros or is blank, two possibilities can explain this. (1) None of your facilities were flooded. This can be checked by mapping the inventory data on the depth grid. (2) The analysis was not run. This can be tested by checking the run box on the Analysis Menu and seeing if a message box asks you to replace the existing results.
The building losses are broken into two categories: direct building losses and business interruption losses. The direct building losses are the estimated costs to repair or replace the damage caused to the building and its contents. The business interruption losses are the losses associated with inability to operate a businesses because for those people displaced from their homes because of the flood. The total building-related losses were $412,620,00 million dollars. 39 percent of the estimated losses were related to the business interruption of the region. The residential occupancies made up about 39 percent of the total loss. The table below provides a summary of the losses associated with the building damage.
Table 153. Building-Related Economic Loss Estimates (in $ millions) Category Area Residential Commercial Industrial Others Total Building Loss
Building 133 14.62 6.64 16.71 170.97
Content 72 43.49 16.57 82.50 214.75
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Inventory 0 5.92 3.14 17.84 26.90
Subtotal 205.20 64.03 26.35 117.05 412.62
Business
Interruptions
Income 0.56 33.24 0.55 32.51 66.85
Relocation 40.85 7.82 0.66 17.12 66.44
Rental Income 15.92 5.71 0.15 1.07 22.85
Wage 1.33 35.60 0.94 70.77 108.64
Subtotal 58.67 82.36 2.30 121.47 164.79
Total 263.86 146.39 28.64 238.52 677.41
Source: HAZUS
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Flooding and floodplain management are significant issues for Fresno County. The potential or likelihood of a flood event in the city increases with the annual onset of heavy rains in April combined with snowmelt runoff from May through June. Much of the historical growth in the problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, losses of environmental resources, and certain health hazards. Future annexations of unincorporated areas could significantly add to the number of flood-prone structures in Fresno County.
For NFIP participating communities, floodplain management practices implemented through local floodplain management ordinances should mitigate the flood risk to new development in floodplains.
The development trend in the Fresno County planning area is steady, significant growth. Much of this growth is occurring in the urban areas, which causes a significant increase in peak flow and stormwater runoff. Census projections from the California Department of Finance expect the County’s population to grow to 1,201,792 by 2020. This is an increase of 271,342 people from the 2010 census estimate of 930,450. Such growth will consume previously undeveloped acres, and the impacts may overwhelm existing drainage and flood control facilities.
The potential for flooding may increase as stormwater is channelized due to land development. Such changes can create localized flooding problems inside and outside of natural floodplains by altering or confining natural drainage channels. Floodplain modeling and master planning should be based on buildout land use to ensure that all new development remains safe from future flooding. While local floodplain management, stormwater management, and water quality regulations and policies address these changes on a site-by-site basis, their cumulative effects can have a negative impact on the floodplain.
Local floodplain management ordinances require that new construction be built with the lowest floor elevated a minimum of one foot above the base flood (100-year) elevation. New development that adheres to the elevation requirements in addition to other requirements for maintaining elevation certificates and implementing stormwater program elements and erosion or sediment controls for all new development in the floodplain should help protect development from 100-year floods. The amount of growth in the County and nearby communities can also strain the limits of the entire water management system, which includes water supply in addition to water control. When flood control structures are overwhelmed, the result is not only severe flooding. Significant losses to the water supply system may also occur. The following policies are a few policies preventing loss from flood damage.
• Policy PF-E.9 100-year Flood Protection requires new development to provide protection from the 100-year flood as a minimum.
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• Policy PF-E.20 requires that the County’s new development of facilities near rivers, creeks, reservoirs, or substantial aquifer recharge areas to mitigate any potential impacts of release of pollutants in flood waters, flowing rivers, streams, creeks, or reservoir waters. • Policy HS-C.2 requires the County prohibit new development in existing undeveloped areas (i.e., areas devoted to agriculture or open space that are not designated for development) protected by a State flood control project without appropriately considering significant known flooding risks and taking reasonable and feasible action to mitigate the potential property damage to the new development resulting from a flood.
VULNERABILITY TO LEVEE FAILURE
A levee failure can range from a small, uncontrolled release to a catastrophic failure. Vulnerability to levee failures is generally confined to the areas subject to inundation downstream of the facility.
Secondary losses would include loss of the multi-use functions of the facility and associated revenues that accompany those functions.
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VULNERABILITY TO HUMAN HEALTH: EPIDEMIC/PANDEMIC (HIGH) Based on historical occurrences, the risk to the Fresno County planning area is occasional, but the vulnerability is high due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating impacts the pandemic had across the globe. The majority of the impacts from epidemics and pandemics will likely be on public health. It is critical that future planning and preparedness activities for pandemic and epidemics account for the existing disparities in Fresno County and potential barriers communities may face to mitigate adverse health outcomes and other impacts such as unemployment and the subsequent impacts (i.e., food and housing insecurity). Such efforts will assist in reducing the health disparities often seen in pandemic and epidemics as well as improving health outcomes and the livelihoods of disproportionately impacted communities.
PEOPLE
All residents and visitors of the County could be susceptible to exposure from an infectious disease and subsequent impacts from a pandemic or epidemic. However, based on existing inequities, some populations and communities will continue to bear the burden of those impacts, similar to previous occurrences. Disproportionately impacted communities include but are not limited to:
▪ Rural communities
▪ Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Communities ▪ LGBTQ+ communities
▪ Incarcerated/detained populations
▪ Individuals with disabilities
▪ Individuals with chronic health conditions
▪ Individuals with no health insurance or lack of access to healthcare services ▪ Low socioeconomic status
▪ People experiencing homelessness
▪ Individuals with limited English proficiency
Disease spread and mortality is affected by a variety of factors, including virulence, ease of spread, aggressiveness of the virus and its symptoms, resistance to known antibiotics and environmental factors. While every pathogen is different, diseases normally have the highest mortality rate among the very young, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. Additionally, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, those populations with increased exposure to the virus, especially those living and working in congregate settings such as hospitals and health care facilities are at greater risk.
During the 1918 H1N1 influenza pandemic an estimated 50 million people died, which is a crude mortality rate of 2.7 percent. The crude mortality rate calculates if someone is infected how likely are they to die . During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of deaths peaked during the 2021 winter season, with a 7-day average of over 3,000 deaths. Since the start of the pandemic in early 2020, there have been over 1,000,000 deaths in the United States as of February 20248. It is likely that if a new epidemic or pandemic were to occur, few people, if any, would have immunity to a new virus. 8 CDC COVID Data Tracker: Maps by Geographic Area https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#maps_deaths-total
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PROPERTY
For the most part, property itself wouldn’t be physically destroyed or damaged by a human disease epidemic or pandemic. However, as concerns about contamination increase, property may be quarantined or destroyed as a precaution against spreading illness. As seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses can be damaged through disrupting supply chains and the distribution of goods which can slow or force businesses to close. Industry and commerce are also likely to suffer losses which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Good ventilation and indoor air quality are critical in reducing airborne exposure to viruses and other disease vectors. Buildings and their ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can pose a higher risk for disease spread through lack of adequate ventilation and air filtration. Adjustments can be made to improve indoor air filtration. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health recommendations included adding portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) cleaners to reduce the number of airborne infectious particles, especially in congregate settings. 9
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
A widespread pandemic would not likely have an impact on the natural environment unless the disease was transmissible between humans and animals. However, during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic when the whole world recommended to quarantine into their homes to prevent and reduce the spread of the virus, many social, economic, industrial, and urbanization activities suddenly shut off.
This nonpharmaceutical intervention to reduce the spread of the virus and ultimately reduce infection rates, hospitalizations, and deaths, allowed nature in certain areas of the world to become less polluted. 10 While these activities have returned since the lockdown days of the pandemic, such catastrophic events as the COVID-19 pandemic can have a domino effect to all aspects of life including the natural environment.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
The COVID-19 pandemic rapidly escalated demands on the health care system, medical infrastructure, and health care workforce. Unlike a one-time disaster event, the COVID-19 pandemic disease spread had many surges repeatedly stressing hospitals, EMS, and healthcare settings causing ripple effects throughout the community. In order for the healthcare system to cope with surge of patients seeking medical care and attention, many hospitals cancelled non-emergency (but still needed) procedures and were not prioritizing people with non-COVID needs which increased all-cause and COVID-19 specific mortality in the subsequent weeks after the start of the pandemic. Additionally, hospitals were already operating close to capacity and the pandemic pushed the entire healthcare system to the brink.
Educational settings faced many challenges in barriers in continuing to provide education to students which caused disruptions to learning and critical learning milestones for K-12 students. Many schools, for the first time, explore virtual schooling options, which posed challenges. Rural communities with
9 Efficacy of Portable Air Cleaners and Masking for Reducing Indoor Exposure to Simulated Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols — United States, 2021 | MMWR (cdc.gov) https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/70/wr/mm7027e1.htm 10 Coronavirus lockdown helped the environment to bounce back - PMC (nih.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7323667/
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limited access to the internet struggled to connect and participate in virtual classrooms. These hardships create a difficult environment for the school, teachers, students, and parents to navigate.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Future development is not like to be impacted by a pandemic, however pandemics offer an opportunity to implement lessons learned to prevent or reduce harm from future pandemics. As the COVID-19 virus is an airborne disease it is important to have clean air to reduce transmission. Improving indoor air quality won’t singlehandedly stopped transmission but will likely reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses such as the fly, RSV, and other allergens and pollutants. Interventions such as air purifiers can improve indoor air quality especially in older buildings and small spaces. 11
11 Indoor air quality improvement in COVID-19 pandemic: Review - PMC (nih.gov) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8049211/
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VULNERABILITY TO HUMAN HEALTH: WEST NILE VIRUS (LOW)
While the likelihood of occurrence of West Nile virus in the Fresno County planning area is likely, the County’s vulnerability is low, based on the percentage of total population that actually comes down with the disease. Since the discovery of West Nile virus in California in 2003, Fresno County has had 384 confirmed human cases.
Although the potential for exposure does exist in Fresno County, the vulnerability should be considered in terms of adverse effects due to exposure. The County already has an active vector control program in place for mosquitoes, and protective measures to prevent exposure are relatively simple and cost- effective. Given the nature of protective measures, such as wearing long- sleeved clothing and using bug spray, the responsibility for protection can and should be an individual responsibility. Fresno County’s current public education program should give the community the knowledge as well as access to resources to effectively counter the risk and impact from the virus.
PEOPLE
Approximately twenty percent of people exposed to West Nile Virus through a mosquito bite develop symptoms related to the virus; it is not transmissible from one person to another. In the state of California, there have been more than 7,500 cases and over 300 deaths reported since 2003. In Fresno County, there have been 402 cases, 17 of which were fatal. Preventive steps can be taken to reduce exposure to mosquitos carrying the virus; these include insect repellent, covering exposed skin with clothing and avoiding the outdoors during twilight periods of dawn and dusk, or in the evening when the mosquitos are most active. 12
PROPERTY
Property would not be significantly affected by West Nile Virus.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
While birds are the species primarily affected by West Nile Virus, bats, horses, cats, dogs, chipmunks, skunks, squirrels, domestic rabbits and alligators can all be infected with the virus.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Should a widespread outbreak of West Nile Virus occur, medical facilities could be stressed.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Future development would not be impacted by West Nile Virus.
12 West Nile Virus (WNV) Fact Sheet (cdc.gov) https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/resources/pdfs/wnvFactsheet_508.pdf
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VULNERABILITY TO LANDSLIDE (LOW)
Landslides and mudflows can destroy properties and cause injuries and deaths. A landslide refers to a wide range of ground movement, such as rock falls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flow. The figure below illustrates the different types of landslide movement. The primary driving force of landslides is gravity but other contributing factors such as rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, groundwater pressure, erosion, destabilization of slopes (because of deforestation, cultivation and construction, snow, and glacial melt) can drive a landslide to occur as well.
PEOPLE
On average, 25 to 50 people are killed by landslides each year in the United States and even more worldwide. In the state of California, more than 100 residents have been killed by debris flows during the past 25 years. Most of the fatalities occurred due to debris flow burying individuals sleeping in lower-floor bedrooms adjacent to hazardous slopes. 13 Health and safety concerns due to landslides and mudflow include rapidly moving water and debris, broken electrical, water, gas, and sewage lines that can result in injury and illness, and disrupted roadways and railways endangering motorists and impeding on transport and access to healthcare. People are susceptible if they are caught in a landslide or rockfall; falling debris can cause injury or death. There is also a danger to drivers operating vehicles, as rocks and debris can strike vehicles passing through the hazard area or cause dangerous shifts in roadways. Based on previous occurrences, there have been no recorded injuries or deaths from landslides in Fresno County.
PROPERTY
Landslides and mudslides are one of the most destructive hazard processes that can cause tremendous damage to the built environment. This hazard can drastically alter the physical landscape and destroy buildings and homes. Landslide risk is minimal in the highly developed valley area of the County due to the relatively flat topography, and most structures concentrated in the central and eastern portion of the County are not at risk to landslides. However, the Fresno County General Plan identifies State Route 168 in eastern Fresno County and State Route 198 in western Fresno County as areas that could be affected by landslides caused by earthquakes or heavy rains. Current data is limited, and future studies should evaluate the geologic conditions throughout the planning area. Other general impacts to property include road closures. Previous landslides have closed Los Gatos Road west of Coalinga, Huntington Lake Road, State Routes 168 and 180, SR-180, SR-168, SR-63, and Auberry Road.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Landslide susceptibility directly overlaps with most natural resource areas across the County. The likelihood of landslides occurring is determined by precipitation and wildfire occurring sequentially. In the event of a landslide there is potential for loss of lands, habitat, and disruption of waterbodies in areas of debris flow. The susceptibility of natural resource lands in Fresno County to landslides is less than other hazards such as wildfire but the risks around loss of topsoil and habitat conversions create a
13 Landslide | Impact (fema.gov) https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Landslide-Impact
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high scope of impact. Wildlife and plants face a compounding risk when presented with landslide events. Landslide susceptibility Is highest within the Sierra Nevada in the eastern portion of the county.
While susceptibility would be the highest in the eastern part of the County, landslides and rockfalls have minimal impacts to the natural environment; these impacts would be confined to a small area. There is a slight chance that a rockfall or landslide in the drainages above people and property could cause blockage and water backup from temporary landslide dams.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Landslides and mudslides have the power to disrupt vital utilities and communication lines as well are damage critical infrastructure. Based on nearby previous occurrences there is no reported damage to critical facilities. Pipelines for water, electrical distribution lines, and roadways are vulnerable to landslide impacts which could occur in sloped areas that extend into wildfire zones. With high landslide susceptibility along roadways in the Sierra Nevada as well as several fire stations there is a risk of emergency service disruption and impacts to evacuation.
However, there is not enough available data to determine whether there are any critical facilities located in landslide susceptible areas.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The severity of landslide problems is directly related to the extent of human activity in hazard areas.
Human activities such as property development and road construction can also exacerbate the occurrence of landslides. Future development should be done carefully to prevent landslide damage to property or people. Adverse effects can be mitigated by early recognition and avoiding incompatible land uses in these areas or by corrective engineering. Improving mapping and information on landslide hazards and incorporating this information into the development review process could prevent siting of structures and infrastructure in identified hazard areas. For example, Policy HS-D.11 Landslide Hazard Areas, states that in known or potential landslide hazard areas, the County shall prohibit avoidable alteration of land in a manner that could increase the hazard, including concentration of water through drainage, irrigation, or septic systems, undercutting the bases of slopes, removal of vegetative cover, and steepening of slopes.
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VULNERABILITY TO SEVERE WEATHER: EXTREME TEMPERATURES (EXTREME
COLD/FREEZE AND EXTREME HEAT) (LOW)
Extreme temperatures, both extreme heat and extreme cold, can pose a significant threat to people by causing health related illnesses and hypothermia. Populations without adequate housing will be exposed to these temperature extremes and be at increased risk of illness. Prolonged extreme temperatures can disrupt vital services and infrastructure. In Fresno County, extreme heat is more likely to occur west of the mountains and extreme cold within the mountainous areas of the county.
PEOPLE
Extreme Cold
Extreme cold pose significant health risks to the residents of Fresno County, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions. The drop in temperatures can lead to an increase in respiratory problems, hypothermia, and frostbite, especially for those without adequate heating or shelter. Homeless individuals are particularly at risk, as they may not have access to warm, indoor spaces during cold spells.
Severe winter weather can disrupt the daily life of residents. Power outages, often caused by heavy snowfall or ice accumulation on power lines, can lead to loss of heating and lighting in homes. This not only makes staying warm a challenge but can also disrupt communication and access to online resources. Transportation can be severely impacted, with icy roads and reduced visibility leading to hazardous driving conditions, public transport delays, and school closures. Businesses might face challenges during extreme cold events, including reduced foot traffic, difficulties in maintaining regular operations, and potential damage to premises and inventory. These disruptions can have a ripple effect on the local economy, affecting both business owners and employees. Additionally, increased heating costs during cold spells can strain household budgets, particularly for low-income families.
Extreme Heat
Exposure to extreme heat is a critical health hazard, leading to illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke are direct threats, while extreme temperatures also contribute to cardiovascular diseases, causing heart attacks and strokes. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that heat exhaustion contributed to approximately 4.2 deaths per 1 million Californians last year, making extreme heat the deadliest weather hazard in the United States. This risk affects diverse populations disproportionately.
Athletes are particularly vulnerable due to their exposure to high temperatures, physical exertion, and often wearing heat-trapping gear, especially in direct sunlight or areas with poor air quality. Children, reliant on adults for their safety, may lack access to adequate cooling in places like schools or daycares, increasing their risk. Older adults, especially those with cardiovascular issues or other medical conditions, are more susceptible to the effects of extreme heat. This group is also at a disadvantage during power outages that accompany heat events, particularly those reliant on life- sustaining devices or who are socially isolated.
Workers, both outdoor14 (like those in agriculture, construction, and emergency response) and indoor workers without access to cooling, face heightened risks of heat-related illnesses and injuries. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, fetal death, and
14 National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) Who is most at risk to extreme heat?
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infant mortality due to extreme heat.15 About one in four adults in the United States has a disability.
Therefore, there is a large population that can experience significant adverse impacts, even death, from extreme heat. They may also face challenges in accessing emergency warnings and accessible cooling shelters.
People experiencing homelessness are at a higher risk for heat-related issues due to a lack of reliable shelter, the risks are exacerbated by high living costs and insufficient affordable housing. In Fresno County, there as 4,216 people that are experiencing homelessness which is a 15.8 percent increase in 2020. Additionally, people with chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, mental illness, poor blood circulation, and obesity, are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses, with certain medications potentially worsening the effects of extreme heat.
Since agriculture is one of the top employment industries in the County, there are many farm workers who are exposed to extreme temperatures such as extreme heat. While there are some protections at the state level, California is one of a few states with laws that mandate employers provide water breaks, shade and rest for outdoor workers once temperatures reach certain levels, farmworkers are vulnerable to the weather conditions and are disproportionately impacted by heat. In fact, The Washington Center for Equitable Growth study estimates hot temperatures have caused at least 360,000 workplace injuries in California from 2001 to 2018, or about 20,000 injuries a year.16 Since the county has a high farmworker population and there have been previous farmwork deaths during extreme heat events, mitigation actions should work to mitigate future risk to the population.
PROPERTY
The risks of extreme temperatures are often profiled as part of larger hazards, such as severe winter storms or drought. However, as temperature variances may occur outside of larger hazards or outside of the expected seasons but still incur large costs, it is important to examine them as stand-alone hazards. Extreme heat may overload demands for electricity to run air conditioners in homes and businesses during prolonged periods of exposure and presents health concerns to individuals outside in the temperatures. Extreme heat may also be a secondary effect of droughts or may cause temporary drought-like conditions. For example, several weeks of extreme heat increases evapotranspiration and reduces moisture content in vegetation, leading to higher wildfire vulnerability for that time period even if the rest of the season is relatively moist.
Extreme heat can cause infrastructure damage to roads. Vulnerable factors can include building materials, insulation, and roofing that may not be adequately designed to withstand prolonged high temperatures. This can lead to increased energy consumption for cooling, potential structural damage, and even health risks for occupants. Moreover, properties lacking sufficient vegetation or green spaces may experience amplified heat effects, contributing to the urban heat island effect and exacerbating local temperature disparities.
Extreme cold impacts structures when pipes or water mains freeze and burst, causing damage.
Extreme cold may also lead to higher electricity and natural gas demands to maintain appropriate indoor heating levels combined with damage caused to the delivery infrastructure such as frozen lines and pipes. Cold may impact transportation as well. Exposed populations may be at risk while waiting for public transportation, particularly when combined with wind-chill, and some vehicles may not start
15 Kuehn, L., and S. McCormick, 2017: Heat Exposure and Maternal Health in the Face of Climate Change. Int. J. Environ. Res.
Public Health, 14(8), 853, doi:10.3390/ijerph14080853.
16 The Hidden Cost Of California’s Hot Workplaces: 20,000 Job Injuries A Year | LAist https://laist.com/news/climate- environment/the-hidden-cost-of-californias-hot-workplaces-20-000-job-injuries-a-year
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which impacts the commute of the workforce and, in worst case scenarios, the movement of emergency services personnel.
Based on previous extreme cold events, aside from millions of dollars in agricultural losses, the County has experienced over 500,000 million dollars in property losses and about 4 million dollars for extreme heat.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Extreme heat may cause temporary drought-like conditions. For example, several weeks of extreme heat increases evapotranspiration and reduces moisture content in vegetation, leading to higher wildfire vulnerability for that time period even if the rest of the season is relatively moist. Extreme cold has the same impacts on exposed wildlife as it does on exposed people. Changing heating and cooling patterns globally can have destructive secondary impacts, intensifying a variety of weather-related disasters that directly impact jurisdictions.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Extreme temperatures can impact pipe (extreme cold) and road infrastructure (extreme heat), but direct impacts to critical infrastructure is expected to be minimal. Critical infrastructure that relies on public utility systems that could be overloaded may see impacts during extreme temperature events. For extreme multi-day extreme heat or cold events, jurisdictions may need to open cooling or warming shelters to support those populations who are unable to seek relief from the temperature extremities.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Since structures are not usually directly impacted by severe temperature fluctuations, continued development is less impacted by this hazard than others in the plan. However, pre-emptive cautions such as construction of green buildings that require less energy to heat and cool, use of good insulation on pipes and electric wirings, and smart construction of walkways, parking structures, and pedestrian zones that minimize exposures to severe temperatures may help increase the overall durability of the buildings and the community to the variations. Continued development also implies continued population growth, which raises the number of individuals potentially exposed to variations. Public education efforts should continue to help the population understand the risks and vulnerabilities of outdoor activities, property maintenance, and regular exposures during periods of extreme heat and cold.
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VULNERABILITY TO SEVERE WEATHER: FOG (MEDIUM)
Fog issues are well documented in the Fresno County planning area. In recent years, there have been several large-scale accidents during periods of heavy fog. However, it should be noted that while fog is present, driver error is usually a significant contributory factor to these accidents. Fog is driven by weather patterns in the Central Valley that will continue to occur annually. According to the California Department of Transportation, nearly three in four fog-related traffic collisions are connected to motorists driving too fast. These collisions resulted in the highest fatality rates. Methods to prevent fog- related traffic collisions include reducing speed, driving with headlights on low beam, and use extra caution, use windshield wipers.17
PEOPLE
Reduced visibility is the greatest risk to people when heavy fog is prevalent. Particularly when fog is dense, it can be hazardous to drivers, mariners and aviators and contributes to numerous accidents each year. To reduce injury and harm, people should avoid driving when dense fog is prevalent, if possible. If driving is pertinent, emergency services advise driving with lights on low beam, watching for CHP pace vehicles to guide through fog, avoiding stopping on highways, and avoiding crossing traffic lanes.
PROPERTY
Based on historical information, the primary effect of fog has not resulted in significant damage to property, or the losses are typically covered by insurance.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
As referred to in the Climate Change Considerations section of the Fog hazard profile, California’s winter tule fog has declined dramatically over the past three decades, raising a red flag for the state’s multibillion dollar agricultural industry. Crops such as almonds, pistachios, cherries, apricots and peaches go through a necessary winter dormant period brought on and maintained by colder temperatures. Tule fog, a thick ground fog that descends upon the state’s Central Valley between late fall and early spring, helps contribute to this winter chill.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Fog can have devastating effects on transportation corridors in the County. Multi-car pileups have resulted from drivers using excessive speed for the conditions and visibility.
These accidents can cause multiple injuries and deaths and could have serious implications for human health and the environment if a hazardous or nuclear waste shipment were involved. Other disruptions from fog include delayed emergency response vehicles and school closures.
17 Safe Driving Tips for Foggy Conditions | Caltrans https://dot.ca.gov/caltrans-near-me/district-3/d3-news/d3-news- release-23-137
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Population and commercial growth in the County will increase the potential for complications with traffic accidents and commerce interruptions associated with dense fog.
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VULNERABILITY TO SEVERE WEATHER: HEAVY
RAIN/THUNDERSTORM/HAIL/LIGHTNING/WIND (LOW)
Many hazardous weather events are associated with thunderstorms. Under the right conditions, rainfall from thunderstorms causes flash flooding, killing more people each year than hurricanes, tornadoes or lightning. Lightning is responsible for many fires around the world each year, and it can cause fatalities.
Hail up to the size of softballs damages cars and windows and kills crops and livestock caught out in the open. Strong (up to more than 120 mph) straight-line winds associated with thunderstorms knock down trees, power lines and mobile homes.18
PEOPLE
Exposure is the greatest danger to people from severe thunderstorms. People can be hit by lightning, pelted by hail, and caught in rising waters. Serious injury and loss of human life is rarely associated with hailstorms.
While national data shows that lightning causes more injuries and deaths than any other natural hazard except extreme heat, there doesn’t seem to be any trend in the data to indicate that one segment of the population is at a disproportionately high risk of being directly affected. Anyone who is outside during a thunderstorm is at risk of being struck by lightning. Aspects of the population who rely on constant, uninterrupted electrical supplies may have a greater, indirect vulnerability to lightning. As a group, the elderly or disabled, especially those with home health care services relying on rely heavily on an uninterrupted source of electricity. Resident populations in nursing homes, residential facilities, or other special needs housing may also be vulnerable if electrical outages are prolonged. If they do not have a back-up power source, rural residents, and agricultural operations reliant on electricity for heating, cooling, and water supplies are also especially vulnerable to power outages. Thunderstorms have the potential energy and strong winds to topple dead trees and injure people.
PROPERTY
Based on historical information, the primary effect of these storms has not resulted in significant injury or damage to people and property, or the losses are typically covered by insurance. It is the secondary hazards caused by weather, such as floods, that have had the greatest impact on the County.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Severe thunderstorms are a natural environmental process. Environmental impacts include the sparking of potentially destructive wildfires by lightning and localized flattening of plants and crops by hail. As a natural process, the impacts of most severe thunderstorms by themselves are part of the overall natural cycle and do not cause long-term consequential damage.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Because of the unpredictability of severe thunderstorm strength and path, most critical infrastructure that is above ground is equally exposed to the storm’s impacts. Secondary impacts from these storms may include power outages which could significantly impact critical facilities and emergency services.
18 Severe Weather 101: Thunderstorm Basics (noaa.gov) https://www.nssl.noaa.gov/education/svrwx101/thunderstorms/
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
New critical facilities, such as communication towers should be built to withstand heavy rain, monsoon, and hail damage. Future development projects should consider severe weather hazards at the planning, engineering and architectural design stage with the goal of reducing vulnerability. Stormwater master planning and site review should be considered for all new development. Thus, development trends in the County are not expected to increase overall vulnerability to the hazard, but population growth will increase potential exposure to hazards such as lightning.
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VULNERABILITY TO SEVERE WEATHER: WINTER STORM (MEDIUM)
Winter storms can be dangerous from high winds, frigid temperatures, and precipitation (snow, sleet or freezing rain). These conditions can cause dangerous conditions on roads, physical illnesses such as hypothermia, and cause other weather-related injuries. Additionally, such extreme winter storms can disrupt critical facilities and services for a period of time.
PEOPLE
While virtually all aspects of the population are vulnerable to severe winter weather, there are segments of the population that are more vulnerable to the potential indirect impacts of a severe winter storm than others, particularly the loss of electrical power. If they do not have a back-up power source, rural residents reliant on electricity for heating and water supplies are also especially vulnerable to power outages. As a group, the elderly or disabled, especially those with home health care services that rely heavily on an uninterrupted source of electricity. Resident populations in nursing homes, residential facilities, or other special needs housing may also be vulnerable if electrical outages are prolonged.
Additionally, those populations experiencing homelessness are at greater risk of winter storms due to the exposure from lack adequate shelter. Supportive services for these populations should be provided during a winter storm event.
Public education efforts may help minimize the risks to future populations by increasing knowledge of appropriate mitigation behaviors, clothing, sheltering capacities, and decision-making regarding snow totals, icy roads, driving conditions, and outdoor activities (all of which are contributors to decreased public safety during severe winter storms.) Previous winter storm events have caused a number of fatalities and injuries.
New establishments or increased populations who are particularly vulnerable to severe winter storms (such as those with health concerns or those who live in communities that may be isolated for extended periods of time due to the hazard) should be encouraged to maintain at least a 72-hour self-sufficiency as recommended by FEMA. Encouraging contingency planning for businesses may help alleviate future economic losses caused by such hazards while simultaneously limiting the population exposed to the hazards during commuting or commerce-driven activities.
PROPERTY
Winter storms can cause significant impacts to property from buildings to homes from snowfall and ice.
Extreme temperatures from a winter storm can cause damage to pipes and can lead to leaks and flooding within interior spaces. Depending on the amount of snow and structural quality of roofs, snowfall can cause damage to roofs and in severe cases, collapse. Loose branches can drainpipes and damage guttering and roofs as well. In attention to homes, vehicles can be damaged from winter storms from car crashes and debris if storms are accompanied by strong winds. Previous winter storm events have caused vehicle accidents, and damage from fallen trees on homes, cabins, and outbuildings totaling over couple hundred thousand dollars.
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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Natural resources may be damaged by the severe winter weather, including broken trees and death of wildlife. Unseasonable storms may damage or kill plant, crops, and wildlife, which may impact natural food chains until the next growing season. Most of these impacts would be short-term.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Because of the unpredictability of severe winter storm strength and path, most critical infrastructure that is above ground is equally exposed to the storm’s impacts. However, it is important that critical facilities are prepared and braced for disruption from winter storms. For example, winter storms can cause power outages and critical facilities should have backup power sources for such events to continue operations and services. Additionally, roads are especially susceptible to the effects of a winter storm and can be significantly damaged, causing car accidents and road closures.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Future residential or commercial buildings in locations that receive large amounts of snow each year should be built to be able to withstand snow loads from severe winter storms. Jurisdictions within Sierra National Forest like Lakeshore, Big Creek, Cedar Grover and Rock Haven may benefit from taking these precautions. Population growth in these areas and growth in visitors will increase problems with road, business, and school closures, and increase the need for snow removal and emergency services related to severe winter weather events. Development in the County will increase the number of vehicles and persons vulnerable to this hazard.
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VULNERABILITY TO SEVERE WEATHER: TORNADOES (MEDIUM)
PEOPLE
Populations are the most vulnerable to tornados. The availability of sheltered locations such as basements, buildings constructed using tornado-resistant materials and methods, and public storm shelters, all reduce the exposure of the population. However, there are also segments of the population that are especially exposed to the indirect impacts of tornadoes, particularly the loss of electrical power.
These populations include the elderly or disabled, especially those with medical needs and treatments dependent on electricity. Nursing homes, Community Based Residential Facilities, and other special needs housing facilities are also vulnerable if electrical outages are prolonged since backup power generally operates only minimal functions for a short period of time.
Based on previous occurrences, there have been 60 recent tornadoes events in Fresno County ranging from EF0-EF2. According to the NOAA Storm Events Database, there have been zero deaths and six injuries.
PROPERTY
General damages are both direct (what the tornado physically destroys) and indirect, which focuses on additional costs, damages and losses attributed to secondary hazards spawned by the tornado, or due to the damages caused by the tornado. Depending on the size of the tornado and its path, a tornado is capable of damaging and eventually destroying almost anything. Construction practices and building codes can help maximize the resistance of the structures to damage.
Secondary impacts of tornado damage often result from damage to infrastructure. Downed power and communications transmission lines, coupled with disruptions to transportation, create difficulties in reporting and responding to emergencies. These indirect impacts of a tornado put tremendous strain on a community. In the immediate aftermath, the focus is on emergency services. Based on previous occurrences, there have been over 10 million dollars in property damage.
There are over eight million mobile homes in the United States and according to a 2018 study, mobile home residents are at increased risk to tornado impacts, injury, and mortality partly because these structures are inadequate to withstand tornadic winds. The likelihood of a tornado-related fatality in a mobile home is 15 to 20 times greater than in permanent homes. In Fresno County, there are several mobile homes in the jurisdiction and would be an increased risk for tornado impacts. 19 Recently, in March 2024, An EF3 tornado pummeled through Indian Lakes, Ohio, which is heavily occupied by mobile homes. Several deaths and injuries occurred, and a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) was declared. Nationwide, about 53% of all people killed at home by a tornado between 1996 and 2023 were killed in mobile and manufactured homes according to an AP analysis National Oceanic and Atmospheric and Administration data. 20
19 Severe Storm, Supercell, and Tornado Trends | Climate Central https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/severe- storm-supercell-and-tornado-trends-2023
20 Indian Lake tornadoes expose vulnerability of mobile homes (desmoinesregister.com) https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/state/2024/03/17/indian-lake-tornados-expose-vulnerability-of-mobile- homes/72984880007/
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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Tornadoes can cause massive damage to the natural environment, uprooting trees and other debris.
This is part of a natural process, however, and the environment will return to its original state in time.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Public gathering places including (but not limited to) schools, community centers, shelters, nursing homes and churches, may have increased impacts at certain times of day if struck by a tornado.
Tornados have the potential to cause major disruptions to critical facilities and services, all critical facilities are at risk as the direction and path of a tornado is not particularly more likely to occur in one area of the city to another. Tornado can cause power outages, disrupt communications, damage schools, and government facilities. Debris from the tornado can block and damage major highways and roads, which can make it difficult for emergency services to reach people in need of medical assistance.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
As the County continues to increase in population, the number of people and housing developments exposed to the hazard increases. Proper education on building techniques and the use of sturdy building materials, basements, attached foundations, and other structural techniques may minimize the property vulnerabilities. Public shelters at parks and open spaces may help reduce the impacts of tornadoes on the recreational populations exposed to storms.
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VULNERABILITY TO SOIL HAZARDS: EROSION (LOW)
Erosion is the geological process in which earthen materials are worn away and transported by natural forces such as wind or water.
PEOPLE
Erosion generally only damage structures, with no direct impacts on people.
PROPERTY
While impacts are slow to accumulate, costly damage to residences, facilities, roads, and other infrastructure could occur. Erosion occurs over a long period of time, though weather and other climatic factors can catalyze the magnitude of impact. Properties near construction sites are the most vulnerable to erosion, followed by structures on/near steep slopes, disturbed pits/quarries, and runoff channels.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
There are generally no significant impacts to the natural environment associated with erosion.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Roads, pipelines and facilities can be impacted but significant impacts are not anticipated.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Erosion controls such as silt fences, netting, and vegetative coverage can be utilized to minimize soil erosion around at-risk properties. During construction, erosion risk can be reduced through the use of paved roads and runoff control features, while vegetation removal should be minimized, and drainage ditches constructed only where necessary.
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VULNERABILITY TO SOIL HAZARDS: EXPANSIVE SOILS (LOW)
Expansive soils are those with excessive swelling clay minerals such as montmorillonite. The presence of expansive clay minerals in soils can cause excessive swelling when the soil comes into contact with water and also shrinkage when it undergoes drying.
PEOPLE
No direct impacts on people are anticipated. Should an impact occur, it is anticipated to be localized.
PROPERTY
While impacts are slow to accumulate, costly damages property could occur. The majority of the hazard’s significance is drawn from the exposure of existing development to this hazard. Older construction may not be resistant to the swelling soil conditions and, therefore, may experience expensive and potentially extensive damages. This includes heaving sidewalks, structural damage to walls and basements, the need to replace windows and doors, or dangers and damages caused by ruptured pipelines. Newer construction may have included mitigation techniques to avoid most damage from the hazard, but the dangers continue if mitigation actions are not supported by homeowners. For example, the maintenance of grading away from foundations and the use of appropriate landscaping near structures must be continued to prevent an overabundance of water in vulnerable soils near structures. While continued public education efforts may help increase compliance for landscaping and interior finishing mitigation actions, physical reconstruction of foundations is probably not feasible in all but the most heavily impacted of existing development. Therefore, damages may be expected into the future for existing structures.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Roads, pipelines and facilities can be impacted but significant impacts are not anticipated.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
No significant impacts are anticipated.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The recognition of expansive soils typically allows it to be mitigated in future development.
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VULNERABILITY TO SOIL HAZARDS: LAND SUBSIDENCE (MEDIUM) The majority of land subsidence is caused by groundwater pumping, which has been a significant within Fresno County and the greater San Joaquin Valley for decades. In fact, this area has one of the largest land subsidence rates, with more than 1 foot of land subsidence per year.
PEOPLE
Typically, this hazard results in property damage, not risk to human life.
PROPERTY
Subsidence may result in serious structural damage to buildings, roads, irrigation ditches, underground utilities, and pipelines. It can disrupt and alter the flow of surface or underground water. Weight, including surface developments such as roads, reservoirs, and buildings and manmade vibrations from such activities as blasting or heavy truck or train traffic can accelerate natural processes of subsidence, or incur subsidence over manmade voids. Fluctuations in the level of underground water caused by pumping or by injecting fluids into the earth can initiate sinking to fill the empty space previously occupied by water or soluble minerals. Available data prevented further estimation of loss potential.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Linear infrastructure (roads, buried pipelines) tends to have the most risk of land subsidence.
Infrastructure at risk includes levees (which can lower their ability to contain flood flows), the California Aqueduct, and Interstate 5. Other buried infrastructure on the west side of the Valley could be at risk as well. Canals such as the mighty Friant-Kern, delivering water to farms along the valley’s eastside, and the California Aqueduct to the westside farms and onto southern California, can shift, stopping water from following the designs of gravity downhill and preventing its efficient delivery.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Typically, there is little impact to the natural environment from this hazard.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The areas with the highest susceptibility to subsidence include the western edge of the Central Valley, where development trends have been slower than the more urbanized areas of the County. As such, vulnerability to this hazard is not anticipated to increase with new development, provided that land use planning and engineering practices are followed. Increased efforts to monitor and manage groundwater pumping, increased accuracy of mapping, and emphasis on appropriate grading and ground compaction during development will help alleviate vulnerability for future development in unknown areas of risk.
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VULNERABILITY TO VOLCANOES (LOW)
The Mono Lake-Long Valley area located adjacent to the north and east of the northernmost areas of Fresno County is the only known volcanic hazard to Fresno County (shown in X). Because of the limited area affected and remote potential of an eruption, the significance is rated low. A more likely scenario would involve ash from a regional event which result in 2 or more inches across much of the mountainous region including Millerton Lake, Pine Flat Lake to the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
PEOPLE
While a remote possibility for Fresno County, volcanoes could have significant impacts on people.
These include ash accumulation on the ground and in the air, that can affect the ability to breathe. More significant, though remote, could be the need to evacuate the area entirely, and a temporary or permanent relocation of large segments of the population.
PROPERTY
Volcanoes can cause two major types of impacts to the built environment. One type of impact has to do with the accumulation of ash and eruption debris on infrastructure, which needs to be removed. The other type of impact is direct impacts from lava flows and lahars, which can destroy buildings and infrastructure in their path. Due to the remote possibility of occurrence damage is not anticipated to be significant in the near future.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Volcanoes can have significant impacts on the natural environment. The direct impacts of volcanoes can also destroy the landscape around the eruption – flattening trees, starting fires, moving debris and contaminating water sources. Volcanic eruptions can even affect the global climate. According to research conducted by NASA, after Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted in 1991, strong winds spread the aerosol particles from the plume around the globe. The result was a measurable cooling of the Earth’s surface for a period of almost two years.
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Due to the low probability of this hazard and Mono Lake Valley Hazard Area stopping short of Fresno County jurisdictional boundaries, there are no critical facilities that are impacted. However, ash from the volcanic eruption could cause damage or disruption to critical services on the eastern side of the County.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
The Mono Lake-Long Valley area located adjacent to the north and east of the northernmost areas of Fresno County is the only known volcanic hazard to Fresno County. Development near the Valley is more at risk to volcanic ash than lava flow based on the lahar zone for the volcano. Destructive impacts of a volcanic eruption cannot be easily mitigated by building codes or smart construction.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; Peters, J., Mangan, et al, 2019, California volcano locations, threat rank and hazard zones: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://doi.org//10.5066/P9XT483X
Figure 74. Fresno County Long Valley Volcanic Region
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VULNERABILITY TO WILDFIRE (HIGH)
Fresno County planning area’s wildfire risk and vulnerability is of significant concern, with some areas of the planning area being at greater risk than others as described further in this section. High fuel loads in the planning area, along with geographical and topographical features create the potential for both natural and human-caused fires that can result in loss of life and property. These factors, combined with natural weather conditions common to the area, including periods of drought, low relative humidity, and periodic winds, can result in frequent and sometimes catastrophic fires. Even the relatively flat and more urbanized area of central Fresno is not immune from fire. During the fire season, the dry vegetation and hot and sometimes windy weather combined with a denser population result in an increase in the number of ignitions.
Fresno County’s wildfire vulnerability is the result of increased development encroaching into forested and annual grassland areas, typically referred to as the wildland-urban interface. As development continues throughout the planning area, especially in the interface, the risk and vulnerability to wildfires will likely increase. Two fire safe councils have been created to address this increased wildfire threat in the wildland-urban interface: Highway 168 and Oak to Timberline fire safe councils.
PEOPLE
Wildfires can be deadly to populations and pose a risk to public health. However, in the planning area, it is more likely that the planning area will be impacted by poor air quality driven by wildfire smoke from near wildfires in the county or state. However, if a wildfire were to impact the planning area, the below section outlined possible impacts to the population.
Public Health
Evacuation
Communities may need to evacuate their homes in order to remove themselves from the direct path of the wildfire. However, some individuals may not have the resources or access to emergency information in order to evacuate. Unfortunately, in some cases, there may not be enough warning time for communities to evacuate even if they have the resources to evacuate before the wildfire burns through. Populations that may have difficulty, may not have the resources, or may experience barriers to evacuation, include but are not limited to:
▪ Rural communities
▪ Individuals with disabilities
▪ Individuals with limited English proficiency
▪ Individuals with limited or no access to the internet or emergency information ▪ Individuals with no access to personal transportation ▪ Older adults
Additionally, individuals and communities may not be aware of shelters to evacuate to or have friends or family to stay with during the evacuation.
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Wildfire Smoke and Poor Air Quality
Particulate matter from wildfire smoke can worsen air quality and cause adverse health effects to population health. Wildfire exposes communities to multiple environmental hazards from combustion due to the fire itself to air pollution from smoke and byproducts of combustion and ash. Approximately 90 percent of total particle mass emitted from wildfires consists of fine particles (i.e., PM2.5). Impacts of poor air quality from wildfire smoke include the following:
▪ Eye and respiratory tract irritation
▪ Reduced lung function
▪ Bronchitis
▪ Exacerbation of asthma
▪ Heart failure
▪ Premature death
▪ Aggravation of pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease ▪ Persistent cough, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the severity of air quality and is broken down into 6 categories to communicate the level of health concern for public health, shown in the table below.
Table 154. Air Quality Index
Air Quality Index
Levels of Health
Concern
Numerical
Value Description
Good
(Green) 0 to 50 Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.
Moderate
(Yellow) 51 to 100
Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups
(Orange)
101 to 150 Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is not likely to be affected.
Unhealthy
(Red) 151 to 200 Everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.
Very Unhealthy
(Light Purple) 201 to 300 Health alert; everyone may experience more serious health effects.
Hazardous
(Dark Red) 301 to 500 Health warnings of emergency conditions. The entire population is more likely to be affected.
Source: AQI
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The majority of healthy adults and children will recover quickly from wildfire smoke exposure and poor air quality and will not experience long-term health consequences. However, certain at-risk populations may be at greater risk of experiencing severe acute and chronic symptoms which include individuals with asthma and other lung disease, children, older adults, individuals experiencing homelessness and outdoor workers. 21
Air pollution in and around western parts of Fresno County are already elevated due to cars, trucks, factories, and other activities in the area. Based on the CalEnviroScreen, Western Fresno County has the highest percentile in PM2.5 and ozone.
Wildfire Vulnerability on Population
The historical and potential impacts of wildfire on populations include threat of injury or death, possible agricultural sector job loss, secondary economic losses to businesses located in the wildland-urban interface and within or near wildland resources like parks and national forests, and loss of public access to recreational resources. Fire suppression may also require increased cost to local and state government for water acquisition and delivery, especially during periods of drought when water resources are scarce. With the population moving to the foothills, road and home construction is increasing, therefore, more people will be at risk to wildfires.
The data and mapping demonstrate variations in vulnerability (population, population growth and density) across jurisdictions, and enables the analysis to identify the location of each jurisdiction relative to its risk zone on the wildfire risk map. Other at-risk populations include the location of the County’s wildland recreational areas where persons might be located during a wildfire event, such as state and national parks and forests.
Wildfire risk is of greatest concern to populations residing in the moderate, high, and very high wildfire threat zones. GIS was used to estimate populations within the hazard zones, based on the residential parcels with improvements in the wildfire threat zones. Results are shown by census tract in Table 155.
Populations at Risk of Wildfire: Fresno County Planning Area. Census tracts do not always adhere to local boundaries; if a census tract was completely within a city boundary or unincorporated Fresno County it was labeled as such in the following tables. If a tract intersected more than one jurisdiction, all jurisdictions within the tract were labeled in the following tables.
Table 155. Populations at Risk of Wildfire: Fresno County Planning Area Jurisdiction(s) Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones
Moderate High Very High
Clovis; Fresno;
Unincorporated Fresno
County
167 0 0
Clovis; Unincorporated
Fresno County
2,494 2,070 827
Coalinga; unincorporated
Fresno County
1,411 4,064 1,935
21 WILDFIRE SMOKE: A GUIDE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS (airnow.gov) https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2021-05/wildfire-smoke-guide-revised-2019-chapters-1-3.pdf
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Huron; Unincorporated
Fresno County
168 267 0
Mendota; Unincorporated
Fresno County
316 762 67
Reedley; Unincorporated
Fresno County
135 68 0
Unincorporated Fresno
County
687 4,125 2,947
Totals 5,378 11,356 5,775
Sources: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and Fresno County data
In another assessment of community vulnerability, the 2010 FRAP assessment utilized the Priority Landscape unit of analysis and defined it as the convergence of areas with high wildfire threat and human infrastructure assets. The analytical framework follows the same pattern of aligning threats with key assets to define the priority landscape. In this case, the threat is specific to the nature of fire that can cause significant losses to human infrastructure, personal property and pose a risk to public safety.
These risk areas are shown in Figure 75. Fresno County Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Zones.
Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalFIRE ArcGIS Online Portal; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalFIRE ArcGIS Online Portal; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 75. Fresno County Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Zones
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PROPERTY
The historical and potential impacts of wildfire on property include crop loss, injury and death of livestock and pets, and damage to infrastructure, homes and other buildings located throughout the wildfire risk area, with greatest potential impact on property, buildings and infrastructure located within high and very high hazard zones including the urban-wildland interface, and buildings and infrastructure located within forested lands, including (but not limited to) national forests and parks. With the population moving to the foothills, road and home construction is increasing, therefore, more properties and structures are likely at risk and will continue to be at risk if wildfire mitigation actions are not initiated.
METHODOLOGY
Using CAL FIRE’s Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), an assessment of wildfire risk in the Fresno County planning area. GIS was used to create a centroid, or point, representing the center of each parcel polygon, which was overlaid on the wildfire layer. For the purposes of this analysis, the wildfire hazard zone that intersected the centroid was assigned as the hazard zone for the entire parcel. For purposes of this analysis, it was assumed that every parcel with an improved value greater than zero was developed in some way. Only improved parcels and the value of their improvements were analyzed. The wildfire data was acquired from the CAL FIRE Fire and Resource Assessment Program; the layer used was the Fire Hazard Severity Zones, Very High zones in LRA.
The results are summarized in the tables and maps that follow. The Community Wildfire Threat used in this analysis was derived from a new and unique spatial dataset, Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ).
This dataset was explicitly built for adopting new ignition-resistant building code standards and adopted by the California Building Commission in 2007. It is constructed to describe the nature and probability of fire exposure to structures, including those lands that are highly urbanized, but in close proximity to open wildlands (WUI). Details of the FHSZ mapping project are available on the FRAP website.
As the following Figure 76. Fresno County Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones illustrates that there is a significant fire hazard in the eastern and far western portions of the County. The majority of the structures in the WUI are in the Sierra foothills region.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalFIRE, ArcGIS Online Portal; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 76. Fresno County Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones
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Once the number of parcels and their values were determined, contents values were estimated (based on HAZUS inventory data) to determine total values at risk by hazard zone. Overlaying the fire hazard severity zone map with the County parcel layer, it is evident that the Fresno County planning area has significant assets at risk to wildfire. Further information on the parcels, buildings, and values at risk to wildfire are provided in Table 156. Parcels, Buildings, and Values at Risk from Wildfire by Severity and Table 157. Parcels, Buildings, and Values at Risk from Wildfire by Property Type.
Table 156. Parcels, Buildings, and Values at Risk from Wildfire by Severity Fire Severity
Type
Parcel Count Building
Count
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value
Very High 10,500 7,010 $274,775,201 $143,167,719 $418,147,320 High 9,416 8,481 $129,022,493 $164,156,078 $293,277,381 Moderate 2,947 1,717 $49,694,149 $35,718,516 $85,412,665 Total 22,863 17,208 $453,491,843 $343,042,313 $796,837,366
Table 157. Parcels, Buildings, and Values at Risk from Wildfire by Property Type Fire
Severity
Type
Property
Type
Parcels Building
Count
Improved
Value ($)
Land Value
($)
Total
Assessor
Value ($)
Moderate
Agricultural 160 14 $17,741,004 $17,391,307 $35,132,311 Apartments 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Church 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Office/
Professional
Space
0 0 $0 $0 $0
Outlot &
Common Area 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Primary Use
Not
Designated
35 4 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Single-Family
Residence 95 160 $31,619,174 $14,726,259 $46,345,433
Vacant 220 4 $333,971 $3,600,950 $3,934,921
Unknown 2,437 1,535 $0 $0 $0
Total 2,947 1,717 $49,694,149 $35,718,516 $85,412,665
High
Agricultural 305 146 $29,695,292 $22,652,828 $52,391,620 Apartments 1 2 $15,767 $68,325 $84,092
Church 2 5 $597,244 $97,745 $694,989
Commercial 6 6 $6,088,420 $1,052,563 $7,144,393
Industrial 30 32 $47,971,460 $104,774,399 $152,797,759
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Fire
Severity
Type
Property
Type
Parcels Building
Count
Improved
Value ($)
Land Value
($)
Total
Assessor
Value ($)
Office/
Professional
Space
2 4 $201,468 $21,246 $222,714
Outlot &
Common Area 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Primary Use
Not
Designated
90 36 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 1 1 $12,734 $15,664 $28,398
Single-Family
Residence 395 674 $43,729,477 $23,564,953 $67,294,430
Vacant 993 65 $710,631 $11,908,355 $12,618,986
Unknown 7,591 7,510 $0 $0 $0
Total 9,416 8,481 $129,022,493 $164,156,078 $293,277,381 Very High
Agricultural 486 235 $8,353,374 $17,806,161 $26,159,535 Apartments 0 0 $0 $0 $0
Church 1 1 $245,547 $115,092 $360,639
Commercial 1 1 $25,506 $11,295 $36,801
Industrial 3 0 $) $30,501 $30,501
Office/
Professional
Space
0 0 $0 $0 $0
Outlot &
Common Area 8 8 $0 $1,012 $1,012
Primary Use
Not
Designated
201 68 $0 $0 $0
Recreation 5 4 $283,951 $447,894 $731,845
Single-Family
Residence 577 311 $264,346,339 $82,162,231 $346,508,570 Vacant 547 132 $1,520,484 $42,593,533 $44,318,417
Unknown 8,671 6,250 $0 $0 $0
Total 10,500 7,010 $274,775,201 $143,167,719 $418,147,320 Sources: Fresno County Assessor’s Office; California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CA Department of Forestry & Fire Protection, CalFIRE, FHSZ, effective 4/1/2024; CalTrans; County of Fresno -–GIS; Microsoft, U.S. Building Footprints, 2019
Figure 77. Fresno County Wildfire Hazard Severity Zones & Structure at Risk
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NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: WILDFIRE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO ECOSYSTEMS Natural resources are important to include in benefit-cost analyses for future projects and may be used to leverage additional funding for mitigation projects that also contribute to community goals for protecting natural resources. Awareness of natural assets can lead to opportunities for meeting multiple objectives. For instance, protecting watersheds will help maintain the quantity and quality of water, timber production and promote carbon sequestration.
Given the previous discussion on wildfire frequency and severity, research conducted as part of the 2010 FRAP Assessment brings to light the factors that shape the potential impact of wildfire events, namely the vulnerability characteristics of ecosystems, populations, buildings and infrastructure that lie within wildfire risk areas within the planning area and beyond.
With regard to ecosystems, Figure 78. Defining Wildfire Priority Landscapes shows the analytical framework for identifying the Priority Landscape to assess the risk and feed the mitigation strategy for dealing with preventing damage to ecosystems as a result of wildfire.
In analyzing the threats, the Assessment defined a particular small area as a Stand-Level threat and is derived from FRAP’s fire threat data compiled in 2004. It is based on fuel conditions, observed fire frequency and expected fire weather conditions.
The Landscape-Level wildfire threat attempts to capture the threat of damage to ecosystems at the landscape scale. This is derived by calculating the percentage of each vegetation type in each unique tree seed zone that is “unhealthy”, based on being in a condition class that indicates significant deviation from historical fire regimes–specifically the proportion of a given ecosystem that is in either condition class two or three. This approach recognizes that stand-level threats have elevated importance if cumulatively they have potential to damage broader landscape-level ecosystems. A detailed discussion of the metrics can be found on the FRAP website (http://frap.fire.ca.gov/assessment2003/Chapter3_Quality/wildfire.html).
Overall, results of the Assessment indicate that Priority Landscape identifies priority areas within ecosystems that have high levels of threat from future fires, and should be viewed as a basic assessment of need for strategies and adoption of tools to protect these key areas in the future. It is constructed by combining stand- and landscape-level threats to create a composite threat map, and classifying the final product into low, medium, and high priority landscapes. The following maps depict the Assessment findings, showing Fresno County Wildfire Priority Landscapes based on threats to water supply and water quality. Trends in landscape characteristics indicate high threats to water quality and supply in the eastern portion of the County, in the Sierra Nevada region.
Figure 78. Defining Wildfire Priority Landscapes
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS, CalFIRE – FRAP, California’s Forests & Rangelands: 2010 Assessment
Figure 79. Fresno County Wildfire Priority Landscape - Water Supply
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS CalFire – FRAP, California’s Forests and Rangelands: 2010 Assessment
Figure 80. Fresno County Wildfire Priority Landscape - Water Quality
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal FIRE ArcGIS Online Portal; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 81. Fresno County Reduce Wildfire Risk to Forest Ecosystems
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The Fresno County planning area has substantial cultural and natural resources located throughout the County as previously described. Wildfires also cause watershed and ecosystem losses. These losses include impacts to water supplies and water quality as well as air quality. Another loss is to the aesthetic value of the area. Major fires that result in visible damage detract from that value. Other natural resources at risk from wildfire include wildland recreation areas, wildlife and habitat areas, rangeland, and timber resources. The loss to these natural resources would be significant.
The historical and potential impacts of wildfire on the natural environment are widespread throughout public and private lands within the County, exacerbated by drought and tree mortality, with impacts to all flora and fauna, and the destabilization (erosion, subsidence) of land dependent on healthy plants and trees for stability.
The data and mapping captures the full range of vulnerable species, habitat types, biotic regions, parks and forests, and other environmental features within Fresno County. Also provided is each jurisdiction’s location within these natural areas, and the location of both jurisdictions and natural areas/species relative the wildfire risk zones on the wildfire risk map. It should be noted that those species and natural zones most greatly affected by drought appear to be most vulnerable to wildfire. The history of drought and (pine) tree mortality locations (section 4.2.4, p. 25, 26) in the County highly correlates with the Very High hazard zone on the Wildfire Severity Map (Source:
http://frap.fire.ca.gov/projects/projects_drought).
CRITICAL FACILITIES
Wildfire impacts to critical facilities include structural damage or destruction, risk to persons located within facilities, and interruption of facility operations and critical functions. Critical facilities are those community components that are most needed to withstand the impacts of disaster as previously described in Section 4.3.1. An analysis was performed using GIS software to determine where critical facilities are located within the wildfire threat zones. Table 158. Critical Facilities at Risk to Wildfire by Hazard Class: Fresno County Planning Area lists the critical facilities in the different wildfire hazard zones for the entire Fresno County planning area.
Table 158. Critical Facilities at Risk to Wildfire by Hazard Class: Fresno County Planning Area Jurisdiction Fire Severity Facility Type Counts
Unincorporated
Very High
Communications Facilities 16
Fire Stations 6
Electric Power Facilities 4
Schools 2
High
Communications Facilities 2
Fire Stations 7
Electric Power Facilities 3
Schools 9
Moderate Communications Facilities 3
Sources: Fresno County GIS, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
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FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Given that large, destructive fires continue to plague California communities (and Fresno County), recent research points out that such impacts are related to growth/land-use development and federal, state and local policy makers continue to expand the demarcations of the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). Because future development encompasses all forms of property, buildings, infrastructure, critical facilities and all related populations and their functions, drought impacts to future development align with the historical and potential impacts to populations, property, natural environment, and critical facilities discussed (above). Population growth and development in Fresno County is on the rise.
Additional growth and development within the WUI interface will continue to increase the risk and vulnerability of the planning area to damaging wildfires. However, the County has adopted policies to try and reduce damage to structures and people including, HS-A.G which states that new development should have adequate fire protection, including proximity to adequate emergency services, adequate provision for fire flow and emergency vehicle access and fire hardened communication, including high speed internet service.
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Source : CA Geoportal ; CA-DFW ; CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalFIRE, ArcGIS Online Portal ; CalTrans ; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 82. Fresno County Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Zones
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In general, continuing past trends, much development in Fresno County is projected on land currently used for agriculture.
Overall Community Impact
The overall impact to the community from a severe wildfire includes:
▪ Injury and loss of life;
▪ Commercial and residential structural damage;
▪ Decreased water quality in area watersheds;
▪ Increase in post-fire hazards such as flooding, sedimentation, and mudslides; ▪ Damage to natural resource habitats and other resources, such as timber and rangeland; ▪ Loss of water, power, roads, phones, and transportation, which could impact, strand, and/or impair mobility for emergency responders and/or area residents; ▪ Economic losses (jobs, sales, tax revenue) associated with loss of commercial structures; ▪ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values; ▪ Loss of churches, which could severely impact the social fabric of the community; ▪ Loss of schools, which could severely impact the entire school system and disrupt families and teachers, as temporary facilities and relocations would likely be needed; and ▪ Impact on the overall mental health of the community.
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HUMAN-CAUSED HAZARDS
This risk assessment differs from the risk assessment for natural hazards in that it does not include an assessment of potential losses from human-caused hazards. Such an assessment is very difficult, primarily because of how unpredictable and complex such events are. Human-caused hazard events are often measured in terms such as human lives and economic disruption as well as the value of the facilities actually impacted. The value of impacted facilities is often negligible as compared to public health and human impacts as well as the and the economic impact of affected local, regional, national, and world markets. The unpredictability of human-caused hazard events creates a level of complexity in modeling potential losses which is often covered in other planning mechanisms and is well beyond the scope of this DMA planning effort.
The risk assessment process for human-caused hazards identifies the areas most susceptible to potential hazard events by evaluating which populations and facilities are most vulnerable to human- caused hazards. It is presented in two sections: Hazard Identification and Profiles: Human Caused- Hazards and Asset Inventory and Vulnerability Assessment.
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND PROFILES: HUMAN-CAUSED
Natural hazards, while essentially uncontrollable events, do follow the fundamental laws of earth science and physics. Therefore, the types, frequencies, and locations of many natural hazards can be identified and often predicted with a certain level of confidence. For example, within floodplains, it can be stated that in any given year there is a 1 percent chance of a flood event at a given discharge and flood depth that will be equaled or exceeded. These predictions are based on historical flood records combined with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling. In many cases, warning systems are in place to notify the public of a pending natural event. The same is not usually true for human-caused hazards.
With human-caused hazards, the recurrence interval cannot be predicted and human behaviors, such as incompetence, carelessness or malice cannot be forecast with any level of accuracy. While some warning systems have been established to notify at risk populations of impending threats from human- caused hazards, these types of hazards usually do not follow a predictable pattern. The potential exists for most types of human-caused hazards to occur anywhere at any time. Due to their unpredictability, human-caused hazards can pose great danger to public health and safety. Education, warning, and response capability are particularly important in preparing for human- caused incidents.
Human-caused hazards are hazards that directly result from human activity. These hazards can be accidental or intentional. FEMA guidance generally separates human-caused hazards into two broad categories: technological hazards (accidental) and terrorism hazards (intentional). The HMPC chose to only address technological hazards associated with a hazardous materials release in this plan.
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HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENTS (LOW/MEDIUM/HIGH)
Hazardous Material Incidents usually result from accidents or system failures. These hazards are largely unforeseen and therefore are difficult to predict with any level of accuracy. Hazards of concern in Fresno County include fixed facility incidents and transportation incidents (these are discussed further below); in other words, facilities and operations that produce, transport, store, and/or use hazardous materials.
Hazardous materials are substances that are flammable or combustible, explosive, toxic, noxious, corrosive, reactive, an oxidizer, an irritant, carcinogenic, or radioactive. These materials can harm people through skin contact, inhalation, ingestion, or pharmaceutical action. Hazardous materials have the potential to be released into the environment during use, processing, storage, and transport or when improperly disposed. The release of a hazardous material can pose a risk to life safety, public health, and property and can result in the evacuation of a few people, a portion of a facility, or an entire area. Other concerns include impacts to air quality, water quality, and other short- and long-term impacts to the natural environment. As a result of these risks, the use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials is highly regulated at the federal, state, and local levels.
Hazardous materials are everywhere, and spills or releases occur in this nation on a daily basis.
According to FEMA, the impact to life and property from any given release depends on a number of factors:
▪ Application Mode describes the human act(s) or unintended event(s) necessary to cause the hazard to occur.
▪ Duration is the length of time the hazard is present on the target. ▪ The dynamic/static characteristic of a hazard describes its tendency, or that of its effects, to either expand, contract, or remain confined in time, magnitude, and space. ▪ Mitigating conditions are characteristics of the target and its physical environment that can reduce the effects of a hazard.
▪ Exacerbating conditions are characteristics that can enhance or magnify the effects of a hazard
Additional factors contribute to the impact of hazardous materials releases from a fixed facility or transportation incident: Cal A
▪ Solid, liquid, and/or gaseous hazardous materials can be released from fixed or mobile containers either accidentally or on purpose
▪ The resulting release can last for hours or for days. ▪ The substances released may be corrosive or otherwise damaging over time, and they may cause an explosion and/or fire.
▪ Contamination may be carried out of the incident area by people, vehicles, water, and/or wind. ▪ Weather conditions will directly affect how the hazard develops. ▪ The micrometeorological effects of buildings and terrain can alter travel and duration of agents. ▪ Shielding in the form of sheltering in place can protect people and property from harmful effects.
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▪ Noncompliance with fire and building codes as well as failure to maintain existing fire protection and containment features can substantially increase the damage from a hazardous materials release.
FIXED FACILITY INCIDENTS
Industrial accidents occur due to inadequate human oversight, or the failure of systems used to move or store materials, such as pipes and storage tanks. Numerous facilities in the Fresno County region have been identified as sites that store hazardous materials as part of their daily operations. The threat that these sites pose to the region depends on the type of material present and the proximity of these facilities to populations and whether or not these materials are transported.
In order to identify those facilities with the greatest potential for a hazardous materials release that could adversely impact communities within the Fresno County planning area, the HMPC took an initial inventory of potential sites by utilizing data from the California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP). The program was implemented on January 1, 1997, and replaced the California Risk Management and Prevention Program (RMPP). The purpose of the CalARP program is to prevent accidental releases of substances that can cause serious harm to the public and the environment, to minimize the damage if releases do occur, and to satisfy community right- to-know laws. This is accomplished by requiring businesses that handle more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance listed in the regulations to develop a Risk Management Plan (RMP). An RMP is a detailed engineering analysis of the potential accident factors present at a business and the mitigation measures that can be implemented to reduce this accident potential. The RMP contains:
▪ Safety information
▪ A hazard review
▪ Operating procedures
▪ Training requirements
▪ Maintenance requirements
▪ Compliance audits
▪ Incident investigation procedures
The CalARP program is implemented at the local government level by Unified Program Agencies (UPAs). Of benefit to the HMPC’s efforts to address hazardous materials incidents is the fact that the CalARP program is designed so that UPA’s work directly with regulated facilities.
Figure 83. Fresno County California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) Facilities (below) identifies all CalARP regulated facilities within the planning area, as well as the location and density of such facilities in relation to jurisdictions (at risk population centers), and critical infrastructure such as railways and major transportation routes. The mapped sites below represent those most critical (CalARP) sites as determined by the HMPC for the purposes of the plan update.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS CalEPA Regulated Site Portal, sitepotal.calpa.ca.gov/nsite/map/results data downloaded 3/27/2024
Figure 83. Fresno County California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP) Facilities
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▪ In addition to the Cal ARP sites mapped (above), the following sites are identified in the Fresno County 2040 General Plan, Environmental Impact Report or from other federal sources:
▪ As of June 2020, there are 45 active Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUST) sites. ▪ According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there are 7 National Priorities List and Superfund Alternative Approach Sites in Fresno County.22 ▪ There are 1,678 small quantity hazardous waste generators and 150 large quantity hazardous waste generators in Fresno County.
▪ There are several hazardous waste disposal locations in Fresno County for Household Hazardous Waste Disposal (HHW)23
▪ Agriculture operations in proximity to urbanized areas, particularly near residential uses, present some risks associated with agricultural chemicals (pesticides and fertilizers). As more residential development is built close to existing agricultural uses, risks associated with agricultural chemicals may increase
Table 159. Hazmat Facilities by Jurisdiction identifies the number of hazardous materials facilities within each jurisdiction and in unincorporated Fresno County. It is useful as a cross-reference to illustrate how the risk varies by jurisdiction.
Table 159. Hazmat Facilities by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Counts
Clovis 2
Coalinga 1
Firebaugh 1
Fowler 2
Fresno 28
Huron 3
Kingsburg 5
Mendota 2
Orange Cove 2
Reedley 8
Sanger 6
Selma 2
Unincorporated 107
Total 169
Source: CalARP
22 Search for Superfund Sites Where You Live | US EPA https://www.epa.gov/superfund/search-superfund-sites-where-you- live
23 Landfill Operations - County of Fresno (fresnocountyca.gov) https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Public- Works-and-Planning/divisions-of-public-works-and-planning/resources-and-parks-division/landfill-operations
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The Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program tracks the industrial management of toxic chemicals that may cause harm to human health and the environment. TRI data are reported by certain industrial and federal facilities. TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. (A "release" of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air or water or placed in some type of land disposal.). The information submitted by facilities is compiled in the Toxics Release Inventory. TRI helps support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the public.
In Fresno County, there are 33 TRI sites across Clovis, Fresno, Kerman, Kingsburg, San Joaquin, Selma, and Unincorporated Fresno County, shown in map x. There are two facilities in Clovis, 18 in Fresno, one in Kerman, one in Kingsburg, one in San Joaquin, one in Selma, and nine unincorporated.
Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS; EPA, Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Program, Basic Data Files Calendar Year 1987 – Present, California, 2022
Figure 84. Fresno County Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Facilities
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TRANSPORTATION INCIDENTS (E.G., RAIL, HIGHWAY)
Transportation incidents can occur during the transportation of hazardous materials to and from storage facilities. The most likely routes for the transportation of hazardous materials are major roadways and railroads. Two major north-south roadways are located in Fresno County. Highway 99 runs through the central part of the County and provides a north-south corridor through several counties. Most of the County’s industrial and residential activity is positioned along Highway 99. In western Fresno County, Interstate 5 traverses the County at the base of the Coast Range foothills. State Routes 33, 41, 43, 63, 145, 168, 180, 198, and 269 provide local service to urban and rural areas in the County. A network of County roads connects the various communities to these major arteries. Major rail lines include Union Pacific, Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Company, Port Railroads, Inc., and San Joaquin Valley Railroad. The major transportation corridors and rail lines are illustrated in Figure 85. Fresno County Transportation System and Figure 86. Fresno County Rail Network.
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has established nine hazardous materials classifications: explosive, compressed gases, flammable/combustible liquids, flammable solids, oxidizers, poisons, corrosive, radioactive, and miscellaneous, shown in the table below.
Table 160. DOT Hazardous Materials Classifications
Class Number Description
Class 1 Explosives
Class 2 Gases
Class 3 Flammable Liquids (and combustible liquids)
Class 4
Flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous
combustion; substance which, on contact with water, emit flammable gases
Class 5 Oxidizing substances and Organic substances
Class 6 Toxic (poisonous) substances
Class 7 Radioactive materials
Class 8 Corrosive substances
Class 9 Miscellaneous dangerous goods/hazards materials and articles
Source: USDOT
Transporters of such materials must adhere to routing requirements that are enforced by the California Highway Patrol. Transportation must take the most direct route, utilizing State or interstate highways whenever possible, and only roadways with sufficient width and load bearing capacity. All nine classes of hazardous materials, including hazardous waste, may be transported on Interstate 5. Materials that are poisonous by inhalation, explosives or high level radioactive may be transported on certain State Routes, including SR 33, 41, 63, 99, 180, and 198, but are subject to restrictions.
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 85. Fresno County Transportation System
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Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 86. Fresno County Rail Network
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Of the County’s transportation corridors, Interstate 5, Highway 99, and State Route 41 are the most significant because they provide direct links between the County transportation system, the surrounding regions, and beyond.
According to the Fresno County General Plan Background Report, truck transportation, followed by rail, air, and pipeline, provides the majority of goods movement in Fresno County, including the transportation of hazardous materials. Fresno County has considerable long-distance trucking activity due to the presence of Interstate 5, State Route 198, and Highway 99. According to the background report, Highway 99 carries the greatest volume of truck traffic in Fresno County.
There are two mainline rail lines that run north-south through Fresno County. The first, owned by the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Company, connects the County to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area to the north and Bakersfield to the south. The second, owned by Union Pacific Railways, parallels the Highway 99 corridor and connects the County to Sacramento and the Bay Area to the north and Bakersfield to the south. Both lines service the City of Fresno. Other lines provide rail service primarily to communities within the County and to adjacent counties. According to the HMPC, approximately 40 trains travel through the City of Fresno each day, and sometimes the trains carry hazardous materials very close to schools and residential areas.
PAST OCCURRENCES
Hazardous materials incidents in Fresno County are frequent events. Statistics from the National Response Center, which serves as the sole national point of contact for reporting all oil, chemical, radiological, biological, and etiological discharges into the environment anywhere in the United States and its territories, indicate that between 2009 and the end of 2022, 553 incidents were reported in Fresno County. Of these, 64 included fatalities, 92 included injuries, 62 included hospitalizations. The incidents required 2,265 people to be evacuated, and it caused nearly $900,000 in property damage.
Figure 87. Reports of Hazardous Materials Incidents in Fresno County, 2017-2022 shows the breakdown of the types of incidents that occurred in Fresno County in this time period. Of the incidents, 46 percent were railroad non-release, 22 percent fixed, 13 percent storage tank, 11 percent pipeline, 5 percent railroad, 3 percent railroad.
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Source: National Response Center, www.nrc.uscg.mil/
Table 161. Reports of Hazardous Materials Incidents in Fresno County, 2017-2022 Incident Type Number of Incidents
Air Craft 1
Unknown 1
Railroad 5
Pipeline 11
Mobile 15
Storage Tank 15
Fixed 68
Railroad Non-Release 89
Source: National Response Center, www.nrc.uscg.mil/
Trend data between 2009 and 2016 shows a high of 65 incidents reported to the NRC per year (2009, 2010), and a low of 23 incidents per year (2014). The data shows a gradual decline in number of incidents per year until 2015, and since then has remain relatively stable. The number of incidents per Figure 87. Reports of Hazardous Materials Incidents in Fresno County, 2017-2022 46%
11%
5%
22%
3%
13%
TYPES OF HAZARDOUS INCIDENT REPORTS IN FRESNO COUNTY
(2017-2022)
Railroad Non-Release Pipeline Railroad Fixed Mobile Storage Tank
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year since 2009 is shown in Figure 88. NRC Reported Hazardous Materials Incidents in Fresno County, 2009-2022, with 338 reported.
Source : National Response Center, www.nrc.uscg.mil/
Table 162. NRC-Reported Hazardous Materials Incidents by Jurisdiction 2009-2022 shows total number of incidents reported to the NRC for Fresno County by jurisdiction.
Table 162. NRC-Reported Hazardous Materials Incidents by Jurisdiction 2009-2022 Cities Incidents
Auberry 12
Avenale 1
Balch Camp 2
Big Creek 7
Bowles 2
Calwa 2
Canejo 1
Cantua Creek 2
Caruthers 1
Clovis* 12
Coalinga* 16
Conejo 3
Corcoran 1
65 65
48 27
31 23
41 37 34
41 34
42 28
37 0
10 20
30 40
50 60
70 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 NRC Reported Hazardous Materials Incidents in Fresno
County, 2009-2022
Figure 88. NRC Reported Hazardous Materials Incidents in Fresno County, 2009-2022
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Cities Incidents
Del Rey 3
Firebaugh* 6
Five Points 1
Fowler* 12
Fresno* 338
Hammond 2
Helm 5
Huron* 3
Kerman* 5
Kingsburg* 10
Lake Shore 1
Laton 4
Lemoore 2
Mendota* 1
NAS Lemoore 1
North Fork 1
Not Identified 7
Old Fig Garden 16
Pickley 1
Pinedale 1
Pitdria 1
Reedley* 8
Riverdale 1
San Joaquin 4
Sanger* 28
Selma* 10
Shaver Lake 7
Shirley 1
Sigarden 1
Squaw Valley 2
Sunmaid 1
Tranquility 2
Traver 1
Trigo 1
Note: Municipalities are noted with an *
Source: National Response Center, www.nrc.uscg.mil/
The County’s emergency response team receives numerous calls each year related to hazardous materials releases. Since 2004, the team has received over 1,000 reports. The majority of incidents in Fresno County were fuel spills and characterized as relatively minor. As such, it is just a response/cleanup issue that generally does not pose a significant impact to the community. However,
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other incidents can and have occurred in the County. More detailed information about hazard materials incidents in each jurisdiction is described in the annexes.
ASSET INVENTORY AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
The probability and potential losses of human-caused technological hazards are difficult to quantify due to the “human” element. These hazards can occur at any time and virtually any place with little or no warning. However, they can often be inventoried because they typically occur in conjunction with a particular facility/business that produces, transports, stores, or uses substances that present a specific hazard to the local community or environment, or the hazard is present due to the shipment of potentially harmful substances from outside the region across various transportation arteries that bisect Fresno County communities.
The facilities and transportation corridors identified in the previous figures are those that the HMPC has identified as potential sites for hazardous materials releases that may adversely affect the Fresno County planning area.
ASSET INVENTORY
Section 4.3 Vulnerability Assessment and the jurisdictional annexes identify the total assets at risk in the Fresno County planning area to both natural and human-caused hazards. Also included in those sections are inventories of critical facilities. These critical facilities, as previously defined, are considered vital to the daily continuity of life, unobstructed flow of commerce, and the continued health and welfare of the planning area as a whole.
VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
As previously stated, it is often quite difficult to quantify the potential losses from human-caused hazards. While the facilities themselves have a tangible dollar value, loss from a human-caused hazard often inflicts an even greater toll on a community, both economically and emotionally. The impact to identified assets will vary from event to event and depend on the type, location, and nature of a specific technological hazard event.
Given the difficulty in quantifying the losses associated with technological hazards, this section focuses on analyzing key assets and populations relative to the hazardous materials sites identified previously.
FIXED FACILITY INCIDENTS
As discussed above, there are over 157 fixed facilities (CalARP sites) identified in the Fresno County planning area with the potential to cause a hazardous materials release of sufficient type and magnitude to adversely impact surrounding areas. These sites are regulated, and most have emergency action plans in place. The impact to surrounding areas would depend on the nature and quantity of any release as well as the time of the event and prevailing weather conditions.
Critical Facilities at Risk
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Table 163. Critical Facilities Within a ½ Mile Buffer from Hazmat Facilities is derived from a GIS analysis on the CalARP data and focuses on the number and types of critical facilities within each jurisdiction that are located within a half-mile of a hazardous materials facility. The analysis indicates the City of Fresno having the highest number of critical facilities within a half-mile mile of CalARP designated facilities.
Table 163. Critical Facilities Within a ½ Mile Buffer from Hazmat Facilities Jurisdiction Facility Type Counts
Clovis
Fire Stations 1
Child Care Facilities 1
Total 2
Firebaugh
Fire Station 1
Police Stations 1
Schools 2
EOCs 2
Medical Care Facilities 1
Child Care Facilities 3
Total 10
Fresno
Bus Facilities 1
Communication Facilities 2
Electric Power Facilities 1
Fire Stations 5
Medical Care Facilities 3
Police Stations 1
Railway Facilities 3
Schools 7
Nursing Homes 3
Child Care Facilities 18
Total 46
Huron
Schools 1
Child Care Facilities 1
Total 2
Kingsburg
Electric Power Facilities 1
Fire Stations 1
Oil Crude Pipeline Facilities 1
Police Stations 1
Railway Facilities 1
Schools 1
Child Care Facilities 6
Total 14
Mendota
Airport Facilities 1
Fire Stations 1
Schools 6
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Jurisdiction Facility Type Counts
Child Care Facilities 2
Total 10
Parlier
Police Stations 1
Schools 1
Child Care Facilities 3
Total 5
Reedley
Airport Facilities 1
Schools 4
Nursing Homes 1
Child Care Facilities 10
Total 16
Sanger
Electric Power Facilities 1
Fire Stations 1
Schools 4
Nursing Homes 1
Child Care Facilities 6
Total 13
Selma
Schools 1
Medical Care Facilities 1
Nursing Homes 1
Child Care Facilities 1
Total 4
Unincorporated
Communication Facilities 1
Electric Power Facilities 8
Fire Stations 3
Railway Facilities 2
Schools 6
Nursing Homes 1
Child Care Facilities 4
Total 25
Grand Total 147
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5. Mitigation Strategy
Name
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Requirement §201.6(c)(3): [The plan shall include] a mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools.
This section describes the mitigation strategy process and mitigation action plan for the Fresno County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The results of the planning process, the risk assessment, the goal setting, the identification of mitigation actions, and the hard work of the HMPC led to the action plan provided in this chapter. Taking all the above into consideration, the HMPC developed the following overall mitigation strategy:
• Communicate the hazard information collected and analyzed through this planning process as well as HMPC success stories so that the community better understands what can happen where and what they themselves can do to be better prepared. • Implement the action plan recommendations of this plan. • Use existing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures already in existence. Given the flood hazard in the planning area, an emphasis should be placed on continued compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program and participation by all communities in the Community Rating System.
• Monitor multi-objective management opportunities so that funding opportunities may be shared and packaged, and broader constituent support may be garnered.
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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(i): [The hazard mitigation strategy shall include a] description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards.
Up to this point in the planning process, the HMPC has organized resources, assessed hazards and risks, and documented mitigation capabilities. The resulting goals, objectives, and mitigation actions were developed based on these tasks.
Goals were defined for the purpose of this mitigation plan as broad-based public policy statements that:
• Represent basic desires of the community;
• Encompass all aspects of community, public and private; • Are nonspecific, in that they refer to the quality (not the quantity) of the outcome; • Are future-oriented, in that they are achievable in the future; and • Are time-independent, in that they are not scheduled events.
Goals are stated without regard to implementation. Implementation cost, schedule, and means are not considered. Goals are defined before considering how to accomplish them so that they are not dependent on the means of achievement. Goal statements form the basis for objectives and actions that will be used as means to achieve the goals. Objectives define strategies to attain the goals and are more specific and measurable.
Based on a review of the risk assessment and a conversation about changes in the last five years, the HMPC identified the following goals and objectives, which provide the direction for reducing future hazard-related losses within the Fresno County planning area. These are the same goals and objectives as were listed in the previous plan, with a small change to reflect FEMA’s transition from the PDM to BRIC program.
GOAL 1: PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE’S LIVES FROM HAZARDS Objective 1.1: Provide timely notification and direction to the public of imminent and potential hazards
Objective 1.2: Protect public health and safety by preparing for, responding to, and recovering from the effects of natural or technological disasters
Objective 1.3: Improve community transportation corridors to allow for better evacuation routes for the public and better access for emergency responders
GOAL 2: IMPROVE ALL COMMUNITIES’ RESILIENCE AND CAPABILITIES TO MITIGATE
HAZARDS AND REDUCE EXPOSURE TO HAZARD-RELATED LOSSES
Objective 2.1: Reduce wildfires/protect life, property, and natural resources from damaging wildfires
Objective 2.2: Reduce flood and storm-related losses
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Objective 2.3: Reduce hazards that adversely impact the agricultural industry
Objective 2.4: Minimize the impact to the communities due to recurring drought conditions that impact both ground water supply and the agricultural industry
Objective 2.5: Minimize the risk/loss to endangered species, native plants, land (erosion), and native wildlife
GOAL 3: IMPROVE COMMUNITY AND AGENCY AWARENESS ABOUT HAZARDS AND
ASSOCIATED VULNERABILITIES THAT THREATEN FRESNO COUNTY PLANNING AREA
COMMUNITIES
Objective 3.1: Increase public awareness about the nature and extent of hazards they are exposed to, where they occur, what is vulnerable, and recommended mitigation and preparedness for identified hazards
GOAL 4: PROVIDE PROTECTION FOR CRITICAL FACILITIES, UTILITIES, AND SERVICES FROM
HAZARD IMPACTS
GOAL 5: MAINTAIN COORDINATION OF DISASTER PLANNING
Objective 5.1: Coordinate with changing U.S. Department of Homeland Security/FEMA needs
Objective 5.2: Coordinate with other community plans
Objective 5.3: Maximize the use of shared resources between jurisdictions and special districts for mitigation/communication
Objective 5.4: Standardize systems among agencies to provide for better interoperability
GOAL 6: MAINTAIN/PROVIDE FOR FEMA ELIGIBILITY AND WORK TO POSITION JURISDICTIONS
FOR GRANT FUNDING
Objective 6.1: Provide County departments and other jurisdictions with information regarding mitigation opportunities
Objective 6.2: As part of plan implementation, review actions in this plan on an annual basis to be considered for annual FEMA Building Infrastructure and Resilient Communities (BRIC) grant allocations or after a presidential disaster declaration in California for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding as well as for other local, state, and federal funding opportunities.
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PROGRESS TOWARDS 2018 PLAN ACTIONS
The mitigation strategy update included a thorough review and status update of the existing actions.
The table below provides a summary of the number of actions that each jurisdiction identified in the previous plan.
Table 164: Summary of Number of Actions in Previous Plan Jurisdiction Actions in Previous Plan
Multi-Jurisdictional 1
Fresno County 13
Clovis 12
Coalinga 2
Firebaugh 2
Fowler 2
Fresno (City) 6
Kerman 3
Kingsburg 4
Mendota 2
Reedley 1
San Joaquin 1
Sanger 7
Selma 5
Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District 7
Lower San Joaquin Levee District 2
Sierra Resource Conservation District 18
Westlands Water District 1
Kings River Conservation District 1
Total 90
Of the 90 actions in the previous plan, NUMBER were deleted or combined with other actions, and NUMBER were continued in the plan update. The table below provides a summary of the status of these 90 actions.
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Table 165 – Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Multi-Jurisdictional
1 Develop and Conduct a Multi-Hazard Seasonal Public Awareness Program Continuing This is an ongoing action County 1 Identify Critical Facilities and Inspect for Vulnerability to Major Hazards County 2 Upgrade or Replace Critical County Facilities Found to be Vulnerable to Major Hazards
County 3 Enhance the County Emergency Operations Center County 4 Control Bubonic Plague through Coyote and California Ground Squirrel Population Management
County 5
Minimize Flood Events by Exercising Reclamation’s Emergency Action Plan and Provide an Early Warning System to Downstream Emergency Response Agencies
County 6 Update Dam Failure Evacuation Plan
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
County 7 Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation County 8 Conduct Feasibility Study for Panoche -Silver Creek Flood Detention Facility (see Mendota)
County 9 Investigate and Construct Water Shortage-Options for the Upper San Joaquin River Basin
County 10 Analyze System, Condition, and Management of Flood Water Conveyance Facilities
County 11 Prepare Stormwater Drainage Master Plan
County 12 Control West Nile Virus through Beaver Population Management County 13 Wildfire Defensible Fuel Modification Zones in Areas of Tree Mortality
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Clovis 1 Construct a Water Intertie between the Cities of Clovis and Fresno Continuing The Southern intertie is complete. City of Fresno is holding up the northern intertie.
Clovis 2 Modernize Information Technology Backup Infrastructure Continuing No Updates Clovis 3 Improve the City’s Capabilities for Sheltering Animals in a Disaster Continuing No Updates Clovis 4 Purchase Hazard Mitigation Public Notification Boards Continuing No Updates Clovis 5 Improve Emergency Evacuation and Emergency Vehicle Routes Continuing No Updates Clovis 6 Conduct a Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of City-Owned Critical Facilities
Continuing On hold – focusing on water, sewer and well
facilities.
Clovis 7 Construct Channel Improvements for Dog Creek Stream, South of Gettysburg-Ashlan
Continuing No Updates
5. Mitigation Strategy
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May 2024 9
Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Clovis 8 Improve Flow Design Parameters for Big Dry Creek and the Enterprise Canal
Continuing
In progress. FID has been removing channel
obstructions in the Big Dry Creek. Flow rate and
channel capacity has been improved.
Clovis 9 Improve City’s Floodplain Management Program and Apply to Community Rating System
Continuing No Updates
Clovis 10 Enforce Master Drainage Plan Requirements Continuing No Updates Clovis 11 Install a System of Surface Water Hazard Detection Continuing No Updates Clovis 12 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing The Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) for the
NKGSA has been approved by DWR. The city is
working toward sustainability by the year 2040.
Coalinga 1 Plan for Alternative Water Sources for the Water System Continuing No Updates Coalinga 2 Plan for Water System Sustainability in the Event of Long-Term Power Failure
Continuing No Updates
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Firebaugh 1 Assess Levee System for Necessary Improvements Continuing Substantive work completed, but continuing to assess Firebaugh 2 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation
Continuing Substantive work completed, but continuing to work on sustainability
Fowler 1 Install Back-up Power System for City Critical Facilities Continuing In progress for wells, generators, power wall Fowler 2 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing The City of Fowler is part of the SKGSA plan and a member of the Groundwater Sustainability Plan.
Fresno 1 Establish Post-Disaster Action Plan for City Continuity of Operations Plan Continuing No Updates Fresno 2 Improve the City’s Capabilities for Sheltering Animals in a Disaster Continuing Working with local NGO to provided concurrent shelter for small animals and people
Fresno 3 Train and Certify City Inspectors to Conduct Post-Disaster Damage Assessment Continuing The SAP program should be something that multiple agencies should accomplish together
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Fresno 4 Implement a Flood Awareness Program for the Public Continuing Work would include the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
Fresno 5 Southwest Fresno - Recycled Water Distribution System Construction Continuing Ongoing program Fresno 6 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing Ongoing program Kerman 1 Construct California Avenue Parallel Storm Drain Line Continuing Unknown; Need to review Storm Water
Management Plan and Capital projects associated
with this item.
Kerman 2 Install Warning Lights for the Intersection of State Route 145 and Highway 180 Deleted Fully signalized intersection
Kerman 3 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing On-going Kingsburg 1 Enhance Traffic Diversion System Continuing Phase 1 is complete and working with COG and Measure C funding on Phase 2
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Kingsburg 2 Create Emergency Evacuation Plan for Large Scale Incident Continuing Still in progress.
Kingsburg 3 Identify High Risk and High Value Target Areas Continuing As part of the city’s 2024 EOP update all current high risk target hazards have been identified.
Kingsburg 4 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing The city is working with the appropriate water basin to become compliant with SGWA.
Mendota 1 Build a Stormwater Detention/Desilting Basin
Mendota 2 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation
Reedley 1 Develop Stormwater Detention Basin Deleted The city has opted out due to partnership and funding reasons
San Joaquin 1 Construct Water Storage Tank and Booster Pump Station including emergency generators Continuing
Water storage tank and booster pump station
work completed; adjusting action in new plan to
only reflect emergency generators
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Sanger 1 Establish Post-Disaster Action Plan for City Continuity of Operations Plan Continuing Will seek consultant assistance summer 2025.
Sanger 2 Add Potable Water Storage Capacity (500,000 Gallon above Ground Tank) to the City of Sanger’s Water System Deleted Completed in 2020 – increased capacity to 750,000
Sanger 3 Provide Backup Power to City Pumps/Wells Continuing No significant progress has been made at this
time. New well sites that are in planning process
have redundant systems in place
Sanger 4 Replace Old Drainage System to Prevent Flooding Continuing Continues to be addressed with road projects on a case-by-case basis
Sanger 5 Provide Fire Department Office Security Continuing Renovation of Fire Station completion date scheduled for early winter 2025
Sanger 6 Provide Compound Security for Police and Fire Departments Deleted Completed in 2022 Sanger 7 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing SGMA Plan adopted in 2020, requires implementation
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
Selma 1 Institute a Disaster Preparedness Education Program for the Public Continuing Ongoing Selma 2 Install Back-up Power for Storm Drain Pumps Continuing Ongoing, Progress dependent on funding availability
Selma 3 Sheridan Street Pump Station Continuing Ongoing, Progress dependent on funding availability
Selma 4 Construct New Police and Fire Department Headquarters Continuing Police Department Headquarters completed.
Fire Department Headquarters ongoing
Selma 5 Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Compliance including Groundwater Sustainability Planning and Implementation Continuing Ongoing, Progress dependent on funding availability
FMCD 1 Construct the Gould Canal to Fancher Creek Detention Basin Pipeline Deleted Project completed in 2020 FMCD 2 Construct the Fancher Creek Detention Basin Pump Station and Telemetry System Deleted Project completed in 2023
5. Mitigation Strategy
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May 2024 15
Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
FMCD 3 Provide for Local Stormwater Drainage System Infrastructure Continuing Perpetually ongoing task, successful FMCD 4 Retain 200-Year Flood Control Protection Continuing Perpetually ongoing task, successful FMCD 5 Retrofit Areas with Surface Outlets to Protect Existing Structures Continuing Not completed FMCD 6 Install Back-up Generators for Pump Only Facilities Continuing Not completed FMCD 7 Big Dry Creek Diversion Additional Drop Structure Continuing Not completed LSJLD 1 Institute a Dredging Management Program for the Purpose of Flood Damage Reduction Continuing Still in planning stage
LSJLD 2 Institute an Invasive Vegetation Management Program for the Purpose of Flood Damage Reduction Continuing Still in planning stage
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
SRCD 1 Strengthen Non-Native Noxious Weed Control Efforts Continuing SRCD has partnered with the San Joaquin River
Conservancy and Parkway Trust for the removal
of invasive species along the San Joaquin River.
Sierra RCD has also implemented non-native
noxious weed control for watershed restoration
on the upper San Joaquin river watershed.
SRCD 2 Strengthen Dam Failure/Flood Planning, Coordination, and Training Deleted No updates.
SRCD 3 Improve Alternate Emergency Access Roads Continuing Up to a dozen alternate emergency access roads
have been improved in the Wildland Urban
Interface. Plans are being developed within
Firewise Communities to improve additional
emergency access roads.
SRCD 4 Conduct Community Fuel Break Construction and Maintenance on a Landscape Scale Continuing
Highway 168 FireSafe Council, Oak to Timberline
FireSafe Council, and Fresno County have
partnered with CalFire to develop community fire
breaks.
SRCD 5 Create a Fuel Break Along Highway 168 Continuing No updates.
SRCD 6 Implement a Neighborhood Chipper Program Continuing Sierra RCD successfully launched a community
chipper program and have done several dozen
community chipper workdays in the effort to
reduce post fire fuels and improve defensible
space within communities along highway 168 and
highway 180
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
SRCD 7 Conduct Prescribed Fires Continuing
Sierra RCD has successfully launched a prescribed
fire program for small acre and low severity fire.
To date, the Sierra RCD has completed two burn
units.
SRCD 8 Establish a System of Fire Pumper/Tanker Fill Stations and Water Storage Continuing Due to the Creek Fire, the Creek Fire Recovery
Collaborative has assisted approximately 10
landowners with repairing their water system
and/or replacing water storage containers.
Firewise Communities are being educated on the
importance of establishing fire suppression
systems in their communities.
SRCD 9 Implement a Public Fire Prevention, Survival, and Mitigation Education Program Continuing
Sierra RCD’s Forestry and Watershed Program has
provided over the past 5 years 496 Fire Risk
Evaluations to private landowners living in the
Wildland Urban Interface. These Evaluations focus
on Home Hardening, Defensible Space, and Forest
Stewardship. Completed approximately 9000
hours of outreach to local landowners through
community events.
SRCD 10 Update Highway 168 FireSafe Council's Community Wildfire Protection Plan through CA FireSafe Council Funding Deleted
The Highway 168 FireSafe Council’s CWPP was
completed in 2018. The Highway 168 FireSafe
Council plan needs to be updated to reflect
changes post the 2020 Creek Fire.
SRCD 11 Develop Wildfire Protection Plan with Oak to Timberline FireSafe Council through CA FireSafe Council Funding Deleted
The Highway 180 Oak to Timberline FireSafe
Council’s CWPP was completed in 2018. The Oak
to Timberline FireSafe Council is in the process of
updating their plan as of 2024.
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
SRCD 12 Implement a biomass utilization and dispositioning program for excessive forest and rangeland vegetation Continuing
Sierra RCD has completed a feasibility study for a
biomass to biofuel utilization campus for Fresno
County.
SRCD 13 Partner with U.S. Forest Service to reduce fire risk in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Continuing
Sierra RCD received a USFS Community Wildfire
Defense Grant in 2023 to reduce the wildfire risk
for 9 Firewise Communities in Fresno County. In
2024, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy funded
Sierra RCD to continue to develop WUI projects
on the Sierra National Forest
SRCD 14 Removal of Illegal marijuana grows to reduce fire risk in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Deleted No Updates
SRCD 15 Burns Flat Fuel Break Deleted No Updates
SRCD 16 Whispering Springs Fuel Break Deleted
Sierra RCD is working to establish a Firewise
Community for this community. We completed a
9-acre ingress egress project for seven properties
benefitting 21 landowners.
SRCD 17 The Beal Fire Road Fuel Break Continuing Working to establish a FireWise community.
CalFire is working on this fuel break project.
SRCD 18 Peterson Road Fuel Break Continuing Working to establish a FireWise community.
County is doing a fuel break.
5. Mitigation Strategy
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May 2024 19
Status of 2018 Plan Actions
Action ID Mitigation Project / Activity Description
Action Status
(Continuing or
Deleted)
Notes and Status Updates
WWD 1 Institute a Groundwater Replenishment and Drought Resiliency Project KRCD 1 Analysis of Levee Integrity and Improvement Project Continuing Analysis of the system occurs twice a year.
5. Mitigation Strategy
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May 2024 20
NFIP PARTICIPATION AND COMPLIANCE
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses in flood prone areas across the country. NFIP participating communities agree to adopt, implement, and enforce local flood plain regulations to protect lives and reduce the risk from future flooding. Participation in the NFIP is voluntary; the following communities in Fresno County currently do not participate in the NFIP due to funding, logistical, administrative, or other constraints:
▪ Kerman (the City of Kerman is not subject to floodwaters from a 100-year storm and thus is not required to participate in the NFIP
▪ Selma
The following plan participants are not municipal governments and do not have residents, and thus are ineligible to participate in the NFIP:
▪ Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
▪ Kings River Conservation District
▪ Lower San Joaquin Levee District
▪ Sierra Resource Conservation District
▪ Westlands Water District
The table below addresses participating jurisdictions continued compliance with NFIP requirements:
Table 166- NFIP Participation and Compliance
Jurisdiction Has your
community
adopted a
floodplain
management
ordinance
that meets
NFIP
Minimum
criteria?
Has your
community
adopted the
latest
effective
Flood
Insurance
Rate Map
(FIRM)?
Do you
regulate/
permit
development
in the Special
Flood Hazard
Area
(SFHA)?
Which
position or
agency is in
charge of
NFIP
compliance
for your
community?
How do you
implement the
substantial
improvement /
substantial
damage
provisions of
your
floodplain
management
ordinance?
Fresno County Yes Yes Yes County Building
Official
Via permit process
Clovis Yes Yes Yes City Building
Official
Via permit process
Coalinga Yes Yes Yes City Manager Via permit process
Firebaugh Yes Yes Yes City Manager Via permit process
Fowler Yes Yes Yes Community
Development
Director
Via permit process
Fresno Yes Yes Yes City Building
Official
Via permit process
Kingsburg No Yes Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified Mendota Yes Yes Yes City Manager Via permit process
5. Mitigation Strategy
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Jurisdiction Has your
community
adopted a
floodplain
management
ordinance
that meets
NFIP
Minimum
criteria?
Has your
community
adopted the
latest
effective
Flood
Insurance
Rate Map
(FIRM)?
Do you
regulate/
permit
development
in the Special
Flood Hazard
Area
(SFHA)?
Which
position or
agency is in
charge of
NFIP
compliance
for your
community?
How do you
implement the
substantial
improvement /
substantial
damage
provisions of
your
floodplain
management
ordinance?
Reedley Yes Yes Yes City Building
Official
Via permit process
San Joaquin No Yes Not Specified Not Specified Not Specified Sanger Yes Yes Yes City Manager Via permit process
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2024 MITIGATION ACTIONS
Only those actions where the County is the lead jurisdiction, or are multi-jurisdictional, are detailed further in this section. Actions specific to other participating jurisdictions, or where other jurisdictions are taking the lead, are detailed in the jurisdictional annexes.
PRIORITIZATION OF MITIGATION ACTIONS
As noted above, the mitigation actions included in the 2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan does not represent a commitment by participating communities to take on every listed action. Rather, this is a list of potential actions that they may wish to pursue, depending in the availability of funding. When determining how to use available hazard mitigation funding, or identifying (during annual plan reviews) which actions to pursue in the coming year, the HMPC will consider the following factors when identifying priority actions:
▪ The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of proposed projects
o BCR is a measure of the return on investment the community can expect to receive, and one of the most important factors in determining whether or not to implement an action
o Communities may opt to conduct a full benefit-cost analysis, or may consider the relative costs and benefits qualitatively, depending on the availability of detailed project cost information.
▪ Degree to which the project impacts or protects life safety ▪ Degree to which the project reduces the need for response actions ▪ Size of the population who would benefit from the action ▪ Benefit to the county’s economy overall
▪ Useful life of project, taking into consideration the expected impacts of climate change
▪ Benefits to underserved communities
▪ Other non-monetary benefits not specified here
MULTI-JURISDICTION MITIGATION ACTIONS
DEVELOP AND CONDUCT A MULTI-HAZARD SEASONAL PUBLIC AWARENESS
PROGRAM
Hazards Addressed: Agricultural Hazards, Avalanche, Dam Failure, Drought, Earthquake Flood/Levee Failure, Epidemic/Pandemic, Erosion, Expansive Soils, Extreme Temperatures, Fog, Heavy Rain/Thunderstorm/Hail/Lightning/wind, Landslide, Land Subsidence, Tornado, Volcano, West Nile Virus, Wildfire, Winter Storm,
Issue/Background: The jurisdictions within Fresno County are at risk to the natural hazards identified in this plan. Each hazard poses a different degree of risk and associated vulnerability, depending on the location within the County, but drought, flooding, wildfire and earthquake represent some of the most significant hazards. Some hazards such as flooding, have a high likelihood of occurrence, a specific
5. Mitigation Strategy
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May 2024 23
location that would likely be impacted, and proven approaches that could reduce the impact. For other hazards, where either the likelihood of occurrence is very low, the area of likely impact is not specifically known, or there is very little that can be done to reduce the impacts. The public needs to be made aware of the hazards so they can take action to reduce potential impacts to their own personal property and safety. The County and HMPC, including participating jurisdictions and special districts involved in the plan, have determined that public awareness is a key component of the overall mitigation strategy for this plan. People should have information describing historical events and losses, the likelihood of future occurrences, the range of possible impacts, appropriate actions to save lives and minimize property damage, and where additional information can be found. Any information provided through this effort should be accurate, specific, timely, and consistent with current and accepted local emergency management procedures as promoted by the California State Office of Emergency Services and the American Red Cross. This public outreach effort will be conducted annually and will include:
• Using a variety of information outlets, including local news media, social media, and web- based information;
• Creating and printing (where applicable) brochures, leaflets, water bill inserts, websites, and public service announcements;
• Displaying current brochures and flyers in County and City office buildings, libraries, and other public places;
• Developing public-private partnerships and incentives to support public education activities; • Provide information on priority hazards including Agricultural Hazards, Dam Failure, Drought, Earthquake, Flood/Levee Failure, Human Health, Severe Weather, Soil Hazards (subsidence), Wildfire;
• Provide information on water conservation, particularly during times of drought; • Participation in statewide events such as The 2018 Great California ShakeOut earthquake awareness drill
Other Alternatives: Continue public information activities currently in place
Responsible Office: Fresno County Office of Emergency Services, Department of Public Works and Planning, and Chamber of Commerce; American Red Cross. All municipalities and special districts will be partners including:
• City of Clovis
• City of Coalinga
• City of Firebaugh
• City of Fowler
• City of Fresno
• City of Kerman
• City of Kingsburg
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May 2024 24
• City of Mendota
• City of Reedley
• City of San Joaquin
• City of Sanger
• City of Selma
• Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District
• Lower San Joaquin Levee District
• Sierra Resource Conservation District (including Highway 168 Fire Safe Council and Oak to Timberline Fire Safe Council)
• Kings River Conservation District
• Westlands Water District
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $5,000-20,000 annually, depending on printing and mailing costs, level of volunteer participation, and scope and frequency of events
Potential Funding: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Fresno County funds, other available grants
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Heightened awareness that can lead to enhanced life safety, reduction in property losses; relatively low cost
Schedule: Part of seasonal multi-hazard public awareness campaign
Status: 2009 project, implementation ongoing at County level but revised in 2018 to make it more of a multi-jurisdictional effort.
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FRESNO COUNTY MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION ACTIONS
IDENTIFY CRITICAL FACILITIES AND INSPECT FOR VULNERABILITY TO MAJOR
HAZARDS
Hazard(s) Addressed: Multi-Hazard: dam failure, earthquake, flood, severe weather, wildfire, volcano, hazardous materials
Issue/Background: The County has various facilities that may need to function in times of crisis and/or emergency.
• The facilities should be identified.
• The identified facilities should be reviewed and inspected to determine if the infrastructure can withstand and operate under critical conditions.
• Required upgrades to each of the facilities should be identified and prioritized.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: Internal Services Department in coordination with Fresno County Department of Public Works and County OES
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: Up to $3 million, depending on the number of facilities identified for review
Potential Funding: Annual budgets
Benefits (Avoided Losses): The County will be able to develop a plan to methodically upgrade the infrastructure and systems necessary to operate in times of emergency.
Schedule: 1-5 years
Status: 2009 project, implementation in progress
UPGRADE OR REPLACE CRITICAL COUNTY FACILITIES FOUND TO BE VULNERABLE
TO MAJOR HAZARDS
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Hazard(s) Addressed: Multi-Hazard: dam failure, earthquake, flood, severe weather, wildfire, volcano, hazardous materials
Issue/Background: The County has various facilities that may need to function in times of crisis and/or emergency. The County should upgrade or replace those facilities found to be vulnerable in accordance with a developed prioritized schedule.
Other Alternatives: Contact other jurisdictions to determine if capacity exists to accommodate County critical functions within facilities they control.
Responsible Office: Fresno County Department of Public Works and Planning Capital Projects Division
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: Unknown at this time, will depend on the number of facilities identified, total cost could approach $100 million or more
Potential Funding: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Programs, state funds, Fresno County budgets
Benefits (Avoided Losses): The County will have reliable infrastructure and systems necessary to operate in times of emergency
Schedule: 2-10 years
Status: 2009 project, implementation in progress
ENHANCE THE COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER
Hazard(s) Addressed: Multi-Hazard: dam failure, earthquake, flood, human health hazards, severe weather, wildfire, volcano, hazardous materials
Issue/Background: The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Fresno County is located in multiple rooms on multiple floors within the Public Health Department. Because the EOC sections are isolated, communications are limited, and section staff are unable to interact well. A centralized modern day EOC in a single location would greatly enhance communications and improve the effectiveness of those who work in it.
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Other Alternatives: Enhance the EOCs of other jurisdictions and activate them in the event of an emergency
Responsible Office: Fresno County Office of Emergency Services
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $2.5 million
Potential Funding: Fresno County General Fund, grants
Benefits (Avoided Losses): A modern EOC in one location would decrease emergency response time and the public notification process, reducing potential loss of life and damage. The more time people are given to prepare for a potential emergency, the better chance they have of avoiding the effects of that event. The benefits would reduce set-up time currently needed. This would result in greater efficiencies that could leverage current technologies and result in improved communication and save time, money and lives through a faster response
Schedule: within 5-10 years
Status: 2009 project, implementation in progress; Some improvements are in place. A centralized EOC is not yet in place.
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CONTROL BUBONIC PLAGUE THROUGH COYOTE AND CALIFORNIA GROUND
SQUIRREL POPULATION MANAGEMENT
Issue/Background: Bubonic plague is endemic to parts of Fresno County. Coyotes and the California ground squirrel are free ranging wildlife that are present in all of Fresno County. Coyotes and ground squirrels cause extensive agricultural livestock, crop, and property damage. Coyotes are very mobile and can travel 20 to 25 miles in a day. Coyotes are known to carry and transmit diseases to humans, domestic animals, and livestock. Coyotes are carriers of the bubonic plague bacteria, which they receive from the bite of an infected flea. Coyotes can spread the disease to various California ground squirrel colonies. Human interaction with ground squirrels in open spaces, parks, and recreational areas can potentially result in bubonic plague infection through flea bites. Blood samples from coyotes can be tested for the presence of bubonic plague.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: Fresno County Department of Agriculture Wildlife Damage Management
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $100,000
Potential Funding: Fresno County General Fund, California Department of Public Health, unrefunded gas tax
Benefits (Avoided Losses):
• One human life saved is $3.1 million
• Avoids disease transmission to humans
• Reduces the discomfort and adverse effects of flea bites
Schedule: Annually, June through October
Status: 2009 project, continuing implementation on an as needed basis
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MINIMIZE FLOOD EVENTS BY EXERCISING RECLAMATION’S EMERGENCY ACTION
PLAN AND PROVIDE AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM TO DOWNSTREAM EMERGENCY
RESPONSE AGENCIES
Issue/Background: Friant Dam was constructed in 1942 and is located 20 miles northeast of the City of Fresno. It serves as a water conservation and flood control facility. The dam has a structural height of 319 feet with a top of crest elevation of 581.25 feet. Millerton Lake reservoir has a storage capacity of 520,500 acre-feet.
The Bureau of Reclamation has the ability to divert water to the Friant Kern Canal, Madera Canal, and the San Joaquin River. During unforeseen events, the Bureau of Reclamation may be required to release water into the San Joaquin River that may exceed the river channel capacity.
Other Alternatives: Divert flood water to the Friant Kern Canal and the Madera Canal, reduce encroachment of development in the San Joaquin River floodplain, construct a new storage facility
Responsible Office: Bureau of Reclamation, South Central California Area Office-Fresno; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento Branch
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $5,000-10,000 to exercise and update emergency action plan
Potential Funding: FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, state funding, other available grants
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Minimized risk of loss of life and property damage
Schedule: 1-3 years
Status: 2009 project, continuing ongoing implementation
UPDATE DAM FAILURE EVACUATION PLAN
Issue/Background: New statues in the California Water code will require dam operators to update inundation maps. Development of new inundation maps will need to be incorporated into the County’s dam failure evacuation plans. This will impact at least 23 dams within the County.
Other Alternatives: None
Responsible Office: County OES, PW and Sheriff’s Office
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Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium Cost Estimate: $150,000-$200,000 Potential Funding: Annual budget, grants
Benefits (Avoided Losses): This plan will provide updated information that will enable an effective method for warning and evacuating downstream residents if a dam were to fail. This will enable the lives of many residents to be saved.
Schedule: 1-3 years depending on when updated inundation maps are completed
Status: New project
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SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT ACT COMPLIANCE INCLUDING
GROUNDWATER SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION
Issue/Background: Like many groundwater basins throughout the State, all four of the groundwater subbasins that underlay Fresno County are in overdraft condition and three (Kings, Westside, and Delta-Mendota) have been prioritized by DWR as critical, meaning, underground aquifers adversely impacted by overuse. Such impacts include significant decline in water storage and water levels, degradation of water quality, and land subsidence resulting in the permanent loss of storage capacity.
Recognizing the importance of groundwater and the consequences of overuse, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was signed into law in 2014, to address the sustainable management of groundwater in California. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) provides for the establishment of local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) to manage groundwater sustainability within groundwater subbasins defined by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). Each GSA is required to develop and implement, no later than January 31, 2020, a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP) to ensure a sustainable yield of groundwater, without causing undesirable results. Failure to comply with that requirement could result in the State asserting its power to manage local groundwater resources. Fresno County is working cooperatively with multiple GSAs within the four subbasins located within Fresno County towards the preparation and implementation of required GSPs. Maintaining sustainable groundwater supplies will provide insurance against periods of long-term drought and assist in the mitigating the potential for land subsidence.
As required in §10724(a) of the Water Code, the areas within the priority basins that underlay Fresno County that are not within the management area of one of these GSAs, the County is presumed to be the GSA for that area. There are nineteen (19) GSAs that have been formed within Fresno County, of these the County is the Authority for two GSAs (Management Area ‘B’, and Management Area ‘A’). The Westside Subbasin is covered by two GSAs, as such the County and Westlands Water District work cooperatively through an MOU. Other jurisdictions in Fresno County have formed their own GSAs (City of Firebaugh and City of Mendota) for the portions of the Delta-Mendota Subbasin that underlay each jurisdictions boundary. While other jurisdictions have formed a GSA along with other local agencies as a joint powers authority, listed below. These jurisdictions have similar mitigation actions and can be found in their respective jurisdictional annexes. North Kings GSA: City of Fresno, City of Clovis and City of Kerman South Kings GSA: City of Fowler, City of Kingsburg, City of Sanger Central Kings GSA: City of Selma
Other Alternatives: None, compliance required by law, failure to meet requirements will result in State intervention and oversight.
Responsible Office: Responsibilities for compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act have been assumed through the formation of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies within the four Fresno County groundwater subbasins recognized by the California Department of Water Resources.
Fresno County is generally party to each of the GSAs within Fresno County by agreement or memorandum of understanding.
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
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Cost Estimate: Varies by GSA for preparation of the required GSP. Further expenses are anticipated to be accrued for the planning and construction of groundwater recharge projects.
Potential Funding: Property owner assessments along with grant funding opportunities from the State.
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Preparation and implementation of the GSP by the respective GSAs will result in the management of groundwater in a manner that is sustainable and avoids undesirable results as defined by the California State Department of Water Resources.
Schedule: GSAs must complete and submit the required GSP to DWR by January 31, 2020, which is to be fully implemented and result in sustainability of the groundwater basin, with no undesirable effects, by the year 2040.
Status: New project in 2018
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CONDUCT FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR PANOCHE-SILVER CREEK FLOOD DETENTION
FACILITY
Issue/Background: Panoche-Silver Creek downstream of the California Aqueduct causes frequent flooding of Belmont Avenue, a major transportation corridor connecting west Fresno County to I-5, the future Route 180 alignment, and the City of Mendota, a downstream community. Flooding occurs during normal-intensity storm events. High-intensity events result in extended road closures in an area of the County with limited transportation corridors. A feasibility study is needed to assess feasibility and location of facilities to route flood flows to a detention reservoir.
Other Alternatives: None identified
Responsible Office: Joint, possible partners include California Department of Water Resources, Bureau of Reclamation, Fresno County, City of Mendota, Westlands Water District Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $1.2 million
Potential Funding: State or federal grant sources
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Finding potential solution to reduce traffic disruptions Schedule: 2-5 years
Status: 2009 project; Deferred. As of March 2018, Project has not started but a need for the project remains.
INVESTIGATE AND CONSTRUCT WATER STORAGE OPTIONS FOR THE UPPER SAN
JOAQUIN RIVER BASIN
Issue/Background: The Upper San Joaquin River Storage Investigation will investigate feasibility and cost to provide on- or off-stream storage in the upper San Joaquin River Basin. The objectives are conjunctive beneficial uses, including restoration of the San Joaquin River, increased management and exchange opportunities to secure and stabilize deliveries to urban and agricultural uses, flood control, recreation, reduced groundwater overdraft, and potentially hydropower.
Other Alternatives: No action
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Responsible Office: California Department of Water Resources, Bureau of Reclamation
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: Study—to be determined; resulting project—$1-1.5 billion
Potential Funding: State or federal sources
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Reduction of flood risk downstream of Friant Dam
Schedule: 5-10 years
Status: 2009 project; As of March 2018, a draft Environmental Impact Statement has been completed and funding is being sought for implementation
ANALYZE SYSTEM, CONDITION, AND MANAGEMENT OF FLOOD WATER CONVEYANCE
FACILITIES
Issue/Background: Flood water conveyance occurs over a disparate system of natural and manmade channels, levees, irrigation canals, and ad-hoc structures whose primary function may be for purposes other than flood management. A systemwide inventory and analysis is needed to develop priorities across many jurisdictions, both public and private, for rehabilitation and upgrade of critical flood management facilities, including public and private levees.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: Potentially San Joaquin Valley-wide, possible lead or joint lead entities include California Department of Water Resources; Bureau of Reclamation; irrigation, water, and conservation districts; regional partners through integrated regional water management plans; Fresno County
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $5 million (Fresno County)
Potential Funding: State and federal grant funding
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Reduced flood risk and flood losses
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Schedule: 10-20 years
Status: 2009 project; Deferred. Implementation of this project has not started but a study is still needed.
PREPARE STORMWATER DRAINAGE MASTER PLANS
Issue/Background: Some unincorporated communities in Fresno County do not have master plans for stormwater drainage, which provide for flow, collection, and diversion of stormwater from public streets to detention or recharge facilities. Lacking appropriate drainage, stormwater may flood streets and/or property, and standing water may persist, leading to health or traffic safety concerns.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: Special or community service districts or County service area zones of benefit
Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Cost Estimate: $150,000-500,000 per community
Potential Funding: Undetermined
Benefits (Avoided Losses): Reduced property damage and adverse impacts on health and traffic safety
Schedule: 3-5 years
Status: 2009 project; Continuing
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CONTROL WEST NILE VIRUS THROUGH BEAVER POPULATION MANAGEMENT Issue/Background: Between 2003 and 2016, there were over 6,000 cases of West Nile virus in California; 248 of those cases resulted in fatalities. On August 2, 2007, the governor of California declared a disaster in three California counties because of deaths related to the virus. Fresno County had 242 cases with 10 fatalities between the years of 2003 and 2016. Fresno County has averaged one virus-related death and 17 virus cases per year since 2003.
West Nile virus is transmitted by mosquitoes. One breeding area for mosquitoes is beaver ponds.
Beavers are native to Fresno County, and their dams create ponds in waterways. Beaver dams cause streams and waterways to overflow, which causes flooding of farm and private land. The resulting excess standing water provides another breeding source for mosquitoes. The Mosquito Abatement District estimates that removing the beaver ponds from waterways near residential areas will reduce mosquito populations, thus potentially reducing the number of West Nile virus infections.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: Fresno County Department of Agriculture Wildlife Damage Management Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $10,000-25,000
Potential Funding: California Department of Public Health, Fresno County general fund Benefits (Avoided Losses):
• Reduction of incidence of infection and resulting fatalities: .5 human lives saved is $1.55 million • Reduction in the number of cases, resulting in improved human health and reduced medical costs
• Reduction in discomfort and adverse effects of mosquito bites • Reduction in treatments to suppress mosquito population by the Mosquito Abatement District and related jurisdictions
• Reduction of future costs associated with mosquito control • Repeated removal of beaver dams
Schedule: Annually, February through June
Status: 2009 project, continuing implementation on an as needed basis
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WILDFIRE DEFENSIBLE FUEL MODIFICATION ZONES IN AREAS OF TREE MORTALITY Issue/Background: The foothill and mountain areas of Fresno County have been severely impacted by the drought and subsequent bark beetle outbreak since 2014. This has caused tree mortality across 216,000 acres and over 21 million trees have died. Not only have the trees died but the brush and shrubs throughout the County have died back creating an additional fuel load. All the communities in these areas are at an increased risk of a damaging wildland fire due to the mortality and fuel loading.
Much of this mortality is on open land, both private and public, that will not get removed causing an increased ground fuel loading that will persist for decades to come. The Communities, businesses and local infrastructure will need increased Defensible Fuel Modification Zones (DFZ’s) and hazard tree removal to reduce the damaging effects of a wildland fire. In addition, this project would help mitigate wind-fall hazards on property and people.
Other Alternatives: In the past CAL FIRE, United State Forest Service and local fire safe councils have been creating DFZ’s throughout the County in high fire prone areas. Due to the change in the fuels and health of the forest all communities in the affected areas are at high risk and need to implement integrated community DFZ’s. These community DFZ’s need to tie into existing DFZ’s, roads, designated escape routes and homeowner defensible space to create a network that allows for increased community protection. Ingress and egress corridors need to be created by removing both dead trees and brush for the public to evacuate safely and allow emergency response personnel safe access. These DFZ’s will need to be created using heavy equipment, masticators, hand crews and prescribed fire to remove dead trees, reduce understory brush and remove ground fuels. This network will need to be maintained over time and retreatment of the fuels will need to occur every 3 to 7 years for them to be effective. Community education related to fire safety, building construction, evacuation procedures and fuels management is a main part of this plan to be successful.
Responsible Office: CAL FIRE, County (Public Works, OES), USFS; partner agencies include Fire Safety Councils, PG&E, Cal Trans
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $10,000,000
Potential Funding: CAL FIRE grants, CAL OES funds, FEMA grants, County funds, CAL FIRE Unit funds, USDA Forest Service funds, Private funds and other funds not currently identified
Benefits (Avoided Losses): By completing these types of projects, it is estimated to reduce the impacts of fire to over 4,816 residences, numerous businesses and critical infrastructure directly affected by the tree mortality.
Schedule: September 1, 2015, until completed through 2020
Status: New project in 2018
6. Plan Implementation and Maintenance
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6. Plan
Implementation and
Maintenance
Section Name
6. Plan Implementation and Maintenance
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Requirement §201.6(c)(4): [The plan maintenance process shall include a] section describing the method and schedule of monitoring, evaluating, and updating the mitigation plan within a five-year cycle.
Implementation and maintenance of the plan is critical to the overall success of hazard mitigation planning. This chapter provides an overview of the overall strategy for plan implementation and maintenance and outlines the method and schedule for monitoring, updating, and evaluating the plan.
The chapter also discusses incorporating the plan into existing planning mechanisms and how to address continued public involvement.
ADOPTION
The purpose of formally adopting this plan is to secure buy-in from Fresno County and participating jurisdictions, raise awareness of the plan, and formalize the plan’s implementation. The adoption of this plan completes Planning Step 9 of the 10-step planning process: Adopt the Plan, in accordance with the requirements of DMA 2000. This adoption also establishes compliance with AB 2140 requiring adoption by reference or incorporation into the safety element of the general plan. The governing board for each participating jurisdiction has adopted this multi- hazard mitigation plan by passing a resolution.
A copy of the generic resolution and the executed copies are included in Appendix A: Adoption Resolutions.
IMPLEMENTATION
Once adopted, the plan faces the truest test of its worth: implementation. While this plan contains many worthwhile actions, the participating jurisdictions will need to decide which action(s) to undertake first.
Two factors will help with making that decision: the priority assigned the actions in the planning process and funding availability. Low or no-cost actions most easily demonstrate progress toward successful plan implementation.
Implementation will be accomplished by adhering to the schedules identified for each action (see Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy for the County and the actions detailed in the jurisdictional annexes) and through constant, pervasive, and energetic efforts to network and highlight the multi-objective, win-win benefits of each project to the Fresno County community and its stakeholders. These efforts include the routine actions of monitoring agendas, attending meetings, and promoting a safe, sustainable community. The three main components of implementation are:
• Monitoring: Tracking implementation of the plan over time • Evaluating: Assessing how well the plan meets its stated purpose and goals Mitigation is most successful when it is incorporated into the day-to-day functions and priorities of government and development. Implementation will be accomplished by adhering to the schedules identified for each action and through constant, pervasive, and energetic efforts to network and highlight the multi-objective, win-win benefits to each program and the Fresno County community and its stakeholders. This effort is achieved through the routine actions of monitoring agendas, attending meetings, and promoting a safe, sustainable community. Additional mitigation strategies could include consistent and ongoing enforcement of existing policies and vigilant review of programs for coordination and multi-objective opportunities.
6. Plan Implementation and Maintenance
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One example of an important implementation mechanism that is highly effective and low-cost is incorporation of the hazard mitigation plan recommendations and their underlying principles into other plans and mechanisms, such as the general plans for Fresno County and the participating jurisdictions.
The County and participating jurisdictions already implement policies and programs to reduce losses to life and property from hazards. This plan builds upon the momentum developed through previous and related planning efforts and mitigation programs and recommends implementing actions, where possible, through these other program mechanisms.
Simultaneously to these efforts, it is important to maintain a constant monitoring of funding opportunities that can be leveraged to implement some of the more costly recommended actions. This will include creating and maintaining a bank of ideas on how to meet local match or participation requirements. When funding does become available, the participating jurisdictions will be in a position to capitalize on the opportunity. Funding opportunities to be monitored include special pre- and post- disaster funds, special district budgeted funds, state and federal earmarked funds, and other grant programs, including those that can serve or support multi-objective applications.
ROLE OF HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING COMMITTEE IN
IMPLEMENTATION AND MAINTENANCE
With adoption of this plan, the participating jurisdictions will be tasked with plan implementation and maintenance. The participating jurisdictions, led by the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services, agrees to:
• Act as a forum for hazard mitigation issues;
• Disseminate hazard mitigation ideas and activities to all participants; • Pursue the implementation of high-priority, low/no-cost recommended actions; • Keep the concept of mitigation in the forefront of community decision making by identifying plan recommendations when other community goals, plans, and activities overlap, influence, or directly affect increased community vulnerability to disasters; • Maintain a vigilant monitoring of multi-objective cost-share opportunities to help the community implement the plan’s recommended actions for which no current funding exists; • Monitor and assist in implementation and update of this plan; • Report on plan progress and recommended changes to the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and the governing boards of the other participating jurisdictions; and • Inform and solicit input from the public.
The primary duty of the participating jurisdictions is to see the plan successfully carried out and to report to their community governing boards and the public on the status of plan implementation and mitigation opportunities. Other duties include reviewing and promoting mitigation proposals, considering stakeholder concerns about hazard mitigation, passing concerns on to appropriate entities, and posting relevant information on the County website (and others as appropriate).
MAINTENANCE/MONITORING
Plan maintenance implies an ongoing effort to monitor and evaluate plan implementation and to update the plan as progress, roadblocks, or changing circumstances are recognized.
6. Plan Implementation and Maintenance
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MAINTENANCE/MONITORING SCHEDULE
The Emergency Manager in the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services within the Department of Public Health is responsible for initiating plan reviews and will consult with the heads of participating departments and other participating jurisdictions. In order to monitor progress and update the mitigation strategies identified in the action plan, the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services will revisit this plan annually and after a hazard event. The annual review will be conducted by re-convening the HMPC each year.
This plan will be updated, approved and adopted within a five-year cycle as per Requirement §201.6(c)(4)(i) of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 unless disaster or other circumstances (e.g., changing regulations) require a change to this schedule. With the initial approval of this plan occurring in mid-2024, the plan will need to be updated, reviewed by Cal OES and FEMA Region IX, and re- adopted by all participating jurisdictions by mid-2029. The County will monitor planning grant opportunities from Cal OES and FEMA for funds to assist with the update. These grants should be pursued as early as 2026, as some grants have a three-year performance period to expend the funds.
In addition, there is no guarantee that the grant will be awarded when initially submitted. This allows time to resubmit the grant in 2027 if needed.
MAINTENANCE EVALUATION PROCESS
The planning team will continually observe the incorporation process, evaluation method, updating method, continued public participation, and completion of the action/projects to assure that the planning team and the plan itself are performing as anticipated. By monitoring these processes, the planning team will then be able to evaluate them at the time of the plan update, determining if any changes are needed.
Evaluation of progress can be achieved by monitoring changes in vulnerabilities identified in the plan.
Changes in vulnerability can be identified by noting:
• Decreased vulnerability as a result of implementing recommended actions, • Increased vulnerability as a result of failed or ineffective mitigation actions, and/or • Increased vulnerability as a result of new development (and/or annexation).
The HMPC will use the following process to evaluate progress and any changes in vulnerability as a result of plan implementation.
• A representative from the responsible entity identified in each mitigation measure will be responsible for tracking and reporting on an annual basis to the HMPC on project status and provide input on whether the project as implemented meets the defined objectives and is likely to be successful in reducing vulnerabilities.
• If the project does not meet identified objectives, the HMPC will determine what alternate projects may be implemented, and an assigned individual will be responsible for defining action scope, implementing the action, monitoring success of the action, and making any required modifications to the plan.
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• New projects identified will require an individual assigned to be responsible for defining the project scope, implementing the project, and monitoring success of the project. • Projects that were not ranked high priority but were identified as potential mitigation strategies will be reviewed as well during the monitoring and update of this plan to determine feasibility of future implementation.
• Changes will be made to the plan to accommodate for projects that have failed or are not considered feasible after a review for their consistency with established criteria, the time frame, priorities, and/or funding resources.
Updating of the plan will be by written changes and submissions, as the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services deems appropriate and necessary, and as approved by the Fresno County Board of Supervisors and the governing boards of the other participating jurisdictions. Updates to this plan will:
• Consider changes in vulnerability due to action implementation; • Document success stories where mitigation efforts have proven effective; • Document areas where mitigation actions were not effective; • Document any new hazards that may arise or were previously overlooked; • Document hazard events and impacts that occurred within the five-year period; • Incorporate new data or studies on hazards and risks; • Incorporate new capabilities or changes in capabilities; • Incorporate documentation of continued public involvement; • Incorporate documentation to update the planning process that may include new or additional stakeholder involvement;
• Incorporate growth and development-related changes to building inventories; • Incorporate new project recommendations or changes in project prioritization; • Include a public involvement process to receive public comment on the updated plan prior to submitting the updated plan to Cal OES/FEMA; and
• Include re-adoption by all participating entities following Cal OES/FEMA approval.
INCORPORATION INTO EXISTING PLANNING MECHANISMS
Another important implementation mechanism that is highly effective and low-cost is incorporation of the hazard mitigation plan recommendations and their underlying principles into other County and City plans and mechanisms. Where possible, plan participants will use existing plans and/or programs to implement hazard mitigation actions. As previously stated in Section 7.1 of this plan, mitigation is most successful when it is incorporated into the day-to-day functions and priorities of government and development. This point is re-emphasized here. As described in this plan’s capability assessment, the County and participating jurisdictions already implement policies and programs to reduce losses to life and property from hazards. This plan builds upon the momentum developed through previous and related planning efforts and mitigation programs and recommends implementing actions, where possible, through these other program mechanisms.
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These existing mechanisms include (but not limited to) the following:
• County and city general and master plans
• County and city emergency operations plans
• County and city ordinances
• Flood/stormwater management/master plans
• Community Wildfire Protection plans
• Drought management and response plans
• Capital improvement plans and budgets
• Other plans and policies outlined in the capability assessments in the jurisdictional annexes • Other plans, regulations, and practices with a mitigation focus HMPC members involved in the updates to the planning mechanisms will be responsible for integrating the findings and recommendations of this plan with these other plans, programs, etc, as appropriate. As an action step to ensure integration with other planning mechanisms the County Office of Emergency Services Manager or designee will discuss this topic at the annual meeting of the HMPC previously described in the Maintenance Schedule. The HMPC will discuss if there are opportunities to incorporate the plan into other planning mechanisms and who would be responsible for leveraging those opportunities. HMPC members representing local jurisdictions will work with their jurisdictional planning teams to integrate their identified mitigation actions into their own local plans and programs. Efforts to integrate the hazard mitigation plan into local plans, programs, and policies will be reported on at the annual HMPC plan review meeting, and a record of successful integration efforts will be kept.
Examples of a process for incorporation of the LHMP into existing planning mechanisms include:
• As recommended by Assembly Bill (AB) 2140, each community should adopt (by reference or incorporation) this LHMP into the Safety Element of their General Plan(s). Evidence of such adoption (by formal, certified resolution) shall be provided to Cal OES and FEMA. • Integration of wildfire actions identified in this mitigation strategy with the actions and implementation priorities established in existing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs).
This has already occurred and will continue to occur as the CWPPs are updated and implemented. Specifically, key people responsible for development of the Highway 168 Fire Safe Council CWPP and Oak to Timberline Fire Safe Council CWPP participated as a member of the HMPC in the original development and 2017-2018 update of this LHMP. They identified key projects in the CWPPs and integrated them into the Mitigation Strategy of this LHMP.
Likewise, actual implementation of these wildfire projects will likely occur through the CWPP implementation process through the efforts of these same individuals. • Using the risk assessment information to update the hazard analysis in the Fresno County Operational Area Master Emergency Services Plan.
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Efforts should continuously be made to monitor the progress of mitigation actions implemented through these other planning mechanisms and, where appropriate, their priority actions should be incorporated into updates of this hazard mitigation plan.
CONTINUED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Continued public involvement is imperative to the overall success of the plan’s implementation. Efforts will be made to involve the public in the plan maintenance, evaluation, and review process. This includes maintaining a digital version of the plan on the County Office of Emergency Services website for public review. In addition, information on who to contact within the Office of Emergency Services will be posted with the plan. The Emergency Manager in the Fresno County Office of Emergency Services will maintain a file of comments received for reference during the next five-year update. Any revisions to the plan that may occur as a result of a disaster will also be made public and posted on the County website.
The next five-year update process also provides an opportunity to solicit participation from new and existing stakeholders and to publicize success stories from the plan implementation and seek additional public comment. A public hearing(s) or survey to receive public comment on the plan will be held during the plan update period. When the HMPC reconvenes for the update, they will coordinate with all stakeholders participating in the planning process, including those who joined the HMPC after the initial effort, to update and revise the plan. Public notice will be posted and public participation will be invited, at a minimum, through available website postings and press releases to the local media outlets as well as email and social media announcements.
Continued public outreach and education is also an aspect of the mitigation strategy in Chapter 5 of this plan through inclusion of an action to develop and conduct a multi-hazard seasonal public awareness program on an annual basis.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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Annex E: City of
Fresno
Exhibit B
Annex E: City of Fresno
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2 PARTICIPATION
To update the City of Fresno’s jurisdictional annex, the City of Fresno had the opportunity to consult and engage local stakeholders and partners during the planning process as needed. Additionally, during the planning process, the Witt O’Brien’s consulting team provided opportunities for the City of Fresno’s input. Opportunities included completing worksheets (such as the Capability Assessment, Hazard Risk Assessment, and Mitigation Strategy Worksheets), reviewing and providing feedback on the draft jurisdictional annex, providing feedback during planning team meetings, and providing feedback through emails or phone calls. The City of Fresno did not engage with stakeholders outside of those invited by the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee. These stakeholders are identified in Appendix B.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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3 COMMUNITY PROFILE
Figure 1. City of Fresno City Boundaries displays a map and the location within Fresno County of the City of Fresno.
Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 1. City of Fresno City Boundaries
Annex E: City of Fresno
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4 GEOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
The City of Fresno, located in the Central Valley, covers an area of 113 square miles. The Sphere of Influence (SOI) encompasses 157 square miles in total, of which 44 square miles is unincorporated land. Figure 2. City of Fresno Limits and Sphere of Influence shows the SOI and City limits. Over the past decade, the City has expanded into the northern, northwestern, and eastern reaches of its Sphere of Influence.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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5 Source: Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission,
https://www.fresnolafco.org/files/81063bbd7/Fresno092319_Portrait.pdf
Figure 2. City of Fresno Limits and Sphere of Influence Annex E: City of Fresno
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6 Except for the deep channel of the San Joaquin River at the northern boundary of the City, Fresno’s topography is generally level and slopes gently to the southwest. The upper San Joaquin River lies at the City’s northerly boundary and has carved a deep channel, confining the river between steep bluffs that range from 20 to approximately 100 feet in height. Fresno has a Mediterranean climate, averaging over 300 sunny days per year and little or no measurable precipitation from June through September.
Annual rainfall averages 11 inches and the City’s prevailing winds are typically light and from the northwest.
Storms with strong weather disturbances (lightning and very agitated winds) may occur from autumn months through the spring, with the strength of the storm dependent upon temperature gradients between moving weather fronts.
Winter mornings in December and January approach freezing but only rarely reach as low as, or below, 32ºF; winter daytime high temperatures almost always approach or exceed 40ºF. Snowfall is an extremely rare and transient phenomenon; the last recorded snowfall had trace amounts on December 11, 2005. The Tule fog, a thick ground fog that settles in the San Joaquin Valley from late fall through early spring, is the leading cause of weather-related accidents in California. In addition to causing visibility issues, “black ice” from precipitated fog may temporarily affect some roadways and bridges during the winter.
Summer daytime peak temperatures are high in Fresno. Some heat waves last over a week with daytime highs well over 100ºF and issuance of health advisories. Summer evenings provide for some cooling of 10-15ºF with the early morning daybreak hours cooling by 20-30ºF, depending on humidity (low humidity allows for more radiant cooling). In 2021, the Fresno area experienced 69 days over 100 degrees – a record-breaking number of days, according to data from the National Weather Service. 1Figure 3. Fresno-Yosemite International Airport Monthly Normals for Precipitation and Temperature (1991-2020) shows the monthly normal for temperature and precipitation at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport NWS weather station.
1 Extreme heat in Fresno County affects health (fresnoland.org) https://fresnoland.org/2022/08/26/fresno-county-heat- waves-will-last-longer-in-the-future-heres-what-that-means-for-your-health/ Annex E: City of Fresno
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7 Source: NWS
Geography and climate combine to create a general accumulation of air pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley (and in the City of Fresno) that occasionally result in unhealthy air quality conditions. Air quality problems are exacerbated by dust storms, human activities (e.g., vehicle emissions and fireplace and wood stove use), atmospheric photochemical processes, and forest fires from local and regional fires.
According to a report published by the American Lung Association, Fresno County is the dirtiest place in America for short-term particle pollution. The Fresno metro area saw a greater than 40 percent increase in the Lung Association’s statistic for annual short-term exposure to PM2.5 particles. 2 The City has chronically failed to attain some of the national and state ambient air quality standards, but due to the efforts of the California Air Resources Board and the regional San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District, progress toward attainment of ozone (oxidant) and particulate matter standards is being made. Carbon monoxide standards were deemed to have been attained in the 1990s.
2 New report says Fresno region has dirtiest air in US. Experts call for critical change - Fresnoland https://fresnoland.org/2022/04/21/new-report-says-fresno-region-has-dirtiest-air-in-us-experts-call-for-critical-change Figure 3. Fresno-Yosemite International Airport Monthly Normals for Precipitation and Temperature (1991-2020)
Annex E: City of Fresno
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8 HISTORY
Development of what today is the City of Fresno began in 1871, when the Central Pacific Railroad chose the Fresno Station for its San Joaquin Valley rail line. The City soon became the County seat and the shipping and distribution hub for the region’s agricultural industry. An economic boom across California in the 1880s helped transform Fresno from a village to a city and helped drive its incorporation in 1885. Today, the City of Fresno is the center of trade, commerce, finance, and transportation for the San Joaquin Valley.
ECONOMY
The most comprehensive economic data available for the City of Fresno comes from the U.S. Census Bureau by way of the American Community Survey (ACS). Select estimates of economic characteristics for the City of Fresno are shown in Table 1. City of Fresno's Economic Characteristics.
Table 1. City of Fresno's Economic Characteristics
Characteristic City of Fresno
Families below Poverty Level 15.1%
All People below Poverty Level 20.6%
Median Family Income $74,085
Median Household Income $64,196
Per Capita Income $30,533
Population in Labor Force 263,824
Population Employed 242,002
Unemployment 7.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates, www.census.gov/
Table 2. City of Fresno's Employment by Occupation and Table 3. City of Fresno's Employment by Industry show how the City of Fresno’s labor force breaks down by occupation and industry based on 5-year estimates from the 2018-2022 American Community Survey.
Table 2. City of Fresno's Employment by Occupation
Occupation # Employed % Employed
Management, Business, Science
and Arts Occupations 80,046 33.08%
Management, Business, and
Financial Occupations (33,682) (49.37%)
Computer, Engineering, and
Science Occupations (8,280) (12.64%)
Annex E: City of Fresno
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9 Occupation # Employed % Employed
Education, Legal, Community
Service, Arts, and Media
Occupations
(26,257) (38.49%)
Sales and Office Occupations 48,846 20.18%
Service Occupations 54,667 22.59%
Production, Transportation, and
Material Moving Occupations 36,666 15.15%
Natural Resources, Construction,
and Maintenance Operations 21,777 8.99%
Total 242,002 100.00%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates, www.census.gov/
Table 3. City of Fresno's Employment by Industry
Industry # Employed % Employed
Educational Services, and Health
Care, and Social Assistance 55,512 22.94%
Retail Trade 25,233 10.43%
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation,
and Accommodation, and Food
Services
26,632 11.00%
Professional, Scientific, and
Management, and Administrative
and Waste Management Services
24,980 10.32%
Manufacturing 16,051 6.63%
Public Administration 16,904 6.99%
Finance and Insurance, and Real
Estate and Rental and Leasing 13,334 5.51%
Other Services, Except Public
Administration 11,996 4.96%
Construction 14,154 5.85%
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and
Hunting, and Mining 8,625 3.56%
Transportation and Warehousing
and Utilities 19,686 8.13%
Wholesale Trade 6,119 2.53%
Information 2,776 1.15%
Total 242,002 100.00%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2022 5-Year Estimates, www.census.gov/
With the depressed real estate and construction market and economic recession toward the end of the 2000–2010-decade, unemployment rates increased to a peak of 18.0 percent in 2010. Since then, the unemployment rate has steadily decreased. In recent years, unemployment sharply rose again, 17.4 Annex E: City of Fresno
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10 percent in April 2020, during the COVID-19 as many businesses shut down and employees were laid off. The most recent annual data from the State of California Employment Development Department indicates that in 2022 there were 244,027 people employed in the City of Fresno labor force. The unemployment rate was 8.2 percent as of December 2023.
POPULATION
According to the U.S. Census Bureau 2022 Population Estimate, Fresno’s population was estimated to be 545,567. Select demographic and social characteristics for the City from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates are shown in Table 4. City of Fresno's Demographic and Social Characteristics.
Table 4. City of Fresno's Demographic and Social Characteristics Characteristics City of Fresno
Gender/Age
Male 49.2%
Female 50.0%
Median Age 30.0
Under 5 Years 8.9%
Under 18 Years 29.5%
65 Years and Over 9.9%
Race/Ethnicity
White 52.2%
Asian 13.0%
Black or African American 7.9%
American Indian/Alaska Native 1.1%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 48.5%
Education
High school graduate or higher 75.2%
Disability Status
Population 5 years and over with a disability 11.75%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2018-2022 5-Year Estimates, www.census.gov/
For information about how some of these demographics affect social vulnerability and how they compare to other Fresno County jurisdictions, California, and the United States, see “Social Vulnerability” in the Fresno County Vulnerability and Assets at Risk section of the main plan. A more in- depth look at the population of the City of Fresno, including the City’s special needs populations, is available in the City of Fresno General Plan 2015-2023 Housing Element commissioned by the City of Fresno Development and Resource Management Department and prepared by MIG, Inc (available at www.fresno.gov/housingelement).
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
11 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND SUMMARY
The City of Fresno’s planning team identified the hazards that affect the City and summarized their frequency of occurrence, spatial extent, potential magnitude, and significance specific to Firebaugh (see Table 6. City of Fresno - Hazard Summaries). Table 5. Risk Methodology shows the methodology to how the hazards were ranked. In the context of the plan’s planning area, there are no hazards that are unique to Fresno.
Table 5. Risk Methodology
RF Value = {(Probability x .30) + (Impact x .30) + (Spatial Extent x.20) + (Warning Time x .10) + (Duration x .10)}
Risk Assessment
Category Degrees of Risk Weight
Value
Probability: What is
the likelihood of a
hazard event
occurring in a given
year?
Unlikely Less than 1% annual probability 1
30%
Possible Between 1% and 49.9% annual probability 2
Likely Between 50% and 90% annual probability 3
Highly Likely Greater than 90% annual probability 4
Impact: In terms of
injuries, damage, or
death, would you
anticipate impacts to
be minor, limited,
critical, or
catastrophic when a
significant hazard
event occurs?
Minor
Very few injuries, if any. Only minor property
damage and minimal disruption on quality of
life. Temporary shutdown of critical facilities. 1
30%
Limited
Minor injuries. More than 10% of property in
affected area damaged or destroyed.
Complete shutdown of critical facilities for
more than one day.
2 Critical
Multiple deaths / injuries possible. More than
25% of property in affected area damaged
or destroyed. Complete shutdown of critical
facilities for more than a week. 3
Catastrophic
High number of deaths / injuries possible.
More than 50% of property in affected area
damaged or destroyed. Complete shutdown
of critical facilities for 30 days or more. 4
Spatial Extent: How
large of an area
could be impacted by
Negligible Less than 1% of area affected 1 20%
Small Between 1% and 10.9% of area affected 2
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
12 RF Value = {(Probability x .30) + (Impact x .30) + (Spatial Extent x.20) + (Warning Time x .10) + (Duration x .10)}
Risk Assessment
Category Degrees of Risk Weight
Value
a hazard event? Are
impacts localized or
regional?
Moderate Between 11% and 25% of area affected 3
Large Greater than 25% of area affected 4
Warning Time: is
there usually some
lead time associated
with the hazard
event? Have warning
measures been
implemented?
More than 24
hours Self-Defined 1
10%
12 to 24 hours Self-Defined 2
6 to 12 hours Self-Defined 3
Less than 6
hours Self-Defined 4
Duration: how long
does the hazard
event usually last?
Less than 6
hours Self-Defined 1
10%
Less than 24
hours Self-Defined 2
Less than 1
week Self-Defined 3
More than 1
week Self-Defined 4
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
13 Table 6. City of Fresno - Hazard Summaries
Hazard
0.3 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 Overall
Risk Probability Impact Spatial Extent Warning Time Duration Agricultural
Hazards Likely Minor Negligible 12 to 24 hours* Less than 24 hours* Low
Avalanche Unlikely Minor Negligible N/A N/A Low
Dam Failure Unlikely Catastrophic Moderate Less than 6 hours Less than 24 hours High
Drought Possible Limited Large More than 24
hours
More than
1 week High
Earthquake Possible Limited Large Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours Medium*
Flood/Levee Failure Possible Critical Large More than 24 hours
Less than 1
week High
Hazardous Materials Likely Critical Large Less than 6 hours Less than 1 week High
Human Health Hazards
Epidemic/Pandemic Possible Catastrophic Large More than 24 hours
More than
1 week High
West Nile Virus Highly Likely Minor N/A N/A N/A Low
Severe Weather
Extreme
Cold/Freeze/Heat Highly Likely Limited Large More than 24 hours
Less than 1
week Medium*
Fog Likely Limited Large More than 24
hours
Less than
24 hours Medium*
Heavy
Rain/Thunderstorm/
Hail/Lightning/Wind
Highly Likely Minor Large More than 24
hours
Less than
24 hours Medium*
Tornado Possible Minor Large Less than 6 hours Less than 6 hours Low*
Winter Storm Possible Minor Large More than 24
hours
Less than 1
week Low*
Soil Hazards
Erosion Highly Likely Minor Moderate N/A N/A Low*
Expansive Soils Possible Minor Negligible N/A N/A Low
Land Subsidence Possible No Data Limited N/A N/A Low
Landslide Likely Limited Small 12 to 24 hours* Less than 6 hours Low*
Volcano Unlikely Minor Negligible Less than 6 hours More than 1 week Low
Wildfire Highly Likely Critical Small 12 to 24 hours* More than 1 week* Medium*
*Rated on an average basis. For example, warning time for agricultural hazards by vary by the type of hazard (When under the Warning Time and Duration column).
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
14 *Hazard “Overall Risk” column differs from the risk factor methodology used based on the jurisdiction’s Hazard Risk Assessment Worksheet. For example, the “Overall Risk” for a hazard may be High but the jurisdiction assessed the hazard to be a Low risk based on other factors.
Note: N/A was identified for hazard characteristics when the information was not available or relevant to the hazard/jurisdiction.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
15 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
The intent of this section is to assess Fresno’s vulnerability separate from that of the planning area as a whole, which has already been assessed in the Vulnerability Assessment section in the main plan. This vulnerability assessment analyzes the population, property, and other assets at risk to hazards ranked of medium or high significance that may vary from other parts of the planning area.
The information to support the hazard identification and risk assessment for this Annex was collected through a worksheet, which was distributed to each participating municipality or special district to complete during the 2024 plan update. Information collected was analyzed and summarized in order to identify and rank all the hazards that could impact anywhere within the County, as well as to rank the hazards and to identify the related vulnerabilities unique to each jurisdiction.
Each participating jurisdiction was in support of the main hazard summary identified in the base plan.
However, the hazard summary rankings for each jurisdictional annex may vary slightly due to specific hazard risk and vulnerabilities unique to that jurisdiction (See Table 6. City of Fresno - Hazard Summaries). Identifying these differences helps the reader to differentiate the jurisdiction’s risk and vulnerabilities from that of the overall County.
The hazard risk reflects overall ranking for each hazard and is based on the City of Fresno’s HMPC member input from the Risk Assessment Worksheet and the risk assessment developed during the planning process (see Chapter 4 of the base plan), which included a more detailed qualitative analysis with best available data.
The hazard summaries in Table 6 reflect the hazards that could potentially affect the City. The discussion of vulnerability for each of the following hazards is located in the Estimating Potential Losses section. Those hazards that are not profiled in the vulnerability assessment were identified as consistent with the County’s overall vulnerability assessment. See Chapter 4 Risk Assessment for details on vulnerability to these hazards.
POPULATION AT RISK
The CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a tool that supports in identifying communities that are vulnerable to hazards and other stressors. Emergencies and disasters often highlight and intensify existing societal inequities, affecting groups based on socioeconomic status, race, age, disability, and other social factors. These events disproportionately impact certain populations, creating additional challenges in preparation, response, and recovery phases. More information on the SVI can be found in Chapter 4 of the base plan under the Social Vulnerability section.
In the City of Fresno, census tracts with a higher SVI are clustered near the central and southern portion of the City, as shown in Figure 4. City of Fresno Social Vulnerability Index. These census tracts may be at more risk of disaster and hazard impacts based on existing social inequities. To equitably reduce impacts to these communities, future planning, preparedness, and mitigation activities should work to address the social inequities that may increase their risk to disaster impacts. The CDC’s Interactive SVI Map is a useful tool is understanding which social factors contribute to a census tracts higher overall SVI (e.g., socioeconomic status, race, age, disability, etc.). 3 3 CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) | Place and Health | ATSDR https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/placeandhealth/svi/interactive_map.html Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
16 Source: CDC 2022 Social Vulnerability Index, City of Fresno City Boundary
Figure 4. City of Fresno Social Vulnerability Index
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
17 ASSETS AT RISK
This section considers Fresno’s assets at risk, including values at risk; critical facilities and infrastructure; historic, cultural, and natural resources; economic assets; and growth and development trends.
Since the 2009 Plan, the City of Fresno has experienced notable increases in agricultural, commercial, and residential properties and property values at risk. Compared to improved values from the Fresno County Assessor’s Office’s 2007 Certified Roll Values, agricultural improved value has increased by 254.2 percent, commercial improved value has increased by 299.8 percent and total residential improved value has increased by 265.8 percent. Part of this dramatic increase in exposure of commercial and residential properties can be attributed to annexations of previously unincorporated County land that have occurred within the last decade.
CRITICAL FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE
A critical facility may be defined as one that is essential in providing utility or direction either during the response to an emergency or during the recovery operation. An inventory of critical facilities in the City of Fresno from Fresno County GIS is provided in Table 7. City of Fresno's Critical Facilities and mapped in Figure 5. City of Fresno Critical Facilities.
Table 7. City of Fresno's Critical Facilities
Critical Facility Type Count
Airport 2
Bus 1
CalARP 28
Colleges & Universities 8
Communications 29
Electric 5
EOC 1
Fire Station 27
Health Care 13
Police 11
Railway 7
School 190
Supplemental College 7
Wastewater 2
Total 331
Source: Fresno County
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
18 Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno – GIS, 2022, 2023
Figure 5. City of Fresno Critical Facilities
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
19 The list of specific critical facilities and community assets is maintained by the City of Fresno Police Department. The Fresno Urban Area Critical Infrastructure List is considered confidential and may be accessed through the Fresno Police Department Homeland Security Division.
HISTORIC, CULTURAL, AND NATURAL RESOURCES
HISTORIC AND CULTURAL SITES
The Cultural Resource Facility located on the California State University, Bakersfield campus maintains a database, maps, and descriptive surveys of prehistoric sites in the Fresno area. Details of the locations are kept confidential due to the risk of theft or vandalism of artifacts. The general location of these sites is along the San Joaquin River and its bluffs, where permanent Native American settlements were established near a permanent water supply and seasonal salmon fishery.
The City of Fresno maintains a local official register of historic resources (available from the historic preservation officer in the City’s Planning and Development Department). There are approximately 284 properties on the register. Twenty-one of the properties were demolished or destroyed by fire after being placed on the list, and three other properties have been relocated to sites outside the City of Fresno. The local register includes 31 properties that are on the National Register of Historic Places (see Table 8. City of Fresno's Properties on the National Register of Historic Places).
Table 8. City of Fresno's Properties on the National Register of Historic Places Property Name Address Date-Listed
Azteca Theater 836-840 F Street 4/05/2017
Bank of Italy 1015 Fulton Mall 10/29/1982
Ben Gefvert Rank Historic District 4770 W Whites Bridge Road 1/01/2011 Brix, H.H, Mansion 2844 Fresno Street 9/15/1983
Einstein House 1600 M Street 1/31/1978
Fig Garden Woman’s Club 4550 N. Van Ness Blvd 7/18/1994 Forestiere Underground Gardens 5021 W. Shaw Avenue 10/28/1977 Fresno Bee Building 1555 Van Ness Avenue 11/1/1982
Fresno Brewing Company Office
and Warehouse 100 M Street 1/5/1984
Fresno County Hall of Records 2281 Tulare Street 12/22/2011 Fresno Memorial Auditorium 2425 Fresno Street 5/10/1994 Fresno Republican Printery Building 2130 Kern Street 1/2/1979 Fresno Sanitary Landfill West and Jensen Avenues 8/7/2010 Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic
Church 2226 Ventura Street 7/31/1986
Hotel California 851 Van Ness Avenue 4/21/2004
Kearney, M. Theo, Park and Mansion 7160 Kearney Boulevard 3/13/1975 Kindler, Paul, House 1520 E Olive Avenue 10/29/1982
Maulbridge Apartments 2344 Tulare Street 5/6/1982
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
20 Property Name Address Date-Listed
Meux House 1007 R Street 1/13/1975
Old Administration Building, Fresno
City College 1101 University Avenue 5/1/1974
Old Fresno Water Tower 2444 Fresno Street 10/14/1971
Pantages, Alexander, Theater 1400 Fulton Street 2/23/1978 Physicians Building 2607 Fresno Street 11/20/1978
Rehorn House 1050 S Street 1/8/1982
Romain, Frank, House 2055 San Joaquin Street 1/11/1982
San Joaquin Light & Power
Corporation Buildings 1401 Fulton Street 1/3/2006
Santa Fe Hotel 935 Santa Fe Avenue 3/14/1991
Santa Fe Passenger Depot 2650 Tulare Street 11/7/1976
Site of First Junior College in
California 2500 Stanislaus Street 6/28/1965
Site of the Fresno Free Speech Fight
of the Industrial Workers of the
World
Mariposa and I Streets 7/19/1974
Southern Pacific Passenger Depot 1033 H Street 3/21/1978 Temporary Detention Camps for
Japanese Americans-Fresno
Assembly Center
1141 South Chance Avenue 5/13/1980
Tower Theatre 1201 N. Wishon Avenue 9/24/1992
Twining Laboratories 2527 Fresno Street 3/26/1991
Warehouse Row 722, 744, and 764 P Street 3/24/1978
YWCA Building 1660 M Street 9/21/1978
Source: National Register of Historic Places, www.nps.gov/nr/
Other historic resources in the City of Fresno include the following historic districts:
The Porter Tract Historic District (45 homes)
The Chandler Field/Fresno Municipal Airport Historic District (four historic structures) The Wilson Island Historic District (76 homes)
The Huntington Boulevard Historic Districts (82 homes)
As comprehensive as the City’s register may be, it does not include all properties in the City with potential historic or cultural significance. The list is continually being expanded as sites are discovered through routine analysis of proposed development areas and through proposed new listings of historic districts. The pool of potentially historic properties also changes through time, since federal law provides for a 50-year retrospective review, which now encompasses the post- World War II building boom era. Ten properties that were recommended for the City’s register but were denied inclusion by the Fresno City Council are still recognized for their historic/cultural significance (heritage properties), Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
21 which is taken into account when any actions are undertaken on them pursuant to provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. (Three of these properties have been since been demolished.) While a detailed assessment of seismic and flood risks for the listed properties in Fresno is currently beyond the available staff resources of the City’s Historic Preservation Office, it can be generally assumed that most of the structures have not been seismically reinforced and that their masonry is vulnerable to strong ground shaking.
While many of the structures are in Fresno’s old downtown and were built when this area was largely within the 100-year floodplain of the Fresno Stream Group, efforts by the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Fresno have provided for flood detention structures and ponding basins that have greatly reduced the size and extent of the floodplain in the downtown, helping to preserve these historic resources.
NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS
San Joaquin River Corridor
While the City maintains many community and neighborhood parks, its natural resources are primarily along the San Joaquin River. Owing to the year-round presence of water, the river bottom and bluffs host the richest aquatic and riparian forest biota in the City. It is in this area where migratory waterfowl and federally and state-listed endangered wildlife are most likely be encountered. These species include the valley elderberry longhorn beetle, the giant garter snake, and the American bald eagle (recently recommended for delisting from the National Endangered Species list).
Over past decades, land in the river corridor has been purchased and aggregated by state agencies (Department of Fish and Game, San Joaquin River Conservancy), by nonprofit groups (San Joaquin River Parkway Trust, Fresno Sportsmen’s Club), and by the City and County (the City’s Woodward Park and Milburn Unit, the County’s Lost Lake Park). The ultimate goal of the San Joaquin River Conservancy Plan is to fashion a regional parkway with continuity of wildlife corridors and to manage it for joint recreational, habitat conservation, and floodplain protection uses.
Due to its location, this natural resource area is flood-prone. In some areas, this risk has been increased due to removal of massive amounts of sand and gravel (from mining), which lowered the ground surface over past decades. While the native riparian plants and animals have largely evolved with coping mechanisms for periodic severe flooding, any developed recreation facilities would be at risk. The face of the bluff is also very vulnerable to wildfire because of its vegetative overgrowth and nearly vertical slopes. Fire prevention efforts are difficult here because the soils are too unstable for vegetative removal projects or for irrigation that would keep the plants well- watered.
Vernal Pool Areas
In the northerly parts of the City, outside the river corridor, certain clay soils have the capacity to form impermeable hardpans and layers that do not allow rapid percolation of rainwater. During the rainy season, shallow vernal pools form that are populated by a host of specialized plants and animals. Many species associated with vernal pools are federally and state-listed species (e.g., the California tiger salamander, various types of fairy shrimp crustaceans, orcutt grass, button celery species, meadowfoam, and owl clover). Vernal pools are also heavily utilized by nonlisted species, such as migratory waterfowl, rodents, furbearing predators, and raptors that prey on other animals.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
22 Wildfire is not considered a major risk to these natural communities, because they evolved with dry season fires as a common occurrence (the plants have very resistant seeds and the crustaceans and amphibians go into protected parts of their life cycles such as deep dormancy). Human encroachment through agriculture and land development is the greatest risk to vernal pool areas. If the clay layers are disrupted by “deep ripping” plowing, water cannot accumulate on the surface and the pools will not form. If the land is subjected to year-round irrigation, specially adapted vernal pool species will be outcompeted by other species. Conversion of land to urban development with structures, paving, lawns, pets, and people will destroy vernal pool natural communities.
ECONOMIC ASSETS
The City of Fresno’s economic sector includes both private and public entities that have been compiled into clusters in order to identify key economic assets. These ten clusters, known as the Regional Job Initiative (RJI) clusters, are Advanced Manufacturing, Clean Energy, Construction, Food Processing, Healthcare, Info Processing (Call Centers, Logistics, and Distribution), Software Development, Tourism, and Water Technology. Among these clusters are major employers like Amazon, Fresno Unified School District, Foster Farms, and Community Medical Centers that both boost Fresno’s economic growth and provide employment opportunities.
If a disaster struck the City, it could have a severe impact on Fresno’s economic assets. Sectors of greatest concern include all the RJI clusters, but in particular Food Processing, which includes the agricultural industry, and Healthcare.
GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT TRENDS
The City of Fresno is growing at a rapid pace. Its expansion from incorporation in 1885 to the present day (August 2017) is illustrated in Figure 6. City of Fresno Annexation History. Even more growth is anticipated in the years to come, based on current trends.
Table 9. City of Fresno's Change in Population and Housing Units, 2017-2022 shows how the City has grown in terms of population and number of housing units between 2017 and 2022 alone.
Table 9. City of Fresno's Change in Population and Housing Units, 2017-2022 2017
Population
2022
Population
Estimate
Estimated
Percent
Change 2017-
2022
2017 # of
Housing
Units
2022
Estimated #
of Housing
Units
Estimated
Percent
Change 2017-
2022
527,422 545,564 +3.44% 180,495 192,007 +6.38%
Source: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates 2017 and 2022
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
23 Source: City of Fresno Development Department.
Figure 6. City of Fresno Annexation History
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
24 By December 31, 2035 (the “Horizon” year of the most recent Fresno General Plan), it is estimated that 771,000 people will reside in the Fresno Metropolitan Area (which would include County islands and areas inside the City’s Sphere of Influence but not yet annexed). This figure of 771,000 would be 64 percent of the projected 2035 Fresno County population of 1,201,416 (State of California Department of Finance population projections).
Development had reached the natural and political northerly boundary of the City, the San Joaquin River, and began expanding to the west and southeast through conversion of rural residential and agricultural land. Within the Sphere of Influence, there continued to be “County islands” and partially urbanized fringe areas. An urban unification annexation program may reduce the numbers and sizes of these enclaves in the coming decade.
The Fresno General Plan made a concerted effort to revitalize the City’s downtown by balancing new growth areas to geographically recenter the downtown. With construction of a major sewer trunk along the Grantland Avenue alignment and proposed construction of new wastewater and water treatment plants in the southeastern area, the City’s future growth is expected to concentrate primarily to the west and southeast.
The Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) has commenced major flood control facility construction on Fancher Creek in the eastern portion of the City’s Sphere of Influence. Since the Fresno General Plan was completed in December 2014, the FMFCD will compile technical studies and update its master service plan in conjunction with the City’s land use plan for this new growth area.
The Fresno General Plan also directed that new development be more compact and that single- family residential densities be higher than the City’s traditional 4± dwelling units/acre pattern for subdivisions.
The recently adopted Fulton Corridor Specific Plan and Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan and other plan amendments and projects in process (and proposed in the future) feature smaller lots, multi-story housing, multi-family units, and reduced setbacks.
Unless the cost of manufactured housing units provides a substantial savings over site-built homes, it is not expected that the proportion of manufactured housing in the City of Fresno will greatly increase. It is possible that there will be some increase as producers of these units create models with appropriate roof pitches and other features to meet the City’s design review standards.
More information about the City of Fresno’s growth and current housing stock is available in the City of Fresno General Plan 2015-2023 Housing Element commissioned by the City of Fresno Development and Resource Management Department and prepared by MIG, Inc (available at www.fresno.gov/housingelement). More general information on growth and development in Fresno County as a whole can be found in “Growth and Development Trends” in the Fresno County Vulnerability and Assets at Risk section of the main plan.
ESTIMATING POTENTIAL LOSSES
Note: This section details vulnerability to specific hazards, where quantifiable, and/or where (through HMPC member input) it differs from that of the overall County.
Figure 6. City of Fresno Annexation History shows Fresno’s exposure to hazards in terms of number and value of structures. Fresno County’s parcel and assessor data was used to calculate the improved value of parcels. The most vulnerable structures are those in the floodplain (especially those that have been flooded in the past), unreinforced masonry buildings, and buildings built prior to the introduction of modern-day building codes. No further information on vulnerable structures is available. Impacts of past Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
25 events and vulnerability to specific hazards are further discussed below (see the Hazard Identification section for more detailed information about these hazards and their impacts on Fresno County).
AGRICULTURAL HAZARDS (LOW)
Agricultural hazards are ranked with a Low significance in the City of Fresno; lower than for the County overall (ranked High) because very little land in the City is used for agricultural purposes. Agricultural losses due to hazard events have greater economic impact on the small communities and rural areas of the County than on the City of Fresno. However, ornamental and garden plants in the City, and pets and incidental livestock kept within City limits, may become involved in any countywide responses to crop pests or infectious agents, because these urban plants and animals provide reservoirs for the diseases and crop pests that threaten the County’s agriculture.
DAM FAILURE (HIGH)
The National Inventory of Dams lists five dams located in the City of Fresno, including the Redbank Creek Detention basin, Fancher Creek Detention, Friant Millerton Road Embankment A, Redbank, and Friant Dike 3.
DROUGHT (HIGH)
Annual rainfall in the City of Fresno is typically 12-14 inches. This makes the region vulnerable to episodic drought and to chronic drawdown of aquifer levels (the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated the groundwater below Fresno as a sole source aquifer). Water in this aquifer has historically flowed through permeable strata from north and northeast toward the south and west, but the aquifer has been so affected by drawdown that a “cone of depression” has been created, reversing the historic flow directions (the “groundwater gradient”) in portions of west and south Fresno.
In the last 10 years the City of Fresno has made strides to reduce dependence on groundwater by setting a course to implement water plans, which include the Urban Water Management Plan, Recycled Water Waster Plan, and the recently adopted Water Capital Program. A surface water treatment plant is currently under construction in Southeast Fresno and should be completed by 2018. When operational, the plant will maximize use of Fresno’s surface water allocations during normal years and allow the City to reduce overuse of groundwater. Recycled water use will also grow in Fresno with the new recycled water mains now being constructed. The City has plans to use 25,000 acre-feet per year of recycled water for irrigating open spaces, parks, street medians and golf courses.
EARTHQUAKE (MEDIUM)
The seismic hazard in the City of Fresno is low relative to California coastal and mountain communities and is lower than in the Sierra and western areas of Fresno County. There are no known earthquake faults underlying Fresno, and the City has never been the epicenter of a known seismic event.
However, Fresno is considered to have a moderate risk of earthquake damage due to the presence of major fault systems to the west, south, and east and due to Fresno’s large population and number of Annex E: City of Fresno
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26 buildings, critical facilities, and infrastructure and other development that could be vulnerable to more severe ground shaking.
Historically, Fresno has sustained very little damage from major earthquakes occurring on California’s major faults: the Owens Valley earthquake of 1872 toppled an unreinforced masonry (brick) church steeple. More recent major earthquakes in the past four decades (with epicenters near Coalinga and the Bay Area) have resulted in perceptible tall building swaying in Fresno, minor injuries (attributable to shelved items falling), and slight damage (e.g., minor cracked plaster, etc.). To date, no soil liquefaction has been observed in Fresno from any seismic event.
The most serious impacts of an earthquake in Fresno would probably arise from damage to large dams in the Sierra Nevada on the upper reaches of the San Joaquin River very close to active Long Valley Caldera-related faults. Should either of the two most easterly (and largest) dams in this area be severely damaged or breached, the resulting sequential dam failures could cause floodwaters to overtop Friant Dam northeast of the City. While the dam failure inundation map for Friant shows that most of the flooded area would be expected in the northwest part of town (where the confining river bluffs are not as high), there are some residences and important infrastructure in the river channel itself that would be inundated and gravely damaged (or destroyed), including highway bridges and the inlet of the Friant-Kern Canal, which supplies Bureau of Reclamation surface water to the Fresno area and to other communities in the southern San Joaquin Valley.
Socioeconomically disadvantaged communities would experience the most damage due to the event perpetuating a cycle of poverty, displacement, and overall inequities. These communities may not be able to afford earthquake mitigation projects to their property, may not have authority to make such changes due to renting, or may be unhoused. Older adults, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with limited English proficiency are likely are more vulnerable to earthquakes due to lack of access to emergency communications and difficulty in evacuating unsafe structures for example.
EPIDEMIC/PANDEMIC (HIGH)
Fresno’s population includes many residents who have limited access to health care, with causes related to low household income levels, lack of insurance coverage, a limited number of primary health care facilities and acute care beds, a low ratio of public health and medical professionals to population, and language barriers. Highly communicable diseases tend to affect a large percentage of the City, perhaps due to large household size and the mobility of the population. If a highly communicable disease outbreak occurred that caused serious or life-threatening illness for most infected persons, health care and other public service systems would experience disruption or breakdown and would require outside intervention with resources from other communities, the state, or the federal government. The recent COVID-19 pandemic caused high mortality and illness across the State of California and within Fresno. The Hazard Profile section in Chapter 4: Risk Assessment, details this event further.
EXTREME COLD/FREEZE (MEDIUM)
Freeze events occur occasionally in Fresno, but impacts are greater to the agriculture industry in the County than to the City. In January 2007, overnight minimum temperatures fell below freezing between January 6 and 10. The event led to a presidential disaster declaration due to the estimated $710 million in agricultural damage in the Central and South Valley. The 2007 event occurred in another eight-year Annex E: City of Fresno
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27 interval after the devastating citrus freezes of 1998 and 1990. The event caused frozen pipes in Fresno but little other property damage. The City also has a plan for freezing temperature events and opens warming centers. These centers are primarily geared toward the homeless population.
EXTREME HEAT (MEDIUM)
Fresno uses a local version of the California State Plan for Extreme Heat. This plan was used during the extreme heat event during the summer of 2006 and worked well. The City operates cooling centers, which are primarily geared toward the homeless. Public notification for extreme heat events is conducted through the Public Affairs office in coordination with Fresno County.
EXPANSIVE SOILS (LOW)
These types of soils occur in northern Fresno in the far northeastern portions of its Sphere of Influence (in the “Copper River” area). Expansive clay soils can cause cavitation over time and require special construction standards for foundations.
FLOOD/LEVEE FAILURE (HIGH)
As noted in the preceding section, there is some flood risk to the City from San Joaquin River major dam failure inundation, but the more common flood risk, repetitively experienced in Fresno, is that of shallow “sheet” flooding from major precipitation events. Except for the San Joaquin River, streams in the Fresno-Clovis Metropolitan Area originate in the Sierra foothills to the east and extend into the valley floor west of State Route 99 by way of dual-use irrigation and storm runoff channels and disperse into numerous smaller irrigation canals. Overflow from these canals and urban stormwater from intense precipitation events is sent back to the San Joaquin River or to farmland southwest of Fresno via spillway channels.
In the City of Fresno, these canals and channels are under control of the Fresno Irrigation District, an independent public agency, but their use during storm events is shared by another independent district, the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD). The FMFCD was created to develop flood control facilities to prevent further repetitive losses created by the Fresno Stream Group and to provide an urban drainage network. This District is responsible for administering a Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan. The City’s municipal code supports these efforts by including a Drainage Fee Ordinance to ensure that grading and development comply with the FMFCD’s Master Plan and standards and provide proportionate shares of storm drain and ponding basin infrastructure.
The City of Fresno’s Floodplain Ordinance further coordinates and supports FMFCD efforts. This ordinance and the Fresno General Plan Safety Element policies require conformance to FEMA floodplain management policies and to those of California’s Central Valley Flood Prevention Board (which regulates the designated floodway along the San Joaquin River channel). Still, in areas not completely developed to urban standards, areas where the urban drainage network is not yet completed, and in some County “island” areas (land within the City that the County has authority over), stormwater drainage facilities may not prevent localized shallow flooding during intense runoff events.
According to FEMA’s 2016 Flood Insurance Study (FIS), the following major canals and ditches run through the City:
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
28 Central Canal flows southwest through the southeastern part of the City of Fresno. Dry Creek Canal begins at the confluence of Mill Ditch and Herndon Canal, just downstream of North Millbrook Avenue, and flows southwest through the southwestern portion of the City. Fancher Creek Canal flows southwest along the eastern corporate limits of the City of Fresno and joins Central Canal at the southeast corner of the City. Herndon Canal begins at the confluence of Mill Ditch and Dry Creek Canal. It flows west through the center of the City of Fresno, then flows northwest through the northwestern part of the City. Mill Ditch flows west along East McKinley Avenue to its confluence with Herndon and Dry Creek Canals.
The FIS details the City of Fresno’s flood history as follows:
In February 1884, flood flows from streams of the Fresno-Clovis group inundated the business section of the City of Fresno. Frequent flooding was a problem in the City throughout 1880. Suburban areas of the City were flooded in spring 1920; the downtown area was inundated in 1923; flooding occurred in the Fig Garden area in 1936; and parts of the City, especially in the northeast section, were flooded in March 1938. Since the 1938 flood, which had an estimated discharge of 2,700 cubic feet per second (cfs) on Dry Creek at the Big Dry Creek Dam site, high flows occurred on that stream in December 1955 (3,800 cfs), January 1969 (5,700 cfs), and February 1969 (4,500 cfs). During December 1955, approximately 500 acres of agricultural and suburban land were flooded by overflow from irrigation canals, and damage, mostly to public facilities, totaled approximately $50,000. The largest and most damaging flood period was January and February 1969, when the combined discharges of Dry, Dog, Redbank, Fancher, and Mud Creeks flooded an estimated 14,500 acres and caused almost $4.7 million in damage. Most of the flooding was in the eastern and northeastern parts of the City. It occurred because many of the streams in the Fresno-Clovis group discharged floodwater into various irrigation canals, causing them to overflow.
Several flood events that have occurred in Fresno are detailed below. 1998 (El Niño rain event): In 1998, Fresno County was hit by extensive rainfall over 33 days within a six-month period, causing widespread flooding and prompting local, state, and federal emergency declarations. Property and public facility damage totaled nearly half a million dollars, while the farming industry suffered a $17 million loss, primarily impacting tree fruit and row crops. The community faced substantial economic impacts between $38-48 million, and the agricultural workforce experienced significant unemployment and reduced work hours. 2005-2006: Above average rainfall occurred between December 19, 2005, and January 1, 2006.
This resulted in flooding of low-lying areas throughout the County. Flood control basins were overflowing in several areas, including the Cities of Fresno and Clovis. Property damage included damage to approximately 180 businesses and homes estimated at $1.4 million within the unincorporated County. Damage to other jurisdictions was estimated at $611,307. Damage to crops was minimal due to the time of year. Flooding further resulted in several road closures, which were one to two weeks in duration.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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29 October 29, 2007: Newspapers and broadcast meteorologists reported several roadways flooded in Northwest Fresno. Numerous vehicles were stranded, and water rescues occurred. Heavy rain caused a roof to collapse at an industrial plant on the northwest side of the city. Damage was estimated at 250,000 to the roof structure alone. Total property damage associated with the event amounted to over $500,000.
December 2007: Heavy rain and snowstorms ravaged central California, including the San Juaquin Valley and Fresno metropolitan area. The combination of locally heavy rains and poor drainage areas within the urban and suburban land lead to over $175,000 in property damage between December 18th and 19th.
December 29, 2010: On the morning of the 29th, heavy rain across the San Joaquin Valley caused widespread urban and poor drainage flooding. Especially hard hit were the metro areas of Fresno, Visalia, and Bakersfield, and the adjacent foothills. Fresno had a record rainfall of 0.92 inch on the 28th, breaking the old record of 0.72 inch, set in 2004. The two-day total at Fresno-Yosemite International Airport was 1.54 inch, which pushed the December rainfall to 5.92 inches for the second wettest December on record for Fresno; the wettest December was in 1955, with 6.73 inches. It was also the coldest low of the year for Fresno, with temperatures dropping below 32 degrees. Property damage amounted to $125,000.
November 30, 2011: Fresno set record high minimum temperatures on the last day of the month, establishing the total record for the sixth warmest November. This was also the fourth consecutive month that Fresno ranked in the top 10 warmest months. Fresno had a record rainfall on November 30th of 0.62 inch; the old record was 0.50 inch. As a result of the heavy rainfall, some rock and mud slides occurred as the moisture weakened the soil. Law enforcement reported a rock and mud slide on Highway 168 about 15 miles northeast of Clovis, which closed the road for several hours while authorities cleaned up the debris.
December 16, 2018: A cold front that was associated with a moist upper trough pushed across central California on December 17. This system brought moderate to locally heavy rainfall from Fresno County northward the late evening of December through the morning of December 17 where several stations reported a half inch to an inch and a quarter of rainfall, and there were several reports of mainly nuisance flooding during this time. The precipitation mainly fell as snow above 6500 feet where several stations in the Southern Sierra Nevada north of Fresno County picked up between 3 and 6 inches of new snow. Further south the rainfall was less plentiful with most locations receiving between a few hundredths of an inch to a quarter of an inch of rain by the time the precipitation ended by early afternoon on December 17.
VALUES AT RISK
Following the methodology described in the Vulnerability of Fresno County to Specific Hazards section, a flood map for the City of Fresno was created (see Figure 7. City of Fresno Flood Hazard Areas).
Table 10. City of Fresno’s FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Property Type and Table 11.
City of Fresno’s FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard by Property Type summarize the values at risk in the City’s 100-year and 500-year floodplain, respectively. These tables also detail loss estimates for each flood.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
30 Source: CA Geoportal; CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; USACE-National Levee Database; FEMA – Map Service Center, DFIRM, 1/2016; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 7. City of Fresno Flood Hazard Areas
Annex E: City of Fresno
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31 Table 10. City of Fresno’s FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard Property Type Property Type Parcel
Count
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value Loss
Estimate
Agriculture 7 $2,946,135 $5,728,367 $8,674,502 $2,168,625.50 Apartments 105 $164,861,445 $31,921,659 $196,783,104 $49,195,776.00 Commercial 17 $2,728,412 $1,698,214 $4,701,726 $1,175,431.50 Condominium 9 $2,946,834 $1,001,664 $3,948,498 $987,124.50 Industrial 74 $253,466,476 $91,341,641 $347,777,017 $86,944,254.25 Mobile/Manufactured
Home 1 $2,562,515 $2,959,024 $5,521,539 $1,380,384.75
Office/Professional
Space 1 $300,900 $81,600 $382,500 $95,625.00
Primary Use Not
Designated 80 $0 $0 $0 $0.00
Recreation 1 $164,951 $176,735 $341,686 $85,421.50
Single-Family
Residence 187 $30,890,879 $12,724,102 $43,624,981 $10,906,245.25 Vacant 34 $1,040 $6,284,806 $6,285,846 $1,571,461.50
Unknown 1,004
Total 1,520 $460,869,587 $153,917,812 $618,041,399 $154,510,349.75 Source: Fresno County Parcel and Assessor Data; 2009 FIRM
Table 11. City of Fresno’s FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard by Property Type Property Type Parcel
Count
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value Loss
Estimate
Agriculture 32 $5,495,613 $10,676,537 $16,172,150 $4,043,037.50 Apartments 3,113 $11,491,883,444 $2,307,538,758 $13,799,422,202 $3,449,855,550 Church 36 $26,935,989 $3,602,572 $30,755,561 $7,688,890.25 Commercial 1,003 $4,370,582,940 $958,255,679 $5,361,476,269 $1,340,369,067 Communications 1 $0 $3,458 $3,458 $864.50
Condominium 14 $34,466,814 $6,779,664 $41,246,478 $10,311,619.50 Group
Housing/Lodging 25 $71,850,485 $15,170,699 $87,700,784 $21,925,196.00 Hospital 16 $341,363,536 $17,708,710 $359,072,246 $89,768,061.50 Industrial 159 $152,095,940 $35,261,197 $190,612,677 $47,653,169.25 Mobile/Manufactured
Home 2 $2,701,780 $4,529,389 $7,231,169 $1,807,792.25
Office/Professional
Space 361 $795,090,433 $241,409,256 $1,039,367,489 $259,841,872.25 Outlot & Common
Area 1 $9 $14 $23 $5.75
Annex E: City of Fresno
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32 Property Type Parcel
Count
Improved
Value
Content
Value
Total Value Loss
Estimate
Primary Use Not
Designated 164 $0 $0 $0 $0.00
Recreation 1 $2,147,372 $418,318 $2,565,690 $641,422.50 School 8 $9,884,350 $2,386,174 $12,309,124 $3,077,281.00 Single-Family
Residence 5,390 $673,165,551 $240,945,384 $914,127,235 $228,531,808.75 Vacant 359 $949,614 $45,393,715 $46,471,529 $11,617,882.25 Total 10,685 $17,978,613,870 $3,890,079,524 $21,908,534,084 $5,477,133,521 Source: Fresno County Parcel and Assessor data; FEMA 2009 FIRM
Based on this analysis, the City of Fresno has significant assets at risk to the 100-year and greater floods. There are 1,520 parcels within the 100-year floodplain for a total value of roughly $618 million, including building and content value. An additional 10,685 parcels valued at roughly $21.9 billion fall within the 500-year floodplain.
Applying the 25 percent damage factor, there is a 1 percent chance in any given year of a 100-year flood causing roughly $154 million in damage in the City of Fresno and a 0.2 percent chance in any given year of a 500-year flood causing roughly $5.48 billion in damage (combined damage from both floods).
Properties at risk to flooding are shown in relation to the mapped floodplains in Figure 8. City of Fresno Flood Hazard Area Buildings at Risk.
Limitations: This model may include structures in the floodplains that are elevated at or above the level of the base-flood elevation, which will likely mitigate flood damage. Also, the assessed values are well below the actual market values. Thus, the actual value of assets at risk may be significantly higher than those included herein.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
33 Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; USACE National Levee Database, FEMA, DFIRM, 1/2016; County of Fresno – GIS, Microsoft, U.S. Building Footprints, 2019
Figure 8. City of Fresno Flood Hazard Area Buildings at Risk Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
34 In addition to the 100-year and 500-year floodplains mapped by FEMA, the California Department of Water Resources maintains Best Available Maps (BAM) which include the floodplains in the Sacramento and San Joaquin River Basins, based on a study performed in 2002 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Though limited to the San Joaquin River as a flood source and thus not as comprehensive as the FEMA FIRM, the USACE study shows additional differentiation in flood risk by modeling the 200-year floodplain (the flood with a 0.5 percent annual chance of occurring).
INSURANCE COVERAGE, CLAIMS PAID, AND REPETITIVE LOSSES
The City of Fresno joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on December 1, 1982. In addition to providing insurance for properties at risk of flooding, the program collects and publishes statistics on flood-related losses in participating jurisdictions.
NFIP insurance data for the City of Fresno indicates that as of March 19, 2024, there were 182 flood insurance policies in force in the City with $126,073 in total premium or total paid. This coverage represents a decline of nearly 200 policies over the last decade. Figure 10. Fresno County Flood Insurance Claims displays where the flood claims were submitted across the City of Fresno.
Additionally, the repetitive loss properties located in the City of Fresno are displayed in Figure 9. City of Fresno Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
35 Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS Figure 9. City of Fresno Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties Annex E: City of Fresno
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36 Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 10. Fresno County Flood Insurance Claims
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
37 There have been 148 historical claims for flood losses totaling $931,867.10; According to the FEMA Community Information System accessed March 19, 2024, there are two repetitive loss properties within the City of Fresno, shown in Figure 9. City of Fresno Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties. The repetitive loss properties are single family homes.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
38 POPULATION AT RISK
Using census tract population values from the 2020 US Census, the planning team estimates that the following are at risk to flooding in the City of Fresno:
100-year flood—114,159 people
500-year flood— 79,527 people
Total flood—193,686 people
Generally, within the United States, communities disproportionately at risk of flooding impacts and damage are communities placed in low-lying areas due to social and economic inequities, especially in urban settings. For example, these communities may not have ease of access to shelters during a flood event which can further increase vulnerability based on factors such as age, disability, and access to transportation.
4 CRITICAL FACILITIES AT RISK
Critical facilities are those community components that are most needed to withstand the impacts of disaster as previously described. Table 12. Critical Facilities in the 100- and 500-Year Floodplains:
City of Fresno lists the critical facilities in the City’s 100- and 500-year floodplains.
Table 12. Critical Facilities in the 100- and 500-Year Floodplains: City of Fresno Critical Facility Type 100-Year
Floodplain 500-Year Floodplain
Airport Facilities - 1
Bus Facilities - 1
Communications - 4
Electric Power Facilities - 1
EOC - 1
Fire Stations 6
Medical Care Facilities - 4
Police Stations - 5
Railway Facilities - 1
Schools - 66
Total 0 90
Source: Fresno County, HIFLD 2017
4 Ermagun, A., Smith, V. & Janatabadi, F. High urban flood risk and no shelter access disproportionally impacts vulnerable communities in the USA. Commun Earth Environ 5, 2 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01165-x Annex E: City of Fresno
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39 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INCIDENT (HIGH)
The following are the primary concerns for the City of Fresno related to hazardous materials release:
Train derailments
Kinder-Morgan pipeline
Chevron petroleum pipelines
Storage facilities
There have been 141 hazardous materials incidents from 2017-2022 that have occurred in the City of Fresno. Of the 141 incidents, there were 77 railroad non-release, 1 aircraft, 38 fixed, 8 mobile, 3 pipeline, 3 railroad, 10 storage tank, and 1 unknown sheen incident. There were 34 injuries, 24 hospitalizations, $350,000 in damages, 31 fatalities, and 395 evacuees during the time period. 5 There are 28 CalARP hazardous materials facilities located in the City of Fresno.
SEVERE WEATHER: HEAVY RAIN/THUNDERSTORM/HAIL/LIGHTNING/WIND (MEDIUM) Fresno’s prevailing winds are typically light and from the northwest. High wind conditions are occasionally created by strong weather fronts. Occasionally, there are funnel clouds of low intensity.
Past structural damage has been light, infrequent, and very limited in geographic extent. Injuries have been extremely rare. Most of this damage has occurred secondary to large trees being blown over. The City’s design wind load, the level of wind force that new structures are required to be engineered to withstand, is 70 mph.
SOIL HAZARDS: LAND SUBSIDENCE (LOW)
Despite long-term over-drafting of groundwater that has lowered the static water table under Fresno by as much as 100 feet over the past century, ground level subsidence has not been noted in the vicinity of the City (this is probably due to the geologic strata underlying the City, which features layers of clay and hardpan interleaved with sand and gravel layers).
WILDFIRE (MEDIUM)
Similar to many areas of the County, Fresno has high temperatures in the summer with low rainfall creating fire hazard conditions. There is some wildfire risk in the San Joaquin River Bluff area North of Fresno due to vegetation and steep slopes. However, the Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone outside of jurisdictional boundaries, shown in Figure 10. City of Fresno Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone. In this recent 2024 update, the City noted during the planning process that wildfires pose a higher risk which is why the risk has increased from medium to high. There have been no known significant fires that have
5 California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Spill Release Reporting, 2017 -2022, https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of- the-director/operations/response-operations/fire-rescue/hazardous-materials/spill-release-reporting/
Annex E: City of Fresno
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May 2024
40 occurred in the past several years. Additionally, there are not any critical facilities in wildfire threat zones in the City of Fresno.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
41 Source: CA Geoportal; CA-DFW; CA Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, CalFIRE ArcGIS Online Portal; CalTrans; County of Fresno - GIS
Figure 10. City of Fresno Wildfire Hazard Severity Zone Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
42 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 used a matrix of common mitigation activities to inventory which of these policies or programs were in place. The team then supplemented this inventory by reviewing additional existing policies, regulations, plans, and programs to determine if they contributed to reducing hazard-related losses.
During the plan update process, this inventory was reviewed by the jurisdictional planning representatives and Witt O’Brien’s consultant team to update information where applicable and note ways in which these capabilities have improved or expanded. 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 Fresno’s updated capabilities are summarized below. A summary of the mitigation capabilities is summarized in Table 13. City of Fresno Mitigation Capability Summary.
Table 13. City of Fresno Mitigation Capability Summary
Area Degree of Capability
Limited Moderate High
Planning and Regulatory
Capability X
Administrative and
Technical Capability X
Fiscal Capability X
Available Staff X
Political Support/Interest X
Community Support X
REGULATORY MITIGATION CAPABILITIES
Table 14. City of Fresno’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities lists regulatory mitigation capabilities, including planning and land management tools, typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in Fresno.
Annex E: City of Fresno
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43 Table 14. City of Fresno’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities
FRESNO GENERAL PLAN (ADOPTED DECEMBER 18, 2014)
The Fresno General Plan is forward-looking, comprehensive, and long-range. It supports the community’s vision to preserve the desirable qualities that make the City of Fresno an ideal place to live, work, and play. The Plan recommends strategies to address prevalent existing conditions and Tool/Program
In Place
Adopted/Updated
Under
Development Expect to
Implement Yes No Yes NO
Building Codes (please
indicate UCC or IBC +
year)
X
Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) X
Community Rating
System (CRS Program
of the NFIP)
X
Emergency
Management
Accreditation Program
(EMAP)
X X Expected
completion in 2026
Fire Code X
Firewise Community X
Floodplain
Management/Flood
Damage Prevention
Ordinance
X
Land Use/Development
Planning X
National Flood
Insurance Program
(NFIP)
X
Post Disaster
Redevelopment/Recons
truction Plan/Ordinance
X
Storm Ready X
Stormwater
Management
Plan/Ordinance
X
Subdivision
Regulations/Ordinance X
Two Weeks Ready
Unified Development
Ordinance X
Zoning Ordinance X
Annex E: City of Fresno
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44 trends that impede achieving and maintaining greater human, community, environmental, and economic health and prosperity. The Plan envisions Fresno as a vibrant, growing city, infused with a sense of heritage and community. The primary purpose of a general plan is to outline a long-range vision for the physical development of the city that reflects the aspirations of the community. Since economic, social, transportation, environmental, public facilities and services, and other outcomes are interrelated with land use and development and are important to the community, the Plan includes applicable policies related to these complementary areas as well. The Plan presents a blueprint to guide economic development initiatives, as well as needed investments in improvements to increase competitiveness and promote economic growth. The general plan includes nine state mandated elements including land use, circulation, housing, conservation, noise, open space, safety, air quality and environmental justice. Relevant elements and information to the hazard mitigation plan are outlined below.
Goal 9: Promote a city of healthy communities and improve quality of life in established neighborhoods.
o Emphasize supporting established neighborhoods in Fresno with safe, well maintained, and accessible streets, public utilities, education and job training, proximity to jobs, retail services, health care, affordable housing, youth development opportunities, open space and parks, transportation options, and opportunities for home grown businesses. Goal 12: Resolve existing public infrastructure and service deficiencies, make full use of existing infrastructure, and invest in improvements to increase competitiveness and promote economic growth.
o Emphasize the fair and necessary costs of maintaining sustainable water, sewer, streets, and other public infrastructure and service systems in rates, fees, financing and public investments to implement the General Plan. Adequately address accumulated deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure, risks to service continuity, desired standards of service to meet quality-of-life goals, and required infrastructure to support growth, economic competitiveness and business development.
Goal 16: Protect and improve public health and safety.
Some of the elements of the General Plan also contain objectives and policies relevant to protecting human health and safety (e.g., supporting objectives and policies in the Public Utilities and Services Element direct that amendments to construction and fire codes to reduce the level of risk to life and property from fire commensurate with the City’s fire suppression capabilities and that fire and police services be provided). Because the Noise and Safety Element is the portion of the General Plan most relevant to hazard mitigation, select objectives and policies are extracted and included below.
THE NOISE AND SAFETY ELEMENT
The Noise and Safety Element seeks to reduce deaths, injuries, illnesses, damage to property, and economic and social dislocation that could result from hazards. Of specific relevance to this plan, it addresses seismic and geologic conditions, flooding, hazardous materials, and emergency response.
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45 Seismic and Geologic Hazards
Table 15. Seismic and Geologic Hazards Policies
Policy
Number Policy Description
NS-2 Objective: Minimize risks of property damage and personal injury posed by geologic and seismic risks.
NS-2a Seismic Protection. Ensure seismic protection is incorporated into new and existing construction, consistent with the Fresno Municipal Code.
NS-2b
Soil Analysis Requirement. Identify areas with potential geologic and/or soils hazards, and require development in these areas to conduct a soil analysis and mitigation plan by a registered civil engineer (or engineering geologist specializing in soil geology) prior to allowing on-site drainage or disposal for wastewater, stormwater runoff, or swimming pool/spa water.
NS-2c
Landfill Areas. Require proposed land uses on or near landfill areas to be designed and maintained to comply with California Code of Regulations, Title 27, Section 21190, Post Closure Land Use.
NS-2d
Bluff Preservation Overlay Zone. Per the requirements of the Bluff Preservation Overlay Zone District and Policy POSS-7-f (Chapter 5, Parks and Open Space), the following standards shall be applicable for property located within the Bluff Preservation zone:
• Require proposed development within 300 feet of the toe of the San Joaquin River bluffs to undertake an engineering soils investigation and evaluation report that demonstrates that the site is sufficiently stable to support the proposed development, or provide mitigations to provide sufficient stability; and
• Establish a minimum setback of 30 feet from the San Joaquin River bluff edge for all buildings, structures, decks, pools and spas (which may be above or below grade), fencing, lighting, steps, etc. o An applicant may request to reduce the minimum setback to 20 feet from the bluff edge if it can be demonstrated, to the satisfaction of the City’s Building Official and the Planning Director, that the proposed building, structure, deck, pool and/or spas (which may be above or below grade), fencing, steps, etc., will meet the objectives of the Bluff Preservation Overlay Ordinance. In no case shall the setback be reduced to less than 20 feet.
Flooding Hazards
Table 16. Flooding Hazards Policies
Policy
Number Policy Description
NS-3 Objective: Minimize the risks to property, life, and the environment due to flooding and stormwater runoff hazards.
NS-3a
Stormwater Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan. Support the full implementation of the FMFCD Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan, the completion of planned flood control and drainage system facilities, and the continued maintenance of stormwater and flood water retention and conveyance facilities and capacities. Work with the FMFCD to make sure that its Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan is consistent with the General Plan.
NS-3b
Curb and Gutter Installation. Coordinate with Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District (FMFCD) to install curbing, gutters, and other drainage facilities with priority to existing neighborhoods with the greatest deficiencies and consistent with the Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan.
NS-3c Dual Use Facilities. Support multiple uses of flood control and drainage facilities as follows:
• Use, wherever practical, FMFCD facilities for groundwater management and recharge; and Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
46 Policy
Number Policy Description
• Promote recreational development of ponding basin facilities located within or near residential areas, compatible with the stormwater and groundwater recharge functions.
NS-3d
Landscaped Buffer. City will support the development of FMFCD ponding basins including the landscaping and irrigation for the top one third of the side sloped areas consistent with the FMFCD Basin Design
Criteria.
NS-3e Pollutants. Work with FMFCD to prevent and reduce the existence of urban stormwater pollutants pursuant to the requirements of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination Systems Act.
NS-3f
Flooding Emergency Response Plans. Work with responsible agencies to update emergency dam failure inundation plans, evacuation plans and other emergency response plans for designated flood- prone areas, including the San Joaquin river bottom.
NS-3g
Essential Facilities Siting Outside of Floodplains. Avoid siting emergency response and essential public facilities, such as fire and police stations, within a 100-year floodplain, unless it can be demonstrated that the facility can be safely operated and accessed during flood events.
NS-3h
Runoff Controls. Implement grading regulations and related development policies that protect area residents from flooding caused by urban runoff produced from events that exceed the capacity of the Storm Drainage and Flood Control Master Plan system of facilities. Place all structures and/or flood- proofing in a manner that does not cause floodwaters to be diverted onto adjacent property, increase flood hazards to other property, or
otherwise adversely affect other property.
NS-3i
New Development Must Mitigate Impact. Require new development to not significantly impact the existing storm drainage and flood control system by imposing conditions of approval as project mitigation, as authorized by law. As part of this process, closely coordinate and consult with the FMFCD to identify appropriate conditions that will result in mitigation acceptable and preferred by FMFCD for each project.
Commentary: The City recognizes the expertise and significant role of the FMFCD, and will give the highest deference to its recommendations for mitigation measures, consistent with applicable law.
NS-3j
National Flood Insurance Program. Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by ensuring compliance with applicable requirements. Review NFIP maps periodically to determine if areas subject to flooding have been added or removed and make adjustments to the Land Use Diagram Figure LU-1.
NS-3k
100-Year Floodplain Policy. Require developers of residential subdivisions to preserve those portions of development sites as open space that may be subject to 100-year flood events, unless the flood hazard can be substantially mitigated by development project design.
NS-3l
200-Year Floodplain Protection. Promote flood control measures that maintain natural conditions within the 200-year floodplain of rivers and streams and, to the extent possible, combine flood control, recreation, water quality, and open space functions. Discourage construction of permanent improvements that would be adversely affected by periodic floods within the 200-year floodplain, particularly in the San Joaquin river bottom.
NS-3m
Flood Risk Public Awareness. Continue public awareness programs to inform the general public and potentially affected property owners of flood hazards and potential dam failure inundation. Remind households and businesses located in flood-prone areas of opportunities to purchase flood insurance.
NS-3n Precipitation Changes. Work with FMFCD to evaluate the planned and existing stormwater conveyance system in light of possible changes to precipitation patterns in the future.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
47 Hazardous Materials
Table 17. Hazardous Materials Policies
Policy
Number Policy Description
NS-4 Minimize the risk of loss of life, injury, serious illness, and damage to property resulting from the use, transport, treatment, and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous wastes.
NS-4a Processing and Storage. Require safe processing and storage of hazardous materials, consistent with the California Building Code and the Uniform Fire Code, as adopted by the City.
NS-4b
Coordination. Maintain a close liaison with the Fresno County Environmental Health Department, Cal-EPA Division of Toxics, and the State Office of Emergency Services to assist in developing and maintaining hazardous material business plans, inventory statements, risk management prevention plans, and
contingency/emergency response action plans.
NS-4c
Soil and Groundwater Contamination Reports. Require an investigation of potential soil or groundwater contamination whenever justified by past site uses. Require appropriate mitigation as a condition of project approval in the event soil or groundwater contamination is identified or could be encountered during site development.
NS-4d
Site Identification. Continue to aid federal, State, and County agencies in the identification and mapping of waste disposal sites (including abandoned waste sites), and to assist in the survey of the kinds, amounts, and locations of hazardous wastes.
NS-4e
Compliance with County Program. Require that the production, use, storage, disposal, and transport of hazardous materials conform to the standards and procedures established by the County Division of Environmental Health. Require compliance with the County’s Hazardous Waste Generator Program, including the submittal and implementation of a Hazardous Materials Business Plan, when applicable.
NS-4f
Hazardous Materials Facilities. Require facilities that handle hazardous materials or hazardous wastes to be designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with applicable hazardous materials and waste management laws and regulations.
NS-4g
Hazmat Response. Include policies and procedures appropriate to hazardous materials in the City’s disaster and emergency response preparedness and planning, coordinating with implementation of Fresno County’s Hazardous Materials Incident Response Plan.
NS-4g
Hazmat Response. Include policies and procedures appropriate to hazardous materials in the City’s disaster and emergency response preparedness and planning, coordinating with implementation of Fresno County’s Hazardous Materials Incident Response Plan.
NS-4h Household Collection. Continue to support and assist with Fresno County’s special household hazardous waste collection activities, to reduce the amount of this material being improperly discarded.
NS-4i Public Information. Continue to assist in providing information to the public on hazardous materials.
Emergency Response
Table 18. Emergency Response Policies
Policy
Number Policy Description
NS-6 Objective: Foster an efficient and coordinated response to emergencies and natural disasters.
NS-6a County Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan. Adopt and implement the Fresno County Multi- Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan and City of Fresno Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
48 Policy
Number Policy Description
Commentary: The federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires that cities, counties, and special districts have a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to be eligible to receive FEMA hazard mitigation funds.
Cities and counties can adopt and use all or part of a regional multi-jurisdictional plan, such as the one prepared by Fresno County, in lieu of
preparing all or part of a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
NS-6b Disaster Response Coordination. Maintain coordination with other local, State, and Federal agencies to provide coordinated disaster response.
NS-6c
Emergency Operations Plan. Update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan periodically, using a whole community approach which integrates considerations for People with access and functional needs in all aspects of planning.
NS-6d
Evacuation Planning. Maintain an emergency evacuation plan in consultation with the Police and Fire Departments and other emergency service providers, which shows potential evacuation routes and a list of emergency shelters to be used in case of catastrophic emergencies.
Commentary: The evacuation plan will be flexible in order to consider many scenarios and multiple modes of transportation beyond private automobiles. It will provide special provisions for disadvantaged populations, such as those with physical disabilities or those with low or very low incomes, and for areas with fewer resources
through neighborhood emergency preparedness programs.
NS-6e
Critical Use Facilities. Ensure critical use facilities (e.g. City Hall, police and fire stations, schools, hospitals, public assembly facilities, transportation services) and other structures that are important to protecting health and safety in the community remain operational during an emergency. • Site and design these facilities to minimize their exposure and susceptibility to flooding, seismic and geological effects, fire, and explosions.
• Work with the owners and operators of critical use facilities to ensure they can provide alternate sources
of electricity, water, and sewerage in the event that regular utilities are interrupted in a disaster.
NS-6f Emergency Vehicle Access. Require adequate access for emergency vehicles in all new development, including adequate widths, turning radii, hard standing areas, and vertical clearance.
NS-6g
Emergency Preparedness Public Awareness Programs. Continue to conduct programs to inform the general public, including people with access and functional needs, of the City’s emergency preparedness and disaster response procedures.
FRESNO FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE
The City of Fresno’s Flood Plain Ordinance was revised in the late 1990s and formally adopted by the Fresno City Council on September 20, 2005. (In late 2007, the Fresno Municipal Code was republished with its chapters somewhat reorganized. There was no change in the text of the Flood Plain Ordinance at that time, but due to the reorganization of its content, its most recent adoption effective date is January 17, 2008.) The Fresno Flood Plain Ordinance is Article 6 of Chapter 11 of the Fresno Municipal Code.
The purpose of this ordinance is 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:
Protect human life and health;
Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects; Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
49 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 flood hazard; and Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions.
In order to accomplish its purposes, the ordinance includes the following methods and provisions:
Restrict or prohibit uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities Require that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction Control filling, grading, dredging, and other development which may increase flood damage Prevent or regulate the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert flood water or which may increase flood hazards in other areas
Control the alteration of natural flood plains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters
This ordinance applies to all areas of special flood hazards within the jurisdiction of the City as identified by FEMA’s Flood Insurance Study for Fresno County, California and incorporated areas dated September 30, 2005, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and all subsequent amendments and/or revisions. It appoints the building official to administer, implement, and enforce the ordinance by granting or denying development permits in accord with its provisions.
This ordinance includes the following standards of construction related to special flood hazard areas:
Anchoring
Construction materials and methods
Elevation and floodproofing
Residential construction
Nonresidential construction
Flood venting
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
50 Standards for utilities
Standards for subdivisions
Standards for manufactured homes
Standards for recreational vehicles
Floodways
Standards for storage of materials and equipment
In conjunction with Fresno’s Drainage Fee Ordinance (Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 12, Article 19), which requires local grading and development to conform to the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District Master Drainage Plan and to provide proportionate shares of drainage infrastructure, the Fresno Flood Plain Ordinance and its preceding Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance have reduced flood damage losses in the City.
NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM/COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM The City of Fresno joined the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on December 1, 1982. It has been a member of the Community Rating System (CRS) since October 1, 1992. The City’s Floodplain Administrator duties are assigned to the building official. The Building and Safety Division of the Planning and Development Department works to improve the City’s CRS rating, which determines the price paid for flood insurance policies issued in the jurisdiction. The rating is based on detailed biannual audits conducted by FEMA and/or a designee agency (currently, the California Department of Water Resources). The primary means of improving and maintaining a good CRS rating is through administration of the Fresno Flood Plain Ordinance. As part of its efforts to improve its community rating, the City of Fresno has hosted periodic FEMA Region IX NFIP/CRS training.
According to the FEMA Community Status Book Report, accessed on March 27, 2024, the City’s current CRS rating is Class 8, which includes a 10 percent SFHA discount and 0.05 percent Non-SFHA discount.
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER BLUFF PRESERVATION ORDINANCE, 1980
After an interagency San Joaquin River Reconnaissance Plan was completed in the late 1970s, the City of Fresno adopted the San Joaquin River Bluff Specific Plan to preserve this important open space and habitat feature and to safeguard the bluff face, which is the most unstable geologic feature in the City. The San Joaquin River Bluff Specific Plan was later subsumed by the 1988 Bullard Community Plan, which carried forward protective policies for this area of Fresno.
The regulation of land use, development, and grading in this portion of Fresno is ongoing pursuant to the Bluff Preservation Ordinance. This ordinance, part of the City’s zoning regulations, delineates an overlay zone district along the river bluff (the Bluff Preservation Overlay District), established allowable and prohibited land uses, and set forth conditions and requirements for using or modifying property in the district. The regulations of the district are deemed to be necessary for the preservation of the special qualities of the bluffs and for the protection of the health, safety, and general welfare of owners and users of property in the area.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
51 The Bluff Preservation Ordinance is administered by the Fresno Development and Resource Management Department through its special permit process and grading plan checks. Anyone applying for a building permit is required to submit a site plan review with accompanying soil investigation and evaluation report (prepared by an appropriately licensed professional engineer or registered geologist).
The Department’s Code Enforcement Division also conducts periodic surveillance of bluff properties for grading and construction done without permits and institutes abatement actions when these conditions are discovered.
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL INCIDENT SAFEGUARDS
The Fresno Fire Department works with Fresno County Environmental Health to review hazardous material business plans that detail flammable, explosive, toxic, and otherwise hazardous materials used by businesses in the City. The Fire Department has its own permitting requirement for liquid and gaseous fuel tanks to ensure that they are installed and maintained safely. The City’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit (housed in a City fire station) maintains the capability to quickly characterize material releases and spills, to evaluate risks to life and property, and to implement appropriate controls and evacuation measures.
FIRE PREVENTION POLICY
The City of Fresno has some of the most progressive and effective fire prevention policies and regulations in the nation relating to water supply (fire flow) required for development, ingress and egress from developed buildings and subdivisions, on-site automatic fire suppression systems (sprinkler and on-site private hydrants), building addressing to facilitate rapid emergency response, marking of unsafe buildings (those older structures with hazardous conditions or a lack of water supply), and instant aid/mutual aid with adjacent fire departments belonging to Fresno County special districts and the City of Clovis.
In addition to its extensive network of well-trained and well-equipped firefighting stations, the Fresno Fire Department has a Fire Prevention Bureau, under supervision of the City’s fire marshal, to administer regulations adopted and referenced by the Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 6, Article 5 relating to fire prevention. The Fire Prevention Bureau carries out these responsibilities by conducting routine inspections of all public and commercial buildings, performing detailed development permit and construction plan checks, and investigating arson.
Another component of the City’s overall fire protection program is the administration of its public nuisance ordinances to require properties to be kept clean and free of flammable debris and to annually abate weeds and overgrown vegetation before these materials can dry out in the spring to pose a wildfire hazard (Fresno Municipal Code Chapter 10, Article 6 relating to public nuisance abatement).
The Planning and Development Department Code Enforcement Division and Department of Public Utilities Community Sanitation Division coordinate their efforts to enforce the nuisance abatement regulations and provide cleanup services when property owners do not take care of matters themselves.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
52 PLANNING MITIGATION CAPABILITIES
Table 19. City of Fresno Planning Capabilities identifies the plans related to mitigation and loss prevention in Fresno.
Table 19. City of Fresno Planning Capabilities
Regulatory Tool In Place
Yes/No
Under Development
Yes/No Comments
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) Yes Yes
Climate Resiliency or
Adaptation Plan No
Community Wildfire Protection
Plan (CWPP) No
Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan Yes Yes
Public safety SOPs cover this
topic as well as the EOP for the
City. Expected completion 2024
Comprehensive Land Use Plan
(or General, Master, or Growth
Management Plan)
Yes Yes Expected completion 12/2024
Continuity of Operations Plan
(COOP) No
Disaster Recovery Plan No
Economic Development Plan Yes Yes Under review for update Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP) Yes Yes Adopted in 2015 and under
review for update
Evacuation Plan No
Flood Response Plan No
Floodplain Management
Plan/Flood Mitigation Plan No
Hazard Mitigation Plan No
Historic Preservation Plan No
Natural Resources Protection
Plan (NRPP) No
Open Space Management Plan
(Parks and Rec/Greenway Plan) Yes
Threat Hazard Identification and
Risk Assessment Yes Listed in EOP
CITY OF FRESNO EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN, UPDATED 2015
The City of Fresno Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) addresses the planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, excessive heat/cold, power outages, and national security emergencies in or affecting the City of Fresno. The Plan, which was updated in 2015, does the following:
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
53 Establishes the emergency management organization required to mitigate any significant emergency or disaster affecting the City of Fresno.
Identifies the policies, responsibilities, and procedures required to protect the health and safety of City communities, public and private property, and the environment from natural or technological disasters.
Establishes the operational concepts and procedures associated with initial response operations to emergencies, the extended response operations, and the recovery process.
The EOP is designed to establish the framework for implementation of the California Standardized Emergency Management System/National Incident Management System for the City of Fresno, which is located within the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Mutual Aid Region V. It is intended to facilitate multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional coordination, particularly between the City of Fresno and the Fresno County Operational Area, including special districts and state agencies, in emergency operations. This plan will be used in conjunction with the Fresno County EOP and the State of California Emergency Plan. The plan is designed to guide the reader or user through each phase of an emergency: preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
OTHER PLANS AND POLICIES
Other hazard mitigation-related policies and plans in place in and observed by the City of Fresno include the following:
California Code of Regulations Title 23 administrative law for development and use of land in designated floodway areas along the San Joaquin River administered by the Central Valley Flood Protection Board, staffed by the California Department of Water Resources. Standards for constructing and maintaining drainage basins and ponds to prevent mosquito breeding and to provide for mosquito control district access for inspection and abatement activities (jointly promulgated by the Planning and Development Department and Public Works Department in fall of 2005).
Dam failure inundation plans prepared and administered by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District, Southern California Edison, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
The California Environmental Quality Act, overseen by the Fresno City Attorney’s Office and administered by several City departments, requires consideration of health and safety impacts as they may relate to projects, which are defined as any action that may result in a change in the physical environment and that would include public facilities, and private development, and even adoption/amendment of land use plans and ordinances. An analysis of every project is conducted by the appropriate City department (the Development and Resource Management Department does the bulk of these analyses). Inquiries regarding project sites and features are distributed to departments and outside agencies that may have knowledge of, or which may regulate, aspects of the proposed project. The information obtained from these requests for comment and from other staff research is compiled into an informational document for decision-makers and the public. The Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
54 information is also used to develop a list of mitigation actions to reduce or abate potential adverse impacts of the project. For those projects which may involve federal funds or require federal approvals, a parallel National Environmental Policy Act assessment is also prepared by the City. The Development and Resource Management Department administers regulations in the California Building Code and in Uniform Electrical, Plumbing, and Mechanical Codes as those codes are modified through adoption by the state and City. Plan check and inspection activities of the Department ensure structural soundness and compliance with seismic and other regulations.
ADMINISTRATIVE/TECHNICAL MITIGATION CAPABILITIES
Table 20. City of Fresno’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation identifies the personnel responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in Fresno.
Table 20. City of Fresno’s Administrative and Technical Mitigation Staff and Personnel
Resources Yes No
Department or
Single Staff
Member
Comments
Emergency Manager X City Manager
Engineers or professionals
trained in construction
practices related to buildings
and/or infrastructure
X
Public Works
Director/City
Engineering Firm
Engineers are contracted
Fiscal Management or
Procurement Specialists X Finance
Department
Floodplain Manager X
Land Surveyors X
Land
Use/Management/Development
Planning
X City Planning Firm Planning firm contracted
Planners or engineers with an
understanding of natural
and/or human-caused hazards
X
Resource Development Staff
or Grant-writing X
Scientists familiar with the
hazards of the community X
Staff experienced with
Geographic Information
Systems (GIS)
X
Staff with education or
expertise to assess the
community’s vulnerability to
hazards
X
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
55 FISCAL MITIGATION CAPABILITIES
Table 21. City of Fresno's Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities identifies financial tools or resources that the City could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.
Table 21. City of Fresno's Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities Staff or
Personnel
Resource
Never Used Previously
Used Currently Used Comments
Capital
Improvement
Programming
X
Community
Development Block
Grants (CDBG)
X
Special Purpose
Taxes (or taxing
districts)
X
Gas/Electric Utility
Fee X
Water/Sewer Fees X
Stormwater Utility
Fees X
Development
Impact Fees X
General Obligation,
revenue, and/or
Special Tax Bonds
X
Partnering
Agreements or
Intergovernmental
Agreements
X
FEMA Hazard
Mitigation
Assistance Grants
(HMGP, FMA, PDM)
X
Homeland Security
Grants (HSGP) X
USDA Rural
Development
Agency Grants
X
US Economic
Development
Administration
Grants
X
Infrastructure
Investment and
Jobs Act (IIJA)
X
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
56 MITIGATION OUTREACH AND PARTNERSHIPS
The Fresno Department of Public Utilities, in conjunction with other agencies, provides water conservation and stormwater quality protection public information programs. The Fire Department provides personal preparedness outreach for heat and freeze emergencies and shelter-in-place information for hazardous materials emergencies. Additionally, the City has developed public service announcements for smoke detector battery life, canal safety, and fireworks safety.
The City’s Joint Information System disseminates information in Spanish, and the City can obtain translation services for other languages when necessary. A Joint Information Center plan is an annex to the City of Fresno Emergency Operations Plan and provides comprehensive guidance for early warning notification in all languages and specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) community.
Preparedness Exercises afford the opportunity to include the City of Fresno ADA Committee. Members of the committee and volunteers from the ADA community role play for realistic first responder training.
OTHER MITIGATION EFFORTS
The City is a certified StormReady community through the National Weather Service. The Fire Department, Police Department, and Solid Waste Division are nationally accredited. The City has installed security systems for the wastewater treatment facility and for its surface water treatment plant. Generators are installed in critical groundwater pumping stations and these facilities are secured.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENHANCEMENT
Based on the capabilities assessment, the City of Fresno has several existing mechanisms in place that already help to mitigate hazards. These capabilities remain relevant as priorities set forth in the prior hazard mitigation plan and are unchanged. In addition to these existing capabilities, there are also opportunities for the City to expand or improve on these policies and programs to 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 Fresno will lead to more informed staff members who can better communicate this information to the public. In addition, the City could work to improve the CRS rating through additional floodplain management program enhancements. This could further lower the cost of flood insurance for residents.
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
57 MITIGATION STRATEGY
MITIGATION GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The City of Fresno adopts the hazard mitigation goals and objectives developed by the HMPC and described in Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy.
INCORPORATION INTO EXISTING PLANNING MECHANISMS
The City of Fresno has not identified any specific mechanisms into which information from the 2018 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan was incorporated. 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 Public Works Department may utilize the hazard information when implementing Capital Improvement projects and the Planning and Development Department may utilize the hazard information when reviewing a site plan or other type of development applications. The City will also incorporate this LHMP into the Safety Element of their General Plan, as recommended by Assembly Bill (AB) 2140.
As noted in Chapter 7 Plan Implementation, the HMPC representatives from Fresno 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 HMPC plan review meeting.
CONTINUED COMPLIANCE WITH THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM In addition to the mitigation actions identified herein the City will continue to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program as specified in General Plan Policy NS-3-j:
“National Flood Insurance Program. Continue to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.”
MITIGATION ACTIONS
The planning team for the City of Fresno identified and prioritized the following mitigation actions based on the risk assessment. Background information as well as information on how each action will be implemented and administered, such as ideas for implementation, responsible office, partners, potential funding, estimated cost, and schedule are also included.
In addition to implementing the mitigation actions below the City of Fresno will be participating in the county-wide, multi-jurisdictional action of developing and conducting a multi-hazard seasonal public awareness program. The county-wide project will be led by the County in partnership with all municipalities and special districts. The City agrees to help disseminate information on hazards provided by the County. More information on the action can be found in the base plan Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy (see the Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Actions section, Action #1. Develop and Conduct a Multi-Hazard Seasonal Public Awareness Program).
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
58 While epidemics and pandemics are ranked as high risk, there are no mitigations actions listed below.
Mitigation, planning, and preparedness activities are being led by the Fresno County Department of Health.
1. ESTABLISH POST-DISASTER ACTION PLAN FOR CITY CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN
Hazard(s) Addressed: Multi-Hazard: dam failure, earthquake, land subsidence, flood, severe weather, wildfire, hazardous materials
Issue/Background: Establish a post-disaster action plan to be part of the City of Fresno Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) that will include the following elements:
Procedures for public information
Post-disaster damage assessment
Grant writing
Code enforcement
Redundant operations
The plan will also include annexes from local businesses and large employers to improve economic and employment recovery. The plan will also identify a mechanism for the City to help businesses without COOPs develop a COOP to be incorporated, as an annex, into the City’s Emergency Operations Plan.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: City of Fresno Emergency Preparedness Officer Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $150,000
Potential Funding: General Fund, HMGP (if part of HMP update) Benefits (Avoided Losses): This will improve response/recovery during an event through pre- planning. A City COOP and local business COOPs will reduce the impact of a disaster to the local economy and employment.
Schedule: 5 years
Status: 2009 project, implementation in progress
2. IMPROVE THE CITY’S CAPABILITIES FOR SHELTERING ANIMALS IN A DISASTER
Hazard(s) Addressed: Multi-Hazard: dam failure, earthquake, flood, severe weather, wildfire, hazardous materials
Issue/Background: During a disaster, not only do people need to be rescued, but their pets do also.
Hurricane Katrina showed the nation that shelters do not typically allow pets, so pets may be left behind when their owners evacuate. The care of the animals left behind falls to local animal shelters. Currently, Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
59 the SPCA Animal Shelter does not have the supplies to handle a large scale animal emergency. The City has approximately 18,000 licensed dogs. If a disaster occurred, they would only be able to house a small percentage of them. Overcrowding of animals usually causes diseases and loss of animal life.
Purchasing new cages would alleviate some of the overcrowding created by a disaster.
Other Alternatives: Ask other agencies for supplies if they have them available.
Responsible Office: City of Fresno Emergency Preparedness Officer working alongside local NGOs Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $50,000
Potential Funding: General fund
Benefits (Avoided Losses): This will cut down on the spread of disease and animal loss during an emergency or disaster.
Schedule: 1-3 years
Status: 2009 project, implementation in progress. Working with local NGO to provide concurrent shelter for small animals and people
3. TRAIN AND CERTIFY CITY INSPECTORS TO CONDUCT POST-DISASTER DAMAGE
ASSESSMENT
Hazard(s) Addressed: Multi-Hazard: dam failure, earthquake, flood, severe weather, wildfire, hazardous materials
Issue/Background: City inspectors play a vital role in post-disaster building assessment and damage assessment. Pre-training and certification is vital in response and recovery to reduce loss of life, relocate populations, and ensure the rebuilding of local economies.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: City of Fresno Emergency Preparedness Officer and Planning and Development Department
Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Cost Estimate: $250,000
Potential Funding: General Fund, BRIC, FMA
Benefits (Avoided Losses): This will improve response/recovery during an event through pre- training and certification of individuals responsible for performing assessment of structures and facilities impacted by disasters. Certification will also allow qualified staff to mobilize with the State of California Office of Emergency Services (Region 5) Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.
Schedule: 5 years
Status: 2009 project, implementation not yet started
Annex E: City of Fresno
2024 Fresno County Hazard Mitigation Plan
May 2024
60 4. IMPLEMENT A FLOOD AWARENESS PROGRAM FOR THE PUBLIC
Hazard(s) Addressed: Flood
Issue/Background: The City needs a program to educate flood-prone property owners along the San Joaquin River and in frequent annual flooding areas about the flood threat and how best to prepare, mitigate, and insure their properties.
Other Alternatives: No action
Responsible Office: City of Fresno Emergency Preparedness Officer, Planning and Development Department, and Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Cost Estimate: $15,000/year
Potential Funding: General fund, BRIC, FMA, HMGP, HMGP Post Fire Benefits (Avoided Losses): This will prevent the loss of human life and economic and property losses.