Agenda packet — Laguna Hills City Council, February 25, 2025 (part 2 of 3)

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Surface faulting is the differential movement of two sides of a fracture, where the ground breaks apart. The length, width, and displacement of the ground characterize surface faults, which occur based on the type of underlying fault.

Faults occur at the boundaries between large sections of the earth’s surface, called tectonic plates. Most of California sits on the North American plate, but coastal areas (including Laguna Hills) are on the Pacific plate. The San Andreas Fault is the main boundary between North American and Pacific plates, but other fault lines can be found up to 200 miles away. The presence of the San Andreas Fault and other faults is the reason for California’s frequent seismic shaking and other tectonic activity.

Landslides, Mudflows, and Slope Instability
Areas with steep slopes and valleys are potentially subject to instability. These areas may be prone to hazards such as rock falls, slope failures, and debris flows. While earthquakes can cause landslides, other causes can include erosion, soil saturation, excess weight from accumulation of rain or snow, or man-made structures weakening slopes.

When a hillside or other slope becomes unstable, the soil and rocks that make up the slope slide toward the bottom. Landslides are often sudden, although some occur very slowly over a long period of time. Loose and fractured materials are more likely to slide than compact materials or solid rock, and steep slopes are at greater risk than gentle rises. Areas that have been recently burned by wildfires are more susceptible to sliding because the fire destroys the plant cover that helps stabilize slopes.

Regardless of the cause or specific form, a landslide can damage or destroy structures built on the sliding material or in its path. Underground infrastructure, such as pipelines or telecommunication lines, may be severed during a landslide. This could lead to infrastructure-induced flooding if water pipes are broken. In addition to property damage, landslides can crush or bury people, creating a risk of serious injury or death.

Liquefaction
Liquefaction is a phenomenon that occurs when ground shaking causes saturated soils, primarily clay-free deposits such as sand or silt, to lose strength and act like a viscous fluid.

Soils that are poorly consolidated and combine with groundwater during an earthquake lose theirshearstrengthand take on the properties ofa heavy liquid. Certain soils are more susceptible to liquefaction, particularly younger and looser sediment closer to the water table. According to FEMA, liquefaction causes three types of ground failure, as described below (FEMA, 1997):

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 Lateral spreads involve the lateral movement of large blocks of soil as a result of liquefaction of an underlying layer. They generally develop on gentle slopes, most commonly between 0.3 and 3 degrees. Horizontal movements commonly are as much as 10 to 15 feet. However, where slopes are particularly favorable, and the duration of ground shaking is long, lateral movement may be as much as 100 to 150 feet. Lateral spread usually breaks up internally, forming numerous fissures and scarps.
 Flow failures consist of liquefied soil or blocks of intact material riding on a layer of liquefied soil and are the most catastrophic type of ground failure caused by liquefaction. They commonly move several feet and up to dozens of miles under certain conditions. Flow failures usually form in loose saturated sands or silts on slopes greater than three degrees.
 Loss of bearing strength occurs when the soil supporting buildings or other structures liquefies. When large deformations occur, structures settle and tip. The general subsurface geometry required for liquefaction-caused bearing failures is a layer of saturated, cohesionless soil that extends from near the ground surface to a depth equal to about the width of the building.

LOCATION AND EXTENT
Surface Faulting and Ground Motion
The City is located within the southern California region, known to be seismically active.

There are no known active faults within the City of Laguna Hills; the San Joaquin Hills thrust fault trends northwest/southeast to the east of the City. However, the major regional faults likely to generate significant earthquakes of a magnitude of seven or higher are the San Andreas, San Jacinto, Elsinore-Whittier, and Newport-Inglewood faults. The NewportInglewood Fault Zone is the nearest major active fault and lies approximately three miles to the southwest of Laguna Hills. The San Joaquin Hills fault that underlies the City is believed to be capable of a large local earthquake, but is thought to be inactive and not zoned under the State’s Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zone Act.

In Laguna Hills, the chance of an earthquake leading to surface faulting hazards is minimal, but both “active” faults and “potentially active” faults should not be discounted as sources of potential seismic harm. Due to the absence of active faults in the City, the risk of damage from surface faulting during an earthquake is limited. In addition, no faults within or near the City are within State of California-established Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones, which are subject to special land use controls and building standards.

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Southern California as a whole is subject to potential ground shaking in the event of an earthquake. Ground shaking can result in extensive structural damage, injury, and death.

Ground shaking would be particularly damaging to residential buildings constructed of wood or reinforced masonry construction, and to mobile homes. Other buildings that do not typically perform well in earthquakes are soft-story buildings. These types of buildings have a story (typically the first floor) that lacks adequate strength or toughness due to too few shear walls.

Intensity and Magnitude
Earthquake ground shaking is generally expressed in terms of intensity and magnitude.

Several scales may be used to measure the strength or intensity of an earthquake.

Magnitude scales, like the moment magnitude (Mw), measure the size of the earthquake at its source. An earthquake event has a single magnitude; however, the degree of ground shaking that the earthquake causes varies from place to place based on distance, type of surface material, and other factors. Figure 4-6, Earthquake Shaking Potential, shows the potential for the City to experience earthquake ground shaking. As shown, the entire City is identified as having lower-to-moderate ground shaking potential.

In contrast to magnitude, other scales describe earthquake intensity, which can vary depending on distance from earthquake epicenter and local characteristics. The Modified Mercalli intensity scale expresses earthquake intensity experienced at a particular location on a scale of increasing levels of intensity that range from imperceptible shaking to catastrophic destruction. It does not have a mathematical basis; instead, it is an arbitrary ranking based on observed effects. The level of intensity assigned to a specific location is a more meaningful measure of severity to the nonscientist than the magnitude because intensity refers to the effects actually experienced. Table 4-8, The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, lists abbreviated descriptions of the Modified Mercalli intensity levels.

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TABLE 4-8: THE MODIFIED MERCALLI INTENSITY SCALE
Intensity Shaking Description/Damage
I Not Felt Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.

II Weak Felt only be few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.

III Weak Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.

IV Light Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened. Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.

V Moderate Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows broken. Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum
clocks may stop.

VI Strong Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of fallen plaster. Damage slight.

VII Very Strong Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.

VIII Severe Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable damage in ordinary substantial buildings with partial collapse.

Damage great in poorly built structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy furniture overturned.

IX Violent Damage considerable in specifically designed structures; well-designed frame structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in substantial buildings, with partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations.

X Extreme Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.

Source: USGS, The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquakehazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale?qt-science_center_objects=0#qtscience_center_objects, accessed November 16, 2021.

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Figure 4-6. Earthquake Shaking Potential
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City of Laguna Hills
Other Incorporated Area
!( Critical Facility
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Sources: Orange County GIS; City of Laguna Hills; USGS NHD; CGS Information Warehouse Map Sheet 48, 2016. Map date: March 9, 2022. 0 O
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Increasing Potential
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Landslides, Mudflows, and Slope Instability
According to the County of Orange and Orange County Fire Authority Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, locations at risk from landslides or debris flows (mudflows) include areas with one or more of the following conditions:
 On or close to steep hills.
 Steep road-cuts or excavations.
 Existing landslides or places of known historic landslides (such sites often have tilted power lines, trees tilted in various directions, cracks in the ground, and irregularsurfaced ground).  Steep areas where surface runoff is channeled, such as below culverts, V-shaped valleys, canyon bottoms, and steep stream channels.
 Fan-shaped areas of sediment and boulder accumulation at the outlets of canyons.
 Canyon areas below hillside and mountains that have recently (within 1-6 years) been subjected to a wildland fire.

The topography of Laguna Hills includes several hills and valleys and therefore has the potential for slope instability and landslides. According to the General Plan Safety Element, slopes steeper than 25 degrees (approximately 2:1) are potentially subject to instability. Such areas may be prone to hazards such as surficial failures, mudflows, debris flows, rock falls, soil creep, and erosion. Failures of human-made slopes could also occur in some of the previously developed areas of the City. In addition, wildfires can destabilize hillsides and create hydrophobic soils, leading to an increased potential of landslides and debris flows. The potential for earthquake-induced landslides in hillside terrain is also present. Areas of known landslides or areas generally susceptible to landslides and slope instability within Laguna Hills have been identified and mapped by the California Geological Survey (CGS); refer to Figure 4-7, Landslide Hazard Zones.

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Figure 4-7. Landslide Hazard Zones
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City of Laguna Hills
Other Incorporated
Landslide Hazard Zones
!( Critical Facility
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Sources: Orange County GIS; City of Laguna Hills; USGS NHD; CGS Information Warehouse Seismic Regulatory Maps. Map date: March 9, 2022. 0 O
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Landslides and mudflows have different predictability and velocity levels depending upon the nature and location of the event. Slow landslides may damage structures and infrastructure and are difficult to stabilize due to their large size. However, slow landslides allow people to evacuate before there is the danger of loss of life. Landslides and mudflows with high velocity can destroy structures or other lifeline utilities and can cause significant loss of life or injury. The severity of a landslide is often measured by the amount of material that slides (e.g., in cubic feet) (Highland & Bobrowsky, 2008). Mudflows tend to be more fluid and because they flow down a stream or creek, they can extend beyond the community in which they originated. Mudflows can occur suddenly without time for adequate warning and reach 100 miles per hour. Monitoring of weather conditions and understanding historic fire conditions within the area can help to identify conditions in which mudflows are likely.

Liquefaction
Liquefaction generally occurs within areas that have high groundwater (less than 20 to 30 feet below the surface), loose sandy alluvial deposits (usually of recent age), and the potential for significant ground shaking. Portions of the City occupied by alluvial valleys havethesecharacteristics. Liquefaction susceptibility is located in the northern portion of the City in drainages south of Lake Forest Drive and along Ridge Route Drive; Aliso Creek (Laguna Hills Mall area) and tributaries to the south (including Alicia Parkway); Sulphur Creek and a tributary; and Oso Creek along southbound Interstate 5 (I-5); refer to Figure 4-8, Liquefaction Hazard Zones. Liquefaction zones identify areas where the potential for liquefaction is relatively high, and in the event of development, would require detailed site-specific geotechnical investigations. Incorporating proper geotechnical engineering techniques in development projects within these areas can reduce the risks associated with seismic hazards to people and property.

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Figure 4-8. Liquefaction Hazard Zones
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City of Laguna Hills
Other Incorporated Area
Liquefaction Hazard Zone
!( Critical Facility
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Sources: Orange County GIS; City of Laguna Hills; USGS NHD; CGS Information Warehouse Seismic Regulatory Maps. Map date: March 9, 2022. 0 O
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PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
As discussed above, a variety of faults are located near the City of Laguna Hills.

Earthquakes of low to moderate magnitude have occurred infrequently in the region around the City based on instrumental recordings. Table 4-9, Major Earthquake Faults of Particular Concern, identifies faults of concern and last major ruptures.

TABLE 4-9: MAJOR EARTHQUAKE FAULTS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN Fault Name
Type of Faulting Last Major Rupture Slip Rate (mm/year) Interval Between
Major Ruptures
Probable
Magnitudes
Elsinore
Right-lateral strike-slip
May 15, 1910
Magnitude 6.0
(no surface rupture)
Roughly

4.0 Roughly 250
years

6.5–7.5
Newport-Inglewood
Right-lateral; local
reverse slip
March 10, 1933
Magnitude 6.4
(no surface rupture)

0.6 Unknown 6.0–7.4
San Andreas
Right lateral strike-slip
April 18, 1906
Magnitude 7.9
20 to 35 Varies; between
20 and 300 years

6.8–8.0
San Jacinto
Right-lateral strike-slip;
minor right-reverse
April 9, 1968
Magnitude 6.5
7 to 17 Varies; between
100 and 300
years

6.5–7.5
San Joaquin Hills
Blind thrust
Unknown; potentially
1855

0.42 to 0.79 Unknown >7.0
Source: Southern California Earthquake Center, Significant Earthquakes and Faults, http://scedc.caltech.edu/significant/fault-index.html, accessed February 6, 2019. Grant, Lisa B. et al, Coastal Uplift of the San Joaquin Hills, Southern Los Angeles Basin, California, by a Large Earthquake since A.D. 1635, Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Volume 92, No. 2, pp 590–599, March 2002.

Table 4-10, Significant Historical Earthquakes in Southern California, identifies major earthquakes that have occurred in southern California. Several of these earthquakes occurred prior to the City’s incorporation in 1991. The Northridge Earthquake and the Whittier Narrows Earthquake both resulted in major disaster declarations from the federal government, which included Orange County as a designated area (FEMA, 2020).

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TABLE 4-10: SIGNIFICANT HISTORICAL EARTHQUAKES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Earthquake Name Year Estimated Magnitude
Wrightwood 1812 7.5
Los Angeles 1855 6.0
San Bernardino 1858 6.0
Elsinore 1910 6.0
San Jacinto 1918 6.8
North San Jacinto 1923 6.3
Long Beach 1933 6.4
San Fernando 1971 6.5
Whittier Narrows 1987 5.8
Newport Beach 1989 4.7
Big Bear 1992 6.5
Landers 1992 7.2
Northridge 1994 6.7
Chino Hills 2008 5.4
Ridgecrest 2019 7.1
Source: Southern California Earthquake Data Center, Significant Earthquakes and Faults, http://scedc.caltech.edu/significant/index.html, accessed March 4, 2022 and California Department of Conservation, Big California Earthquakes, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/earthquakes/significant, accessed March 24, 2023.

The California Geological Survey does not identify any previous instances of liquefaction within the City limits (California Department of Conservation, 2001). The City is located within the San Juan Capistrano and Lake Forest Quadrangles. A review of the Seismic Hazard Zone Report for the San Juan Capistrano Quadrangle Hazard indicates small areas of ground failures from liquefaction are noted to have been found during development projects in the City of Laguna Niguel. Specific locations, type of ground failure, or reasons why these ground failures are attributed to liquefaction were not identified. Aside from the above-mentioned suggestion there are no areas of historic or paleoseismic liquefaction documented in the larger San Juan Capistrano Quadrangle.

Further, no previous instances of liquefaction areas within the Lake Forest Quadrangle have been identified (California Department of Conservation, 2000).

Most recently, southern California experienced ground shaking during an earthquake on June 5, 2021 with an epicenter seven miles west of Calipatria (Imperial County, California). The local magnitude of the earthquake was 5.3 and included a series of foreshocks and aftershocks. Minor ground shaking was experienced in Laguna Hills, and no damage in the City was reported (USGS, 2022).

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PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
Laguna Hills is in a known seismically active area, and thus the probability for future seismic hazard occurrences is considered high. Given the significant seismic shaking events in the region, it is certain that such events will continue. The southern California region has many fault lines (including major faults), and it is almost inevitable that a regional fault line will rupture in the foreseeable future and cause a major seismic shaking event. The USGS Uniform Earthquake Rupture Forecast Version 3 released in 2017 provides a perspective of the likelihood each California region will experience a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake in the next 30 years in Orange County; refer to Table 4-11, Likelihood of Earthquakes Occurring in the Next 30 Years.

TABLE 4-11 LIKELIHOOD OF EARTHQUAKES OCCURRING IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS Magnitude Elsinore
Fault
NewportInglewood FaultSouthern San
Andreas Fault
San Jacinto
Fault
San Joaquin
Hills Fault
M≥6.7 3.66% 0.70% 19.21% 5.41% 0.42%
M≥7.0 1.82% 0.63% 12.86% 5.39% 0.40%
M≥7.5 0.90% 0.20% 10.21% 5.28% 0.24%
M≥8.0 <0.01% -- 3.24% 2.75% --
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior and US Geological Survey, The Third California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF3), Google Earth file with fault probabilities, March 2015.

Note:

1. M≥6.7 means magnitude greater than or equal to 6.7, and likewise for the other magnitude thresholds.

2. The 30-year period measured by this report is 2014 to 2044; a 30-year period is the typical duration of a homeowner mortgage.

Based on the data above, and the historic occurrences of earthquake activity in southern California, it is concluded that the probability of future occurrences impacting the City of Laguna Hills is highly likely.

CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS
Earthquakes are caused by seismic activity, which is not directly correlated with climate change. However, climate change could bring more severe rain events increasing the amount of water saturation in loose soils. The increased saturation combined with an earthquake event could cause liquefaction or landslides to occur in the City.

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4.2.6 SEVERE WEATHER

DESCRIPTION
Heavy Rains
According to the National Weather Service/National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a severe thunderstorm must have at least one of the following: hail that is one inch in diameter or larger; or winds of 58 miles per hour or greater (National Weather Service, 2022). About 10 percent of thunderstorms in Orange County are classified as severe. They usually occur when cool, moist air moves in to break a prolonged hot spell.

The storms are usually short-lived and infrequent. They are usually no more than a quarter of a mile wide. Over the interior mountain areas, storms are more intense, and they may become unusually severe on occasion at intermediate and high elevations. Although not defined as severe weather, Laguna Hills experiences heavy rain events that can result in localized flooding, mudflows, and fallen tree limbs or brush that block roadways and drainage systems.

Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana winds push dry air from the inland deserts of California and the Southwest over the mountains between coastal California and the deserts. They are created when high pressure over the high desert of the Great Basin region causes winds on the southern side of high to blow from the east, toward the Pacific Ocean and lower air pressure offshore.

The phenomenon occurs during the fall and early winter. These hot and very dry winds dry out vegetation, increasing the fuel available to feed fires. Gusty winds also fan flames and spread fire (Los Angeles Times, 2008).

Extreme Heat
Extreme heat conditions are defined as weather that is much hotter than average for a particular time and place, and sometimes more humid. The heat index is a measure of how hot it feels when relative humidity is factored into the actual temperature. High humidity can cause the heat index to increase drastically and create dangerous health conditions (Environmental Protection Agency & Center for Disease Control, 2016).

Typically, the National Weather Service (NWS) issues Excessive Heat Warning/Advisory when the heat index is predicted to be 105°F or greater for two or more consecutive days, although the temperature cut-off varies for different regions (California Environmental Protection Agency & California Department of Public Health, 2013). CalAdapt identifies an extreme heat day or warm night as a day in a year when the daily maximum/minimum temperature exceeds the 98th historical percentile of daily

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maximum/minimum temperatures based on the historical data from 1961-1990 between April and October. For the City of Laguna Hills, the 98th percentile would be 90.1 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) (Cal-Adapt, 2022). Additionally, Cal-Adapt defines a heat wave as periods of four consecutive extreme days or warm nights when the daily temperature is above the extreme heat threshold.

Power Outage
Power outages are a secondary effect of severe weather events in Laguna Hills. During severe weather incidents, such as high winds, San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Edison (SCE), suppliers of electricity to the City, may implement an operational practice called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), to preemptively shut off power in high risk areas during potentially dangerous fire conditions. This program is designed to proactively prevent electric systems from starting a wildfire when winds and temperatures are high.

Strong Santa Ana winds, high temperatures, and low humidity are all severe weather conditions that could trigger a PSPS event. The frequency of PSPS events depends on weather and environmental factors; SDG&E and SCE make decisions to implement PSPS based on internal thresholds, assessment of real-time information, and situational awareness data. If a PSPS is necessary, SDG&E and SCE communicate with public safety authorities, first responders, and the affected communities. Additionally, customers are notified prior to shutting off power, where conditions allow advanced notification.

When weather forecasts indicate extreme fire conditions, SDG&E and SCE begin predictive modeling to assess potential impacts while monitoring weather watch alerts from the National Weather Service. Leading up to an event, weather forecasts and the potential for wildfire are refined. Two days prior to extreme fire conditions forecasted, SDG&E and SCE would coordinate first with the local government, emergency management community, and first responders. A first notification would go out to customers 48 hours prior to the shut off, a second notification 24 hours prior, and a final notification with power shut off. It is noted that actual or sudden onset of extreme weather conditions could impact coordination and notification efforts (San Diego Gas & Electric, 2022 and Southern California Edison, 2022).

Outside of the PSPS events, there is the potential for power outages to occur within the City. SCE defines a major outage as a large unexpected outage caused by either accidents or natural disasters. While uncommon, loss of electrical power is a potential secondary effect of severe weather events.

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LOCATION AND EXTENT
A heavy rain, Santa Ana wind, or extreme heat event would occur throughout the entire City of Laguna Hills. While PSPS would only affect certain circuits within the City, a major power outage could affect the entirety of the City, including public infrastructure such as water/wastewater, transportation facilities, and emergency services. Although most of Laguna Hills powerlines are located underground, they are connected to regional lines which are located aboveground. Therefore, power outages or interruptions could occur from events not directly impacting the City.

Heavy Rains
One of the indicators for a heavy rain season is the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), used to monitor the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). To calculate the ONI, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center calculate the average sea surface temperature in the El Niño 3.4 region (area of the east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean) for each month, and then average it with values from the previous and following months. This running 3-month average is compared to a 30-year average. The observed difference from the average temperature in that region, whether warmer or cooler, is the ONI value for that 3-month “season.” Based on the ONI, the El Niño (warm) and La Niña (cool) events in the tropical Pacific are categorized as weak, moderate, strong, or very strong (NOAA, 2021b).

Laguna Hills experiences an average of 14.2 inches of rain per year and gets precipitation, on average, 37 days per year. Precipitation is rain, snow, sleet, or hail that is at least .01 inches on the ground. Typically, the City’s drainage systems have been able to accommodate heavy rain events, as the City proactively inspects, cleans, and clears catch basins and flow lines to prevent flooding and other issues in anticipation of a storm.

However, some locations do not have a secondary outlet and cannot handle the increased flow; refer to the Flood discussion above. Additionally, the Nellie Gale Ranch Home Owner’s Association (HOA) maintains a series of equestrian trails that experience erosion during heavy rain events. During heavy rain events, sandbags are utilized to prevent erosion and runoff into the public storm drain.

Santa Ana Winds
Hurricane winds are measured using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Although hurricane events are not typical within Laguna Hills, the scale can be used to measure strong winds that are not associated with a hurricane event. The scale uses measurements in pressure, wind speed, and damage potential to identify the types of

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damage associated with sustained wind events; refer to Table 4-12, Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. A Santa Ana wind event would occur throughout the City.

TABLE 4-12: SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE.

Category Sustained Wind Speed Description of Damages
1 74–95 mph
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage:

Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to
roof, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap, and shallowly rooted trees may be
toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles
likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
2 96–110 mph
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive
damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain
major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted
trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous
roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages
that could last from several days to weeks.
3 111–129 mph
Devastating damage: Well-built framed homes may
incur major damage or removal of roof decking and
gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted,
blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be
unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm
passes.
4 130–156 mph
Catastrophic damage: Well-built framed homes can
sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof
structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen
trees and power poles will isolate residential areas.

Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most
of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
5 157 mph or higher
Catastrophic damage: A high percentage of framed
homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate
residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or
Source: National Hurricane Center, Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php.

Extreme Heat
The Heat Index, which measures the “apparent temperature” when considering both air temperature and humidity, is used by the NWS to identify extreme heat days. Extreme heat is particularly dangerous when occurring for a prolonged period (heat waves).

Figure 4-9, Heat Index, shows the likelihood of heat disorder with prolonged exposure or strenuous activity associated with various temperatures and relative humidity. As

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described above, the NWS indicates alert procedures when the Heat Index is expected to exceed 105°–110°F (depending on local climate). An extreme heat event would occur throughout the City.

FIGURE 4-9: HEAT INDEX
Source: National Weather Service, NEW Heat Index,
https://www.weather.gov/images/safety/heatindexchart-650.jpg.

Power Outage
High Fire Risk Areas are areas with circuits within California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Tier 2 (elevated risk) and Tier 3 (extreme risk) Fire Threat Areas. The CPUC FireThreat Map was developed with input from the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the State’s investor-owned utilities, including SDG&E and SCE.

SCE uses their own thresholds prior to initiating a PSPS event. When evaluating weather and environmental conditions, SCE considers a variety of factors which include but are not limited to:
 National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings
 SCE meteorological assessments

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 SCE Fire Potential Index
 SCE Fire Scientist assessments
 Real-time situational awareness information
 SCE Fire Management/Office of Emergency Management input  Concerns from local or State fire authorities
 Mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders in place
 Expected impact of de-energizing circuits on essential services (including public safety agencies, water pumps, traffic controls, etc.)
 Other operational considerations to minimize wildfire ignitions SDG&E leverages a multitude of situational awareness data and input from its subject matter experts when deciding whether to de‐energize. Through experience, SDG&E learned that it is not appropriate to use a prescriptive technique to determine when to use PSPS as wildfire conditions are dynamic and not every situation is the same. In determining whether to employ a PSPS in a given area of its system, SDG&E analyzes and weighs several facts in real‐time, including: meteorology and weather conditions, vegetation conditions and Vegetation Risk Index, field observations, information from first responders, flying and falling debris, expected duration of conditions, and location of existing fires or wildfire activity in the region or state that would affect resource availability.

PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
Heavy Rains
The rainy season in Laguna Hills traditionally occurs between November into early May; although severe rains have occurred during other times of the year when weather conditions permit. Refer to the Flood Hazard Profile for a summary of specific regional storms that caused heavy rains in the City. A heavy rainstorm in 2005 caused overflows of a channel that extends from Moulton Parkway to Avenida De La Carlota. Segments of Moulton Parkway and Del Lago Drive were under water, causing several vehicles to become stranded. Water from the I-5 freeway also flooded the El Toro Road underpass and caused several vehicles to be stranded. During the week of December 16 – 23, 2010, record and historic rain levels were recorded in Orange County and in 2018/2019, the County experienced several rain events involving consecutive days of heavy rains. More recently, in March 2023, the State of California experienced severe winter storms resulting in the Governor of California proclaiming a state of emergency for several counties and the President issuing a Presidential Emergency Declaration for California that was

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amended March 16, 2023 to include Orange County. The Governor issued a state of emergency proclamation that included Orange County on August 18, 2023 due to Tropical Storm Hilary, as well as February 4, 2024 due to a powerful, slow moving, atmospheric river.

Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana winds occur annually between September to May in the City of Laguna Hills and southern California region. Within southern California, including Orange County, wind advisories have most recently occurred in December 2021, February 2022, April 2022, October 2022, January 2022, January 2023, and April 2023. These events have caused tree limbs to fall and debris to scatter, at times resulting in blocked roadways.

Most recently, in August 2023 storm-force winds of up to 60 miles per hour caused damages and power outages in southern California (KCAL News, 2023). In Laguna Hills, a tree branch was uprooted on Stockport Street, causing damage to an iron fence and two vehicles parked on the street. No injuries were reported.

Extreme Heat
Laguna Hills experiences an average of five extreme heat days per year, although some years over the past decades have seen as few as one or as many as 14 extreme heat days (Cal-Adapt, 2022). In August 2023, the NWS issued excessive heat warnings for eight counties in central and southern California, including Orange County. Most recently, in September 2024, the NWS issued excessive heat warnings across much of Southern California, including Orange County and Laguna Hills. Table 4-13, Orange County Extreme Heat Events, summarizes recent notable extreme heat events identified by the NWS in and around the forecast area. Some events from Los Angeles and surrounding areas are included. Events were included based on infrequency, severity and impact.

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TABLE 4-13: ORANGE COUNTY EXTREME HEAT EVENTS
Dates Description
June 28–
June 30,
2013
A heat wave on the order of a 20-year event enveloped the west and southern California. Death Valley reached the highest June temperature ever recorded in the United States: 129°F on June 30. Other desert cities like Palm Springs, Thermal, and Borrego Springs tied or set new June records and came within 1 degree of the all-time highest temperature on record on June 29.

April 30–
May 1,
2014
On April 30, temperatures soared past 90°F along the coast, breaking many daily high temperature records. Winds kept the minimum temperature in Anaheim at 77°F. On May 1, temperatures at all lower-elevation stations were in the 90s, with Chula Vista topping the list at 100°F.

May 13–
May 15,
2014
Strong high pressure and a strong late-season Santa Ana wind event combined to bring record high temperatures exceeding 100°F to most of the lower elevations on these days. Many all-time high temperature records for the month of May were broken. The hottest day was May 15 when it was 106°F in Yorba Linda and the San Diego Wild Animal Park.

March 13–
March 16,
2015
Strong high pressure and Santa Ana conditions boosted temperatures into the 90s across the coast and valleys each day, with cooling only into the 60s at night.

Numerous daily high maximum and daily high minimum records were set. The warmest day, on March 13, was 96°F in Santa Ana. Highest minimum temperatures were 68°F in Santa Ana and San Diego on March 15.

September
1-
September
3, 2017
A strong high-pressure system stalled over the western US and allowed temperatures to rise into the triple digits. This heatwave was documented as the greatest statewide heat wave ever recorded in California (at the time). Readings soared above 110°F across the Central Valley, while in southern California, days of triple-digit heat fueled the largest wildfire on record in the City of Los Angeles (La Tuna Fire).

July 1 –
July 6,
2018
A strong high-pressure system obliterated heat wave records across southern California, as part of the larger North American Heat Wave. Santa Ana recorded 114°F on July 6; Riverside tied a record at 118°F and UCLA recorded an all-time hottest record at 111°F. The Chino automated weather station recorded 120°F – the highest temperature ever recorded by any automated weather station in the valleys or coastal areas around Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. Additionally, several hottest all-time overnight low temperatures were recorded in Burbank (82°F) and Los Angeles (79°F).

September
6, 2020
A historic heat wave swept through Southern California during the Labor Day weekend. Woodland Hills set a record temperature of 121 degrees on Sunday afternoon, the highest official temperature ever recorded in Los Angeles County according to the National Weather Service.

February 9
– February
13, 2022
A heat advisory was issued for Los Angeles and Orange counties and the Inland Empire due to unseasonably hot weather, with temperatures up to 20 degrees above normal. It was the first heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service in Los Angeles during the month of February since 2006.

June 2022 A heat advisory was issued for several parts of southern California due to triple-digit temperatures.

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Dates Description
September
1 –
September
9, 2022
A heat advisory was issued for Orange County and surrounding areas, with temperatures reaching the high 90s and low 100s in many cities throughout the County.

July 2023 A long duration heat wave impacted southern California, and particularly inland areas, from July 7 to 29 with nearly continuous warnings and advisories. Hot conditions occurred across inland Orange County from July 10 to 14.

August 28
– August
30, 2023
A heat advisory was issued for eight counties in central and southern California, including Orange County.

September
4 –
September
9, 2024
Southern California experienced high temperatures with several days of excessive heat warnings beginning September 4, 2024. Temperatures were predicted to reach 105°F in Orange County inland areas.

Source: National Weather Service, A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California, updated May 2017; National Weather Service, Storm Events Database, June 2024; Climate Signals beta, Southern California Heat Wave July 2018 and September 2017; NASA Earth Observatory, California Heatwave Fits a Trend, https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/147256/california-heatwave-fits-a-trend; KTLA, February 9, 2022, Heat wave: SoCal to see unseasonably hot temperatures up to 20 degrees above normal. Orange County Register, Brace yourself for more 100-degree days and red-flag warnings, Southern California, September 6, 2024.

Power Outage
Laguna Hills has never experienced a City-wide power outage due to severe weather.

On May 9, 2014, more than 1,900 customers in Laguna Hills experienced a power outage, due to an equipment issue at Alicia Parkway and Costeau Street. On June 3, 2022, Laguna Hills Village experienced an afternoon power outage that affected clubhouses and approximately 960 manors. Generators were initiated, ensuring no vital operations were affected. Other area-specific power outages are likely to have occurred, including planned power outages.

Energy delivery services, specifically electricity delivery, is subject to harm during extreme heat events. Extreme heat puts more stress on power lines and energy infrastructure, which can cause the energy grid to perform less efficiently. This, coupled with more electricity demand from air conditioning units, can lead to power outages.

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PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
Heavy Rains
El Niño and La Niña are opposite phases of a natural climate pattern across the tropical Pacific Ocean that swings back and forth every 3-7 years on average (NOAA, 2016).

Together, they are called El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The ENSO pattern in the tropical Pacific can be in one of three states: El Niño, Neutral, or La Niña. El Niño (the warm phase) and La Niña (the cool phase) lead to significant differences from the average ocean temperatures, winds, surface pressure, and rainfall across parts of the tropical Pacific. Neutral indicates that conditions are near their long-term average.

According to the National Weather Service, ENSO conditions have returned to neutral after experiencing El Niño conditions from winter to spring 2023-24; however, La Niña conditions are projected to develop during July to September (65% chance) and persist into the Northern Hemisphere during winter 2024-25 (85% chance) (NOAA, 2024).

Typically, El Niño is associated with warm, wet winters in southern California, while La Niña is associated with cooler and drier conditions. As such, the southern California area could experience a rapid swing from heavy precipitation to dryness. However, due to the cyclical nature of these climate patterns, and based on previous occurrences and weather trends in southern California, it is anticipated that heavy rains will continue to occur in the City. The probability of future occurrences is considered highly likely.

High Winds
High winds, or Santa Ana wind events for purposes of this LHMP, have historically occurred annually within southern California and the City of Laguna Hills. According to the National Weather Service, these winds are most common during the cooler months of the year, occurring from September to May. Due to the topography of the area, weather patterns, and annual occurrence, there is no indication that these events would not continue to occur in the future. Thus, due to their 100 percent annual occurrence, it is highly likely that high winds related to Santa Ana wind events will continue to occur in the City.

Extreme Heat
Extreme heat events have historically occurred within California and southern California.

Table 4-13 demonstrates nine significant extreme heat events in Orange County from 2013-2022. According to the National Weather Service, California has been experiencing more frequent and severe heat waves. Cal-Adapt Extreme Heat Days & Warm Nights

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tool indicates that for most areas around the state, the climate models project a significant rise in the number of days exceeding what is now considered extremely hot for the given area. For Laguna Hills, baseline data (1961-1990) shows two extreme heat days per year, which is shown to increase to eight days per year (2035-2064). Thus, based on the historical occurrence of two extreme heat days per year and projected increase in future occurrences of eight days per year, the probability that extreme heat events will continue to occur in the City is highly likely.

CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS
Climate change has direct effects on heavy rain events. According to research conducted by UCLA, California will experience extremely wet and extremely dry seasons by the end of the century. Climate scientists predict that “over the next 40 years, the State will be 300 to 400 percent more likely to have a prolonged storm sequence as severe as the one that caused the legendary California flood more than 150 years ago.” As discussed in the General Plan Safety Element, Laguna Hills is projected to experience a slight increase in overall annual precipitation levels, with precipitation expected to fall in fewer, more extreme events, such as atmospheric rivers.

According to the California Adaptation Planning Guide, local heat waves are likely to occur much more frequently. Climate models project a significant rise in the number of days exceeding what is not considered extremely hot for Laguna Hills. The number of heat waves is very likely to increase because of climate change, reflecting the global trend. According to Cal-Adapt, the number of extreme heat days in Laguna Hills, defined as a day when the high temperature is at least 90.1°F, is expected to rise from a historical annual average of five days per year to 12 days per year by the middle of the century (2040-2069), and to an average of 25 days per year by the end of the century (2070 to 2099) (Cal-Adapt, 2022). The number of warm nights in Laguna Hills is also expected to increase, which is defined as temperatures above 65°F. Climate change is expected to increase the number of warm nights from a historical annual average of four nights per year to 41 warm nights per year by the middle of the century and 80 warm nights per year by the end of the century.

SCE reports that increased power outages are directly related to climate change, and states on their website that PSPS will become “the new normal during high fire/wind events.” PSPS will become increasingly required to mitigate fire risk as increased severity and duration of extreme weather events occur.

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Additionally, climate change may result in storm events, Santa Ana winds, and heat waves occurring outside of traditional seasons of the year. This could increase secondary effects, such as flooding, erosion, or wildfire events.

4.2.7 WILDFIRE AND URBAN FIRES

DESCRIPTION
A wildfire is defined as an unplanned and unwanted wildland fire, including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildland fire use events, escaped prescribed fire projects, and all other wildland fire where the object is to extinguish the fire. Wildfire is a natural part of the southern California ecosystem, helping to clear brush and debris, and is a necessary part of the various species’ life cycles. Wildfires can be sparked by lightning, accidents, or arson.

Human activity has changed the buffer zone between urbanized and undeveloped areas, known as the wildland-urban interface, where naturally fire-prone landscapes abut developed neighborhoods. The natural setting of a wildland-urban interface can make these areas highly desirable places to live, and many of these areas in California are now developed. This development has brought more people into wildfire-prone areas. The availability of fuel and increasing encroachment into the wildland-urban interface have made wildfires a common and dangerous hazard in California. Certain development patterns pose more difficult fire problems. These include multi-story, wood frame, high-density apartment developments; multi-story research developments; large continuous developed areas with combustible roofing materials; and facilities that use and/or store hazardous materials. Features of structural conditions that affect fire control include the type and use of structure, area of building, number of stories, roof covering, and exposures to the building.

LOCATION AND EXTENT
While major wildfires pose a significant risk in the large, open space hillsides and areas in otherpartsofOrangeCounty,theurbanized nature of LagunaHills and theadjacentareas significantly reduces the threat of large, catastrophic wildfires within the City.

Nevertheless, wildlandfirehazardsdoexist. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) prepares wildfire hazard severity maps including mapping areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), define the application of various mitigation strategies and influence how people construct buildings and protect property

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to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. While FHSZ do not predict when or where a wildfire will occur, they do identify areas where wildfire hazards could be more severe and therefore are of greater concern. Zones are designated on varying degrees from moderate, high, and very high. While there are no areas of Laguna Hills that are within designated Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (see Figure 4-10, Fire Hazard Severity Zones), the northwestern neighborhoods of the City are adjacent to areas designated as High and Very High Fire Hazard areas by CAL FIRE, including the open space in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in the City of Irvine. Due to the City’s proximity to these wildland areas, the northwest portion of the City is within a wildland-urban interface; refer to Figure 4-11, Wildlife-Urban Interface. In addition, areas within the southern portion of the City, as well as some hillside corridors with natural terrain and open areas, are also at risk for fire hazards.

Fire protection challenges within Laguna Hills occur where development is located within and directly adjacent to wildland urban interface areas. As the number of structural features increase, so does the risk of incidence of fire. Wildfires are not measured on a specific scale and are usually classified by size or impact. The size and severity of any fire depends on the availability of fuel, weather conditions, and topography, although wildfires in the wildland urban interface do not need to be identified as large to be damaging. Due to the location of development adjacent to High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, there is the potential for a wildfire to spread quickly and through a large portion of the City, depending on the conditions and nature of the fire.

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L A G U N A N I G U E L

M I S S I O N V I E J O

L A K E F O R E S T

A L I S O V I E J O

L A G U N A W O O D S

I R V I N E

CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Figure 4-10 Fire Hazard Severity Zones .

Legend
City of Laguna Hills
Other Incorporated Area
Local Responsibility Area
State Responsibility Area
Very High Fire Hazard
Severity Zone in State
Responsibility Area
!( Critical Facility
!( Facility of Concern
Sources: Orange County GIS; City of Laguna Hills; USGS NHD; CalFire; Office of the State Fire Marshal. Map date: March 9, 2022. 0 O
¼ ½
Miles

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L A G U N A N I G U E L

M I S S I O N V I E J O

L A K E F O R E S T

A L I S O V I E J O

L A G U N A W O O D S

I R V I N E

CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Figure 4-11 Wildland-Urban Interface .

Legend
City of Laguna Hills
Other Incorporated Area
Wildland-Urban Interface
!( Critical Facility
!( Facility of Concern
Sources: Orange County GIS; City of Laguna Hills; USGS NHD; The 1990-2010 wildland-urban interface of the conterminous United States - geospatial data, Forest Service Research Data Archive, 2017.

Map date: March 9, 2022.
0 O
¼ ½
Miles

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PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
Historically, there have been few wildfires within and near Laguna Hills. However, the County of Orange has experienced a number of major fires. Table 4-14, Major Wildfires in Orange County History, identifies the most significant historical fires in Orange County dating back to 1948 in terms of the amount of acreage claimed.

TABLE 4-14: MAJOR WILDFIRES IN ORANGE COUNTY HISTORY
Name Year Acres Claimed
Green River 1948 53,079
Steward 1958 69,444
Paseo Grande 1967 51,075
Indian 1980 28,408
Owl 1980 18,332
Gypsum 1982 19,986
Laguna 1993 16,682
Ortega 1993 21,010
Sierra 2006 10,584
Santiago 2007 28,517
Freeway Complex 2008 30,305
Holy Fire 2018 23,136
Silverado 2020 12,465
Blue Ridge 2020 13,694
Airport Fire1 2024 22,000+
Source: County of Orange and Orange County Fire Authority, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, December 2021.

NOTE: For purposes of this LHMP, major fires in Orange County are defined as burning more than 10,000 acres in total. 1. At the time of the LHMP preparation this fire was occurring.

Although not classified as a “major fire”, in May 2022 a fire, which began as a brush fire in Aliso Woods Canyon, burned approximately 200 acres, including several homes within Laguna Niguel.

PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
There are no areas of Laguna Hills within Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. The northwest portion of the City is within a wildland-urban interface due to the City’s proximity to wildland areas, however, historically, there have been few wildfires within or near Laguna Hills. Improvements in architecture, building and landscape design and maintenance, construction materials, and emergency response have helped reduce the likelihood of catastrophic urban fires. Nevertheless, residents of Laguna Hills could potentially be exposed to structural fire hazards. Since the City is not located within a mapped wildfire hazard area (as delineated on Cal Fire wildfire hazard severity maps)

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and historically there have been no wildfires within Laguna Hills and few fires within the immediate area near Laguna Hills, the probability of future wildfires occurring within the City or spreading from neighboring areas is considered to be relatively low. However, given the high probability of regional wildfires and increased threat of wildfire due to climate change, as described below, the probability of future occurrences impacting Laguna Hills is considered likely.

CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS
The seven largest California wildfires have occurred in the past four years, including the August Complex Fire, Dixie Fire, Mendocino Complex Fire, SCU Lightning Complex Fire, Creek Fire, LNU Lightning Complex Fire, and North Complex Fire (CAL FIRE, 2022). During 2018, the Camp Fire became the deadliest wildfire in California history, killing 86 civilians and burning 153,000 acres in Butte County (CAL FIRE, 2021). Southern California experienced several severe fires in recent history, including the Blue Ridge Fire, Silverado Fire, Skirball Fire, Woolsey Fire, and the Holy Fire.

Changing weather patterns are expected to cause an increase in temperatures, as well as more frequent and intense drought conditions. As mentioned previously, the severity of a wildfire is dependent on the amount of oxygen, heat, wind, relative humidity, and fuel. Excessive heat and low humidity during the summer and fall months are likely to occur. It is possible that higher temperatures could cause local native chaparral and scrub ecosystems to change to grasslands. This would increase dry plant matter, which could cause wildfires to move more quickly or spread into developed areas of Laguna Hills.

It is well documented that regional wildfires will likely become an increased threat, which could have secondary consequences for the City. Specifically, fires located in different parts of Orange, Riverside, or San Bernardino counties can negatively impact air quality in the City. Parts of Riverside and San Bernardino County could see wildfire risk increase between 50 and 100 percent. Wildfires release smoke, ash, and other particulate matter that substantially degrade air quality (including fine particulate matter, PM2.5). PM2.5 is particularly damaging to human health since particulate matter of this size can deeply penetrate lung tissue and affect a person’s respiratory and cardiovascular systems. While poor air quality affects everyone, persons with weakened immune systems or preexisting conditions, children, seniors, and persons who spend a disproportionate amount of time outside are at an increased risk to wildfire smoke. The increase in wildfire frequency and size can contribute to periods of unhealthy to hazardous air quality, which leads to

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respiratory health impacts and worsens health impacts in persons with preexisting health conditions.

4.3 VULNERABILITY/RISK ASSESSMENT
Vulnerability describes how exposed or susceptible to damage an asset is, and depends on an asset’s construction, condition, contents, and economic value of functions. A vulnerability analysis predicts the extent of damage on the built environment that may result from a hazard event of a given intensity in a specific area.

4.3.1 HISTORY OF DISASTERS AND OTHER DECLARATIONS
Federally declared disasters affecting Orange County from 2014 to 2024 are listed below in Table 4-15. As shown, the greatest threats to the County and City include fire, severe weather, flooding, and seismic and geologic hazards such as landslide and mudslide.

TABLE 4-15: ORANGE COUNTY FEMA DISASTER DECLARATIONS (2014-2024) Disaster
Number Description Declaration Date/Incident Period Assistance Provided DR-4305
Flood
(California Severe Winter
Storms, Flooding, and
Mudslides)
03-16-2017
(01-18-2017 to 01-23-
2017)
Public Assistance, Risk
Mitigation Assistance
FM-5213
Fire
(California Canyon Fire)
09-26-2017
(09-25-2017 to 10-02-
2017)
Public Assistance
FM-5223
Fire
(California Canyon 2 Fire)
10-09-2017
(10-09-2017 to 10-20-
2017)
Public Assistance
DR-4344
Fire
(California Wildfire)
10-10-2017
(10-08-2017 to 10-31-
2017)
Individual Assistance, Public
Assistance, Hazard
Mitigation Assistance
EM-3428
Biological (California COVID19)03-13-2020
(01-20-2020 to 05-11-
2023)
Public Assistance
DR-4482
Biological
(California Covid-19
Pandemic)
03-22-2020
(01-20-2020 to 05-11-
2023)
Individual Assistance, Public
Assistance, Hazard
Mitigation Assistance
FM-5381 Fire
(California Blue Ridge Fire)
10-26-2020
(10-26-2020)
Public Assistance
FM-5380 Fire
(California Silverado Fire)
(10-26-2020) Public Assistance, Hazard
Mitigation Assistance
FM-5383 Fire
(California Bond Fire)
12-03-2020
(12-03-2020)
Public Assistance

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Disaster
Number Description Declaration Date/Incident Period Assistance Provided FM-5439
Fire
(California Coastal Fire)
05-12-2022
(05-11-2022 to 05-16-
2022)
Public Assistance
EM-3591
Flood
(California Severe Winter
Storms, Flooding, and
Mudslides)
01-09-2023
(01-08-2023 to 01-31-
2023)
N/A
EM-3592
Flood
(California Severe Winter
Storms, Flooding, Landslides,
and Mudslides)
03-10-2023
(03-9-2023 to 7-10-
2023)
N/A
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Disasters and Other Declarations, https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations, accessed August 28, 2024.

State-proclaimed disasters affecting Orange County from 2014 to 2024 are listed in Table 4-16. State-proclaimed disasters affecting the County and City include severe weather and wildfire.

TABLE 4-16: CALIFORNIA STATE DISASTER DECLARATIONS FOR ORANGE COUNTY (2014-2024) Disaster Code Description Date of Disaster
77 January Winter Storms January 2017
89 Cherokee, LaPorte, Sulphur, Potter, Cascade,
Lobo & Canyon Fires
October 2017
106 Holy Fire August 2018
109 Atmospheric River Storm System January and February 2019 127 December Winter Storms December 2021
140 Severe Winter Storms December 2022 & January 2023
141 Severe Winter Storms February 2023 & March 2023
142 Tropical Storm Hilary August 2023
146 Severe Winter Storms February 2024
Source: California State Franchise Tax Board, List of California Disasters, https://www.ftb.ca.gov/file/business/deductions/disaster-codes.html, accessed August 28, 2024.

4.3.2 METHODOLOGY
For each of the hazards profiled in the previous section, a vulnerability/risk assessment is provided. The vulnerability/risk assessment gives equal weight to all hazards, regardless of the hazards’ probability. It should be noted that the actual losses will depend on the type, location, magnitude, and extent of the hazard event.

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residential structures is considered cumulatively; individual residences and non-residential buildings are not specifically identified. Similarly, the social threat to residents is generally discussed, as specific data pertaining to vulnerable populations is not readily available at this level of analysis.

Census data and associated analysis/mapping conducted as part of the City’s Housing Element Update were reviewed and compared to the hazards and associated mapping provided within this LHMP to provide an understanding of socially vulnerable populations that may potentially reside within an area of the City subject to hazards. This information was supplemented by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)/Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which uses Census data to determine the social vulnerability of each Census tract and ranks each tract on 16 variables, in order to identify communities that may need support before, during, or after disasters. These variables are grouped into four themes that cover major areas of social vulnerability: socioeconomic status (e.g., income below 150% of poverty level, unemployed, no health insurance), household characteristics (e.g., 65 years or older, aged 17 years or younger, single parent households, English language proficiency), racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation (e.g., multi-unit structures, mobile homes, crowding, no vehicle).

It is noted that a hazard event may have different impacts on different people. Age, socioeconomic status, access to services, physical and mental conditions, and other conditions affect the ability to prepare for and respond to a hazard event. Senior citizens and those with disabilities are more likely to need assistance during and after a hazard event due to physical and/or mental disabilities, lower income levels, and reduced mobility/accessibility to services and resources. Disabled persons may experience difficulties living independently and as a result rely on the assistance of others to prepare for and mitigate hazard conditions. Lower-income households are less likely to have the financial resources to implement mitigation actions in their homes, and less likely to have the financial means to recover as a result of a hazard event. Due to the dynamic nature of hazards, the extent of impact can vary greatly. The assessment provides an overview and understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities associated with the hazards and serves as a basis for the mitigation actions.

In addition to the above, FEMA’s National Risk Index was reviewed in regards to the risks associated with the natural hazards with the potential to affect the County of Orange and the City of Laguna Hills. FEMA’s National Risk Index defines risk as the potential for negative impacts as a result of a natural hazard. Natural hazards are defined as

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environmental phenomena that have the potential to impact societies and the human environment. Natural hazards do not include human-induced hazards. For example, a flood resulting from changes in river flows is a natural hazard, whereas flooding due to a dam failure is considered a manmade hazard, and therefore excluded from the National Risk Index.

In determining risk, the Risk Index considers three components: a natural hazards component (expected annual loss), a consequence enhancing component (social vulnerability), and a consequence reduction component (community resilience).

Expected Annual Loss (EAL) represents the average economic loss in dollars resulting from natural hazards each year. It is calculated for each hazard type and quantifies loss for relevant consequence types: buildings, people, and agriculture. Social vulnerability is the susceptibility of social groups to the adverse impacts of natural hazards, including disproportionate death, injury, loss, or disruption of livelihood. Community resilience is the ability of a community to prepare for anticipated natural hazards, adapt to changing conditions, and withstand and recover rapidly from disruptions (FEMA 2022).

4.3.3 CRITICAL FACILITIES AND FACILITIES OF CONCERN
The LHMP Planning Team identified 33 critical facilities and facilities of concern for incorporation in the hazard vulnerability/risk analysis; refer to Table 4-17 and Figure 4-12, Laguna Hills Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern. Critical facilities and facilities of concern are owned, operated, and maintained by various agencies, not just the City.

Critical facilities serve an important function in the operations of the municipal government and in serving the community. These facilities include government buildings, community buildings, fire stations, hospitals, public schools, water and wastewater infrastructure, and transportation infrastructure. Damage to these facilities caused by a hazard event has the potential to impair response and recovery and may lead to disruption of services. Facilities of concern are less vital to safety and well-being, but may assist in evacuations, serve as assembly points or temporary shelters, or provide a supportive role in preparing for and recovering from hazard events.

Where available, the LHMP Planning Team identified a facility’s potential loss value, comprised of replacement and contents for each facility. The data was provided by the City’s property insurance schedule and therefore, information for facilities not owned by the City are not shown (e.g. water/wastewater infrastructure, private buildings). In some instances, replacement cost information was not made available. If a facility is completely destroyed in a hazard event, the replacement and contents values indicate

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the cost to replace the entire facility and all of its contents. Typically, the cost to repair a damaged facility would be less than the replacement value. While the replacement and contents values are used throughout this plan to estimate potential losses, it is noted that the actual cost to recover from a hazard event will depend on the type and magnitude of the event.

The critical facilities were mapped in GIS and overlaid with mapped hazard areas (those hazards that have a specific geographic area) to determine which assets are located in each hazard area. Hazard areas and critical facility overlays were conducted for dam inundation, flood, seismic ground shaking, landslide (specific to seismic conditions), liquefaction, and wildfires.

Due to the nature of the hazards and availability of information, hazard overlays were not prepared for drought, human-induced hazards, landslide/mudflow, severe weather, and urban fires. These hazards are not geographically defined and have the potential to affect the entire community. There are no defined hazard areas for moisture-induced landslides and mudflows, although as discussed in the hazard profile, they typically occur along hillside areas and can result from conditions caused by other hazards, such as heavy rains following wildfires. For the purposes of this LHMP, it is assumed these hazards could potentially impact the entire community, including the critical facilities.

Replacement and contents values for the facilities in each hazard area are provided to estimate the potential losses based on the method described above. However, the likelihood that all facilities are completely damaged at the same time or that the entirety of a structure and its contents are damaged is extremely unlikely. Most impacts are anticipated to be isolated to certain locations based on the hazard.

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TABLE 4-17: LAGUNA HILLS CRITICAL FACILITIES AND FACILITIES OF CONCERN Map
ID Name Type
Owner/
Responsible
Agency
Location Critical
Facility
Facility of
Concern
Buildings
1 Laguna Hills City
Hall/Civic
Center (City
Hall, Police)
Government City 24035 El Toro
Road, Laguna
Hills X
2 Laguna Hills
Community
Center & Sports
Complex
Community City 25555 Alicia
Parkway,
Laguna Hills X
3 Florence
Sylvester
Memorial Senior
Center
Community Age Well
Senior
Services Inc.
23721 Moulton
Parkway,
Laguna Hills X
4 Laguna Hills
Technology
Library
Government County of
Orange
25555 Alicia
Parkway,
Laguna Hills
X
5 OCFA Station 22 Fire Station OCFA 24001 Paseo de
Valencia,
Laguna Woods
X
6 Memorial Care
Saddleback
Medical Center
Hospital Private
Memorial
Care
24451 Health
Center Drive,
Laguna Hills
X
7 Laguna Hills
Transportation
Center
Transportation OCTA 24282 Calle de
Los Caballeros,
Laguna Hills
X
8 Laguna Hills
High School
Public School SVUSD 25401 Paseo de
Valencia,
Laguna Hills
X
9 MNWD
Headquarters
Water/
Wastewater
Headquarters
MNWD 26161 Gordon
Road, Laguna
Hills X
Water/Wastewater Infrastructure
10 Mathis Lift
Station
Sewer ETWD 24853 Paseo de
Valencia,
Laguna Hills
X
11 Veeh Lift Station Sewer ETWD 22988 Santa
Vittoria Drive,
Laguna Hills
X
12 Aliso Hills
Reservoir
Water MNWD 24773
Mendocino
Court
X
13 Casa De Oso
Pump Station
Water MNWD 26593 Meadow
Crest Drive X

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Map
ID Name Type
Owner/
Responsible
Agency
Location Critical
Facility
Facility of
Concern
14 La Paz
Underground
Pump Station
Water MNWD 25322 ½ Cabot
Road X
15 Mathis Pump
Station
Water MNWD 25655 Nellie
Gail Lane X
16 Mathis Reservoir
1 & 2
Water MNWD 25655 Nellie
Gail Lane X
17 Moulton Lift
Station 1 & 2
Sewer MNWD 26112 Moulton
Parkway X
18 Nellie Gail
Reservoir
Water MNWD 25655 Nellie
Gail Lane X
19 Valencia Lift
Station
Sewer MNWD 25659 Cabot
Road X
20 Valencia Pump
Station 1 & 2
Water MNWD 25480 La Paz
Road X
Transportation Infrastructure
21 Aliso Creek
Bridge
(55C0221L)
Transportation City S/B Moulton
Parkway; 1.5
mile south of El
Toro Road
X
22 Aliso Creek
Bridge
(55C0529R)
Transportation City E/B Laguna Hills
Drive; 400 feet
east of Moulton
Parkway
X
23 Aliso Creek
(55C0221R)
Transportation City N/B Moulton
Parkway; 1.5
mile south of El
Toro Road
X
24 Narco Channel
(55C0495)
Transportation City Nellie Gail
Road; 0.1 mile
south of Oso
Parkway
X
25 Alicia Creek
(55C0237)
Transportation City Moulton
Parkway; 200
feet northwest
of Alicia
Parkway
X
26 Aliso Hills Creek
Equestrian
(55C0238)
Transportation City Moulton
Parkway; 200
feet north of La
Paz Road
X
27 La Paz
Equestrian
(55C0239)
Transportation City La Paz Road;

0.2 mile
northeast of
Moulton
Parkway
X

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Map
ID Name Type
Owner/
Responsible
Agency
Location Critical
Facility
Facility of
Concern
28 Via Lomas
(55C0662)
Transportation City Via Lomas; 100
feet west of
Alicia Parkway
X
29 Oso Parkway
(55C0056)
Transportation Caltrans Oso Parkway;

0.1 mile west of
Route I-5
X
30 Aliso Creek
(55C0220)
Transportation City Paseo De
Valencia; 0.8
mile north of
Alicia Parkway
X
31 Canada
Channel
(55C0191)
Transportation City Santa Vittoria
Drive; 0.2 mile
south of Lake
Forest Drive
X
32 Canada
Channel
(55C0549)
Transportation City Mill Creek Drive;

0.2 mile south of
Lake Forest
Drive
X
33 Aliso Creek
(55C0529L)
Transportation City W/B Laguna
Hills Drive; 400
feet east of
Moulton
Parkway
X
Source: City of Laguna Hills, 2022.

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L A G U N A N I G U E L

M I S S I O N V I E J O

L A K E F O R E S T

A L I S O V I E J O

L A G U N A W O O D S

I R V I N E

CITY OF LAGUNA HILLS

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Figure 4-12 Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern .

Legend
City of Laguna Hills
Other Incorporated Area
!( Critical Facility
!( Facility of Concern
Sources: Orange County GIS; City of Laguna Hills. Map date: March 9, 2022. 0 O
¼ ½
Miles

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4.3.4 VULNERABLE POPULATIONS
Factors such as age, socioeconomic status, access to key services, physical and/or mental conditions, and other factors affect the ability of people to prepare for and respond to a hazard event. Even though some hazard events may impact all parts of Laguna Hills with equal severity, different people may experience the impacts to a greater or lesser extent. For example, lower-income households are less likely to have the financial resources to implement mitigation actions in their homes, and less likely to have the financial means to recover as a result of a hazard event. As a result, certain groups are considered to be more vulnerable to specific hazards than other groups.

This assessment includes a social threat analysis that examines how hazard events are likely to impact different populations within Laguna Hills and where these populations live in the City. This includes assessing whether the people in an area of an elevated hazard risk are more likely than the average person to be considered a vulnerable population.

The following criteria are used to assess the threat to vulnerable populations:
 Disability status: Persons with disabilities often have reduced mobility and may experience difficulties living independently. As a result, they may rely on the assistance of others to prepare for and mitigate hazard conditions.  Income levels: Lower-income households are less likely to have the financial resources to implement mitigation activities on their residences. They may also struggle with having the necessary time to find and access educational resources discussing hazard mitigation strategies. Furthermore, lower-income households are less likely to be able to move to safer areas that are less at risk of being impacted by a hazard.
 Age: Seniors (individuals 65 years of age or older) are more likely to have reduced mobility, physical and/or mental disabilities, and lower-income levels, all of which may decrease their ability to prepare for and mitigate a hazard event. Similarly, individuals under 18 years of age may rely on the assistance of their parent or guardian to prepare for and mitigate hazard conditions.  Other variables: Other demographic and socioeconomic factors may adversely affect communities that encounter hazards. For instance, persons without access to a vehicle or non-English speakers may have greater difficulty during an evacuation event; and persons without health insurance may have difficulties recovering from injuries sustained during a hazard event.

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Social vulnerability refers to the potential negative effects on communities caused by external stresses on human health, including natural or human-caused hazards.

Reducing social vulnerability can decrease both human suffering and economic loss. The CDC SVI uses 16 variables to help local officials identify communities that may need support before, during, or after disasters. These variables are grouped into four themes that cover major areas of social vulnerability: socioeconomic status (e.g., income below 150% of poverty level, unemployed, housing cost burden, no high school diploma, no health insurance), household characteristics (e.g., 65 years or older, aged 17 years or younger, civilian with a disability, single parent households, English language proficiency), racial and ethnic minority status, and housing type and transportation (e.g., multi-unit structures, mobile homes, crowding, no vehicle, group quarters). The CDC SVI uses Census data to determine the social vulnerability of every census tract. Each tract receives a separate ranking for each of the four themes, as well as an overall ranking.

Maps of the four themes are shown in the figures below. The overall SVI map is shown in Figure 4-13; the socioeconomic SVI is shown in Figure 4-14; the household composition SVI is shown in Figure 4-15; the minority and language SVI is shown in Figure 4-16; and the housing and transportation SVI is shown in Figure 4-17.

Table 4-18, Social Vulnerability Index, shows the CDC’s SVI percentile ranking for each census tract in the City (Statewide comparison). The percentile ranking represents the proportion of tracts that are equal to or lower than a tract of interest in terms of social vulnerability. For example, a CDC SVI ranking of 0.85 signifies that 85% of tracts in the State are less vulnerable than the tract of interest and that 15% of tracts in the State are more vulnerable. Tracts with higher SVI ranking are more likely to contain vulnerable populations.

TABLE 4-18: SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX
Census
Tract
Overall
SVI
Socioeconomic
Status
Household
Characteristics
Racial/Ethnic
Status
Housing Type &
Transportation
626.47 0.5386 0.425 0.5206 0.2121 0.804
626.25 0.4596 0.37 0.7253 0.3043 0.4521
626.22 0.4534 0.4338 0.485 0.2262 0.5483
423.07 0.4053 0.2535 0.4466 0.3889 0.6374
626.52 0.285 0.3524 0.5587 0.2541 0.1551
626.48 0.2773 0.3853 0.3343 0.1362 0.2467
423.20 0.2144 0.248 0.0664 0.3539 0.4651
423.33 0.147 0.1327 0.1787 0.1719 0.3108
423.27 0.1361 0.2402 0.4699 0.2246 0.044
423.28 0.0996 0.4334 0.0885 0.0846 0.0376
423.35 0.0711 0.2049 0.0449 0.2762 0.1477
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022 database California, accessed June 26, 2024.

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As shown, the census tracts with the highest overall SVI that are thus more likely to contain vulnerable populations include:
 Tract 626.47. This census tract is located in the northern portion of the City, generally between El Toro Road and Los Alisos Boulevard, and I-5 and Paseo de Valencia. It also includes a small northwestern portion of the City above Laguna Hills Drive. This tract includes a large proportion of commercial uses, as well as single-family and multifamily uses. Notable residential uses that may contain vulnerable populations include the Prado multifamily apartments and age-restricted Meridian senior living. It should be noted that approximately half of this tract is located in the neighboring city of Laguna Woods, which is composed of the Laguna Woods Golf Course and the Laguna Woods Village, an age-restricted retirement community. As residents of Laguna Woods Village are likely to be seniors on a fixed income, data for this tract may be skewed and not necessarily representative of conditions within adjacent areas of Laguna Hills.
 Tract 626.25. This census tract is located in the western-central portion of the City, generally north of Alicia Parkway and west of Paseo de Valencia. This tract includes the Via Lomas neighborhood, which has the highest proportion of Hispanic/Latino persons in the City and limited English speaker populations, as noted in the City’s Housing Element. It also includes both of the City’s assisted housing developments, the Rancho Niguel and Rancho Moulton apartments.
 Tract 626.22. This census tract is located in the northern portion of the City, generally north of El Toro Road and between Moulton Parkway and I-5. This tract includes mostly lower intensity commercial/business park uses, public uses (including the Laguna Hills Civic Center), and the Laguna Hills Estate mobile home park, an all-age mobile home community. The City’s Housing Element indicates that the Laguna Hills Estate has a higher proportion of limited English speaker populations when compared to the rest of the City. It should be noted that a large portion of this tract is located in the neighboring city of Laguna Woods, which may skew the data.  Tract 423.07. This census tract is located in the eastern-central portion of the City, generally north and east of Paseo de Valencia and between Los Alisos Boulevard and La Paz Road. This tract consists mostly of single-family residential uses, but also includes commercial and multifamily residential uses, including the Alicia Village and Alicia Plaza apartments.

While other census tracts within the City had lower overall SVI scores than the four tracts identified above, concentrations of vulnerable populations may still occur. For instance,

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Census Tract 626.48 includes The Willows, an age-restricted retirement community.

Smaller concentrations of vulnerable populations may also occur at medical facilities, including but not limited to: Saddleback Valley Medical center, located in the northern portion of the City near Paseo de Valencia and El Toro Road; and MemorialCare Laguna Hills, located in the southern portion of the City near Moulton Parkway and La Paz Road.

Another indicator showing concentrations of vulnerable populations is the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities map, which shows geographic areas containing designated disadvantaged communities for the purpose of SB 535. The designation is based in part on census tracts receiving the highest 25 percent of scores according to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment’s CalEnviroScreen tool, which identifies communities experiencing disproportionate amounts of pollution, environmental degradation, and socioeconomic and public health conditions. There are no disadvantaged communities in Laguna Hills according to CalEPA’s SB 535 Disadvantaged Communities map.

Overall, the data suggest that northern Laguna Hills contains higher concentrations of vulnerable populations, likely due to the relatively higher incidence of multifamily housing, mobile homes, age-restricted living, and assisted housing developments. Areas that are less likely to have significant vulnerable populations are largely concentrated in the southern half of the City, generally located south of Alicia Parkway, Paseo de Valencia, and La Paz Road. This area is predominantly made of up of single-family residential uses and expansive green spaces. It is important to note, however, that the absence of data showing concentrations of vulnerable groups within these areas does not mean that vulnerable populations do not exist. Based on discussions with local service providers, persons with social vulnerabilities are likely to exist throughout the City, although they may not be at concentrated levels. Local service providers have seen a significant increase in the number of people in need since the COVID-19 Pandemic, including a wide range of individuals that do not fall into demographic and socioeconomic groups typically associated with social vulnerability. This suggests that while it is important to identify socially vulnerable groups and develop targeted assistance programs, it is equally important to support broad-based strategies that address the community as a whole.

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FIGURE 4-13: OVERALL SVI
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022 database California, accessed June 26, 2024.

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FIGURE 4-14: SOCIOECONOMIC SVI
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022 database California, accessed June 26, 2024.

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FIGURE 4-15: HOUSEHOLD CHARACTERISTICS
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022 database California, accessed June 26, 2024.

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FIGURE 4-16: RACIAL AND ETHNIC MINORITY STATUS
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022 database California, accessed June 26, 2024.

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FIGURE 4-17: HOUSING TYPE/TRANSPORTATION
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC/ATSDR Social Vulnerability Index 2022 database California, accessed June 26, 2024.

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4.3.5 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT

DAM/RESERVOIR FAILURE
The portions of the City located within a dam inundation area are generally limited to the northernmost portion of the City in the area south of Lake Forest Drive and Irvine Center Drive, and a small area along the eastern boundary of the City, adjacent to the I-5 Freeway. There are no critical structures (buildings) located within a dam inundation area. As shown in Table 4-19, Critical Facilities in a Dam Inundation Areas, three critical facilities are located with dam inundation areas. These include the Canada Channel bridge, which spans Canada Channel and a sewer lift station.

TABLE 4-19: CRITICAL FACILITIES IN A DAM INUNDATION AREAS Map # Facility Type Owner/Responsible
Agency
Total Loss
Potential
Critical Facilities
19 Valencia Lift Station Sewer MNWD $5,000,0001
31 Canada Channel (55C0191) Transportation City
32 Canada Channel (55C0549) Transportation City
Note: Total Loss Potential includes estimated replacement and content values, if applicable. If not provided, values are not currently available.

1. Orange County Regional Water and Wastewater Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, August 2019.

The areas of the City identified as having the potential for inundation associated with a dam/reservoir failure primarily consist of non-residential areas (primarily open space, rights-of-way and sites developed with commercial, office, and surface parking uses), with the exception of the northwestern portion of the City, which includes a small portion of a residential neighborhood. Inundation mapping for Veeh Dam indicates the most significant inundation depths would occur within Canada Channel with some inundation extending north of the channel. Inundation north of the channel and east of Mill Creek Drive would extend to commercial, office, and industrial structures within approximately 20 minutes. North of the channel and west of Mill Creek Drive, a potential inundation depth of 0-1 feet could extend into the residential neighborhood with an arrival time between 20 and 30 minutes; however, the inundation area is contained within the residential roadway and does not extend to the residential structures. The inundation could temporarily limit access to a small portion of the neighborhood. Overall, major roadways providing access to the residential neighborhood would not be impacted.

According to the American Community Survey estimates (2017-2021), the potential inundation area in the City (census tracts 626.52 and 626.22) is shown to have census tracts with a relatively low-to-moderate percentage of population with a disability (13

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percent and 28.2 percent, respectively); low-to-moderate percentage of single-parent female-headed households with children (19.1 percent and 26.9 percent); lower percentage of households with children under 18 (20.5 percent and 2.4 percent); and lower-to-moderate percentage of overcrowded households (6 percent and 0 percent).

This area also contains households with median incomes just below the Housing and Community Development (HCD) State Median Income of $111,300 (median household income is $106,673 for tract 626.52 and $49,710 for tract 626.22), and a higher percentage of renter households with gross rents 30 percent or more of household income (71.3 percent for tract 626.52 and 48.5 percent for tract 626.22). Since the inundation areas and associated depths of inundation are primarily limited to rights-of-way and access would continue to be provided within the area, residents residing within the area would likely not be significantly vulnerable. There is the potential that lower-income households and households experiencing housing costs as a greater percentage of their income directly within the area of roadway inundation could be susceptible to cost burden with limited income and resources and may experience greater difficulties in the event they need to leave the area for an extended period of time.

Inundation mapping for Rossmoor No. 1 Dam indicates a fairly fast arrival time to the area north and south of Ridge Route Drive and east of Moulton Parkway, and extending to Veeh Reservoir. The inundation area north of Ridge Route is located within the City of Laguna Hills; however, there is no development within these areas. Although a portion of Ridge Route Drive would be inundated, other roadways would be available.

The California Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams provides condition assessments for dams within California. Veeh Reservoir and Rossmoor No. Dam have a current rating of “Satisfactory”. A satisfactory rating is defined as follows:

No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

Typical Circumstances:
• No existing deficiencies or potentially unsafe conditions are recognized, with the exception of minor operational and maintenance items that require attention.
• Safe performance is expected under all loading conditions including the design earthquake and design flood.

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• Permanent risk reduction measures (reservoir restrictions, spillway modifications, operating procedures, etc.) have been implemented to eliminate identified deficiencies.

Although there is the potential for some downstream roadways within Laguna Hills to be affected by dams and reservoirs located outside of the City, residences and businesses would continue to be accessible via other roadways outside of the potential inundation areas. Further, the areas of potential inundation within the City are located at a significant distance from the dams and/or reservoirs; thus, the time of arrival (i.e., greater than one hour) provides opportunity for warning and proactive closure of portions of roadways within inundation areas.

As discussed in Section 3.5, minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years; thus, vulnerabilities to dam/reservoir failure have remained similar over that time period. Future residential and mixed-use development is anticipated to occur primarily within the UVSP, North Business Park, Via Lomas, and Alicia Gateway areas. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur within these areas.

This could result in additional housing units or non-residential construction occurring within the dam inundation area in the northern portion of the City; however, future growth within these areas is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with dam/reservoir failure. Future development projects would be subject to applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including the latest iteration of the Building Code and City’s flood management ordinance, that would decrease vulnerability associated with dam/reservoir failure.

DROUGHT
Drought conditions would affect the entirety of Laguna Hills; therefore, all critical facilities and facilities of concern, businesses, and residents within the City are considered vulnerable to drought hazards. Droughts do not typically result in physical damage to buildings and infrastructure, thus critical facilities and facilities of concern are not at risk of destruction or structural failure.

Prolonged drought conditions often result in strict conservation measures, such as targeted reduction percentages or penalties for using potable water above a specific threshold. Higher rates or penalties could disproportionately impact lower-income households or residents on a fixed income. MNWD and ETWD are required to prepare and adopt Water Shortage Contingency Plans (WSCP) to prepare for and respond to

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water shortages. A water shortage, when water supply available is insufficient to meet the normally expected customer water use at a given point in time, may occur due to a number of reasons, such as drought, climate change, and catastrophic events. The WSCP serves as an operating manual to prevent catastrophic service disruptions through proactive, rather than reactive, management.

Prolonged drought conditions can also cause impacts to the environment, resulting in dead or dried vegetation, dry soils, damage to wildlife habitat, and degradation of landscape quality. These conditions can increase the vulnerability of other hazards within the community, such as wildfires.

Vulnerabilities to drought conditions within Laguna Hills are typically associated with drought conservation measures, which may include targeted reduction percentages and higher rates or penalties. As noted above, higher rates or penalties could disproportionately impact lower-income households or residents on a fixed income residing within the City. Households that earn 30 percent or less than the County’s median income (up to $47,350 for a family of four in 2024, based on HCD Income Limits) are considered “extremely low-income.” Extremely low-income (ELI) households typically consist of minimum-wage workers, seniors on fixed incomes, disabled persons, and farmworkers. Within Laguna Hills, approximately 14.1 percent of the total number of households are ELI households. ELI households represent a smaller percentage of households in Laguna Hills when compared to the County as a whole. In Laguna Hills, ELI households are more likely to be renters than owners. Based on 2016-2020 Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy (CHAS) data, ELI households comprise 10.6 percent of owner-occupied households compared to comprising 22.4 percent of renteroccupied households. ELI households are particularly susceptible to cost burden, or paying at least 30 percent of gross monthly income toward housing-related costs, reducing the ability for households to have money available for other necessities and emergency expenditures.

Some businesses, such as restaurants, can also be vulnerable to these conservation measures. The City does not have any industries typically known to utilize large amounts of water, such as farming and manufacturing.

Minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years; thus, vulnerabilities to drought have remained similar over that time period. As discussed in Section 3.5, the 2021-2029 Housing Element accommodates the City’s RHNA allocation of 1,985 housing units. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within

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the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur, resulting in additional residential and mixed-use development. However, future growth within the City is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with drought. New development would be required to install water efficient fixtures and landscaping pursuant to requirements of the City’s Municipal Code. Additionally, water suppliers take growth projections into account when planning for future water supply and have accounted for population growth in the City. UWMPs are required to be updated every five years to ensure that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs. As part of the UWMPs, a drought risk assessment assesses the reliability of water supplies by comparing projected future water demands with expected available water supplies under normal year, single dry year, and multiple dry year conditions. Because of the history of droughts within California, UWMPs are required to address reliability and provide for contingency plans in the event of drought or other water interruptions.

FLOOD
FEMA-identified flood zones within Laguna Hills are primarily located within and adjacent to creeks and channels traversing the City. As shown in Table 4-20, Critical Facilities in a 100-Year Flood Hazard Zone, there are no critical buildings located within the 100-year floodplain. With the exception of sewer lift stations, the critical facilities consist of transportation facilities – bridges that span creeks and channels and provide access to various areas of the City.

TABLE 4-20: CRITICAL FACILITIES IN A 100-YEAR FLOOD HAZARD ZONE Map # Facility Type Owner/Responsible
Agency
Total Loss
Potential
Critical Facilities
10 Mathis Lift Station Sewer ETWD $5,000,0001
17 Moulton Lift Station 1 & 2 Sewer MNWD $5,000,0001
21 Aliso Creek Bridge (55C0221L) Transportation City
22 Aliso Creek Bridge (55C0529R) Transportation City
25 Alicia Creek (55C0237) Transportation City
28 Via Lomas (55C0662) Transportation City
30 Aliso Creek (55C0220) Transportation City
31 Canada Channel (55C0191) Transportation City
32 Canada Channel (55C0549) Transportation City
33 Aliso Creek (55C0529L) Transportation City
Note: Total Loss Potential includes estimated replacement and content values, if applicable. If not provided, values are not currently available.

1. Orange County Regional Water and Wastewater Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, August 2019.

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Areas of the City within a FEMA flood zone are primarily limited to the areas immediately adjacent to the channels and creeks and do not include residences and businesses. A significant flood resulting in damage to critical transportation facilities could interfere with the ability to evacuate specific areas of the community or to provide emergency response and equipment to an area. Similarly, localized flooding of roadways can strand motorists and hinder access to and from an area. Residents with mobility challenges and those without access to transportation may have difficulty evacuating from a flood event. Seniors, persons with disabilities, and lower-income households generally experience greater mobility challenges or access limitations to personal transportation, and are transit dependent.

The special needs of the elderly are a function of their often lower or fixed incomes, disabilities or limitations, and dependency needs. Limitations associated with damaged transportation infrastructure or reduced public transit could inhibit mobility of the elderly.

According to the American Community Survey estimates (2017-2021), 18.6 percent of the total population of Laguna Hills was aged 65 or older. In the same year, roughly 27 percent of the City’s total households were senior households. According to CHAS data, over 48 percent of all senior households had extremely low, very low, or low incomes.

Disability is a physical or mental condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities. Physical disabilities can hinder mobility, as well as limit the ability to earn adequate income. The 2017-2021 American Community Survey five-year estimates show approximately 9.9 percent of Laguna Hills residents, reported having one or more disabilities. Of the Laguna Hills residents between the ages of 18 and 64 with disabilities, over one-third (36.9 percent) are not in the labor force, and an additional 7.5 percent are in the labor force but unemployed, for a total of 44.4 percent of residents between the ages of 18 and 64 with disabilities that are either not in the labor force or are in the labor force but unemployed.

As discussed previously, households that earn 30 percent or less than the County’s median income (up to $47,350 for a family of four in 2024 are considered ELI households and typically consist of minimum-wage workers, seniors on fixed incomes, and disabled persons. Within Laguna Hills, approximately 14.1 percent of the total number of households are ELI households. ELI households are particularly susceptible to cost burden, or paying at least 30 percent of gross monthly income toward housing-related costs, reducing the ability for households to have money available for other necessities and emergency expenditures, including personal transportation.

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Because the flood zones occur within and around the creeks, a flood could also result in debris flow downstream. Flooding of lift stations could result in the loss of power and the potential for system backups and untreated wastewater to spill out into adjacent areas.

A spill requires immediate clean-up response to protect public health and prevent further contamination. Localized flooding could damage homes and businesses resulting in reduced economic activity and loss of use until repair work can be completed.

Minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years and vulnerabilities to flood have remained similar over that time period. As discussed in Section 3.5, future residential and mixed-use development is anticipated to occur primarily within the UVSP, North Business Park, Via Lomas, and Alicia Gateway areas. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur within these areas.

This could result in additional housing units or non-residential construction occurring within the proximity of flood zones; however, future growth within these areas is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with flooding, as these areas are not located within areas identified as having the potential for significant flooding. Future development projects would be subject to applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including the latest iteration of the Building Code and City’s flood management ordinance, that would decrease vulnerability associated with flood hazards.

Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss
Addressing risk to repetitive loss and severe repetitive loss structures is an important step in reducing the financial impact of flooding as repetitive losses require extensive disaster management resources and high NFIP claims.

FEMA defines a repetitive loss as any NFIP-insured structure that has had at least two (2) paid flood losses of more than $1,000 each in any 10-year period since 1978. FEMA defines a severe repetitive loss as any NFIP-insured structure that has met one of the following paid flood loss criteria since 1978:
• Four (4) or more separate claim payments of more than $5,000 each (Including building and contents payments); or
• Two (2) or more separate claim payments (building payments only) where the total of the payments exceeds the current value of the property.

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The City of Laguna Hills does not have any repetitive loss or severe repetitive loss properties.

HUMAN-INDUCED HAZARDS
Human-induced hazards have the potential to affect the entirety of Laguna Hills; therefore all critical facilities and facilities of concern, business, and residents within the area are considered vulnerable to human-induced hazards. Hazardous materials spills could occur along a transportation corridor or at a specific property. Although hazardous materials could result in damages to structures, it is more likely that a hazardous material spill would result in potential health hazards or closure of roadways or areas within the community surrounding the spill. Generally, sites that are closer to the origin for the release of the hazardous materials are more at threat than those that are further away.

Residents living next to major transportation infrastructure, such as highways, rail lines, or major arterial streets, have a greater threat of being affected by a hazardous materials release since trucks, vehicles, or trains carrying quantities of hazardous materials may release their contents into the environment if the truck, vehicle, or train is involved in a collision or derailment.

Residential development is distributed throughout the City and occurs near major transportation corridors. Similarly, areas of the City having more socially vulnerable populations are distributed throughout the City with most occurring within the northern half of the City, north of Alicia Parkway. The City does not contain significant land uses that use or generate hazardous materials. Therefore, residents are not regularly exposed to environmental risks associated with non-residential development operations. As stated, it is more likely an event due to accidental release of hazardous materials would occur along a transportation corridor. Populations more susceptible to a hazardous materials spill typically include the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

As previously discussed, 18.6 percent of the total population of Laguna Hills was aged 65 or older and roughly 27 percent of the City’s total households were senior households.

Approximately 9.9 percent of Laguna Hills residents, reported having one or more disabilities. The percent of household with children under 18 years is greater within the southern portion of the City. The largest concentration of households with children under 18 years (31-40%) occurs north and south of Alicia Parkway between the I-5 freeway and Paseo de Valencia.

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It is not likely that cyber threats would have a direct physical impact on a critical facility or facility of concern. Cyber threats would more likely involve computer network infrastructure and could interfere with business operations; although individual residents may also experience cyber threats. Service and operations could be impacted in the event of a cyber-attack. The impact on socially vulnerable populations would be highly dependent upon what types of service and operations are impacted. There is the potential that if some services, such as medical, public transit, and social services are impacted to the extent that they could not operate, that the elderly, disabled, and lower-income households reliant on these services would experience significant challenges.

As described above, 18.6 percent of the total population of Laguna Hills was aged 65 or older and over 48 percent of all senior households had extremely low, very low, or low incomes. Approximately 9.9 percent of Laguna Hills residents, reported having one or more disabilities and 44.4 percent of residents between the ages of 18 and 64 with disabilities are either not in the labor force or are in the labor force but unemployed.

Households that earn 30 percent or less than the County’s median income (up to $47,350 for a family of four in 2024) are considered ELI households and typically consist of minimum-wage workers, seniors on fixed incomes, and disabled persons. Within Laguna Hills, approximately 14.1 percent of the total number of households are ELI households.

ELI households are particularly susceptible to cost burden and therefore may be more reliant on public transit and social services.

Minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years and vulnerabilities to human-induced hazards have remained similar over that time period.

As discussed in Section 3.5, future residential and mixed-use development is anticipated to occur primarily within the UVSP, North Business Park, Via Lomas, and Alicia Gateway areas. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur within these areas. This could result in additional housing units or non-residential construction near transportation infrastructure; and additional persons and businesses that may be subject to cyber threats. However, future growth within these areas is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with human-induced hazards. Police and emergency response capabilities would be expanded to maintain service standards.

Further, future development projects would be subject to applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations, which would reduce vulnerabilities associated with humaninduced hazards.

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SEISMIC AND GEOLOGIC HAZARDS
The entire City of Laguna Hills is at risk of experiencing strong ground shaking as a result of an earthquake. During a seismic event, critical facilities and facilities of concern as well as residences, businesses, and infrastructure could be damaged. The extent of damage would depend upon the location and magnitude of the earthquake.

Depending upon the damage, emergency services, communication systems, and utility services may all be hindered. Senior citizens and those with disabilities that have limited mobility may be harmed if they are unable to react quickly and seek out areas of safety from falling debris. As previously stated, 18.6 percent of the total population of Laguna Hills was aged 65 or older and roughly 27 percent of the City’s total households were senior households. According to CHAS data, over 48 percent of all senior households had extremely low, very low, or low incomes. Approximately 9.9 percent of Laguna Hills residents, reported having one or more disabilities, and a total of 44.4 percent of residents between the ages of 18 and 64 with disabilities are either not in the labor force or are in the labor force but unemployed.

In addition to mobility limitations and the potential to be harmed during an earthquake, some populations may experience significant challenges in the event their homes are damaged and require repairs or displacement due to the extent of damages.

Approximately 15.7 percent of the City’s housing stock was constructed after 1990, while

84.3 percent of the housing stock in Laguna Hills was constructed before 1989. Although a majority of the City’s housing stock is not considered substandard or in need of rehabilitation or replacement, there is the potential for large portions of the housing stock to be susceptible to damage associated with a more significant earthquake.

Within Laguna Hills, approximately 14.1 percent of the total number of households are ELI households. ELI households are particularly susceptible to cost burden, or paying at least 30 percent of gross monthly income toward housing-related costs, reducing the ability for households to have money available for other necessities and emergency expenditures, including structural repairs are relocation funding in the event their home becomes unlivable.

Further, extended interruptions in services, including power outages, would disproportionately affect people with medical conditions requiring power for medical equipment. Depending upon the extent of damage, businesses could be closed and experience economic losses.

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Portions of the City are also at risk for seismic-induced landslides and liquefaction. Table 4-21, Critical Facilities in a Landslide Zone and Table 4-22, Critical Facilities in a Liquefaction Zone, identify the critical facilities located within landslide and liquefaction zones, respectively.

TABLE 4-21: CRITICAL FACILITIES IN A LANDSLIDE ZONE
Map # Facility Type Owner/Responsible
Agency
Total Loss
Potential
Critical Facilities
29 Oso Parkway (55C0056) Transportation Caltrans Not Available Note: Total Loss Potential includes estimated replacement and content values, if applicable. If not provided, values are not currently available.

TABLE 4-22: CRITICAL FACILITIES IN A LIQUEFACTION ZONE
Map # Facility Type Owner/Responsible
Agency
Total Loss
Potential
Critical Facilities
9 MNWD Headquarters Water/Wastewater
Headquarters
MNWD
11 Veeh Lift Station Sewer ETWD $5,000,0001
17 Moulton Lift Station 1 & 2 Sewer MNWD $5,000,0001
21 Aliso Creek Bridge
(55C0221L)
Transportation City
22 Aliso Creek Bridge
(55C0529R)
Transportation City
23 Aliso Creek (55C0221R) City
25 Alicia Creek (55C0237) Transportation City
26 Aliso Hills Creek Equestrian
(55C0238)
Transportation City
27 La Paz Equestrian
(55C0239)
Transportation City
28 Via Lomas (55C0662) Transportation City
30 Aliso Creek (55C0220) Transportation City
31 Canada Channel
(55C0191)
Transportation City
32 Canada Channel
(55C0549)
Transportation City
33 Aliso Creek (55C0529L) Transportation City
Facilities of Concern
7 Laguna Hills Transportation
Center
Transportation OCTA
Note: Total Loss Potential includes estimated replacement and content values, if applicable. If not provided, values are not currently available.

1. Orange County Regional Water and Wastewater Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, August 2019.

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Landslides can damage structures and block roadways causing long-term disruptions to the roadway network, infrastructure systems and City capabilities. Underground utility lines in slide-prone areas can be damaged in a landslide, causing service outages.

Liquefaction can also damage buildings and infrastructure, including pipelines within soils subject to liquefaction. Damage to transportation infrastructure can impede access and hinder emergency response and evacuation. Damaged utilities can result in service interruptions or complete outages. Lower income households, those on fixed incomes, and those with mobility challenges or no access to transportation may have difficulty evacuating an area and may have more difficulty in the event of displacement.

The areas identified as having the potential for landslide susceptibility primarily occur within the southern half of the City associated with the hillsides and steeper slopes or around existing creeks and channels. These areas have not been identified as having socially vulnerable populations. Areas with the potential for liquefaction hazards within the City primarily occur adjacent to the creeks and channels. A small portion of a residential area within the northwestern portion of the City and an area adjacent to Alicia Parkway near the City’s western boundary, identified as having increased social vulnerability, are shown to be susceptible to landslides and liquefaction. These areas are shown to have households with incomes just below the HCD State Median Income of $111,300, and a higher percent of renter households with gross rents 30% or more of household income. Thus, within these areas, vulnerable populations are primarily associated with lower-income households and households experiencing housing costs as a greater percentage of their income. These households could be susceptible to cost burden with limited income and resources and may experience greater difficulties in the event they need to leave the area for an extended period in the event their residence experiences damage associated with landslide or liquefaction activity.

Minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years; vulnerabilities to seismic and geologic hazards have remained similar over that time period. Construction within the City has taken geologic conditions, including landslideand liquefaction-susceptibility into consideration. As discussed in Section 3.5, future residential and mixed-use development is anticipated to occur primarily within the UVSP, North Business Park, Via Lomas, and Alicia Gateway areas. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur within these areas, including residential and non-residential development. However, future growth within these areas is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with seismic and geologic hazards, as future development projects would be subject to applicable

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federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including the Building Code, which would reduce vulnerabilities associated with these hazards.

SEVERE WEATHER
A severe weather event, such as heavy rains, Santa Ana winds, and extreme heat conditions, could affect the entire City of Laguna Hills; therefore all critical facilities and facilities of concern, business, and residents within the area are considered vulnerable to severe weather hazards. Heavy rain can damage structures if the roof is compromised or drainage systems overflow and cause flooding. Landslides, slope instability, and mudflows can also occur along slopes and along creeks and channels. Flooding of roadways can also occur, stranding vehicles and limiting emergency access and response. Santa Ana wind events can damage structures, particularly from falling trees or branches or potential debris that is carried by the wind. Extreme heat events do not typically result in damage to structures. However, these events can place greater demand on the power system and result in power outages that can impact residents and businesses. Young children, the elderly, or people suffering from serious medical conditions are physiologically more vulnerable to heatstroke. People requiring the use of medical equipment with a power source could be impacted. Additionally, people experiencing homelessness are also at higher risk of health complications during an extreme heat event. Lower-income households or those with limited mobility may be unable to acquire or seek out cooling devices without significant advance preparations.

This can be further compounded by the threat of Public Safety Power Shutoff events.

During these events, extreme heat impacts may affect larger portions of the City and populations that wouldn’t be viewed as vulnerable under normal circumstances.

The impact on socially vulnerable populations would be dependent upon the event and what types of facilities, services, and operations are impacted. There is the potential that if some services, such as medical, public transit, and social services are impacted to the extent that they could not operate, that the elderly, disabled, and lower-income households reliant on these services would experience significant challenges. These populations would also be more vulnerable to extreme heat events, as they may not have access to air conditioning or the financial means to provide air conditioning for extended periods of time. Some people may be required to work outside or travel via walking or public transit which could increase their exposure to the elements. Extended exposure to extreme heat could result in severe medical conditions.

As described above, 18.6 percent of the total population of Laguna Hills was aged 65 or older and over 48 percent of all senior households had extremely low, very low, or low

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incomes. Approximately 9.9 percent of Laguna Hills residents, reported having one or more disabilities and 44.4 percent of residents between the ages of 18 and 64 with disabilities are either not in the labor force or are in the labor force but unemployed.

ELI households are particularly susceptible to cost burden and therefore may not have the financial means or the existing resources to alleviate extreme heat conditions, or address damage that could occur from significant rain and Santa Ana wind events.

Minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years and has not exacerbated vulnerabilities related to severe weather. As discussed in Section 3.5, the 2021-2029 Housing Element accommodates the City’s RHNA allocation of 1,985 housing units. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur, resulting in additional residential and mixed-use development. Future growth in the City is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with severe weather.

WILDFIRE AND URBAN FIRES
The City is not located within very high or high fire hazard zones. However, portions of the City are located adjacent to fire hazard zones and are identified as within a wildlandurban interface (WUI). Table 4-23, Critical Facilities in Wildland-Urban Interface, identifies those facilities located within these areas. Typically, the WUI is impacted if adequate fuels are combined with dry conditions and strong winds.

TABLE 4-23: CRITICAL FACILITIES IN WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE Map # Facility Type Owner/Responsible
Agency
Total Loss
Potential
Critical Facilities
11 Veeh Lift Station Sewer ETWD $5,000,0001
31 Canada Channel
(55C0191)
Transportation City
Facilities of Concern
3 Florence Sylvester Memorial
Senior Center
Community Age Well Services,
Inc.

Note: Total Loss Potential includes estimated replacement and content values, if applicable. If not provided, values are not currently available.

1. Orange County Regional Water and Wastewater Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, August 2019.

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Wildfires can impact structures and also impact people, especially in the event of an evacuation. Seniors and persons with disabilities may have limited mobility and therefore evacuation may be a greater challenge. Persons with disabilities may require special mobility devices or caregiver assistance to evacuate. Other groups with increased threat levels include people with lower-incomes, renters, and the homeless. These groups may not possess enough financial resources to rebuild their homes or search for new homes in the event of evacuation or damage resulting from a wildfire.

Depending upon the location and extent of the fire, transportation routes could be impaired or inaccessible, which could impede evacuation and hinder emergency response. Evacuation and shelter areas may not be available to evacuees depending upon the location of the wildfire. Wildfires within the area, even if not within the City can also impact people’s health due to the poor air quality. Senior citizens, youth, and people with preexisting medical conditions are most at risk. Utility systems could be damaged or interrupted. Controlled and proactive power outages are highly likely during a wildfire event to reduce the risk for additional fires to be initiated. These power outages can extend beyond the area of the fire.

Similar to severe weather conditions, the impact on socially vulnerable populations within Laguna Hills would be dependent upon the event, location, and severity. A wildfire or urban fire could directly damage residences, businesses, service providers, transportation and utility infrastructure, or cause services to be impacted. Direct impacts to these facilities would greatly impact those that may not have the financial means to address the damage, cannot relocate to other areas, do not have alternative transportation options, or have medical conditions that limit their mobility and could result in greater health-related impacts. Within Laguna Hills, this would include the elderly, disabled, and those households with lower incomes, as previously described.

Minimal new development has occurred in the City over the past five years. This development has occurred as infill in existing urbanized areas; thus, vulnerabilities to wildfire have remained similar over that time period. As discussed in Section 3.5, future residential and mixed-use development is anticipated to occur primarily as infill development within the UVSP, North Business Park, Via Lomas, and Alicia Gateway areas.

These areas are not identified as very high or high fire hazard severity zones. Additionally, these areas are developed with existing urban uses and not located adjacent to WUI areas. While it is unlikely that all anticipated growth would occur within the five-year period of this LHMP, the City anticipates some level of population growth to occur within these areas, including residential and non-residential development. However, future

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growth within these areas is not expected to substantially increase vulnerabilities associated with wildfire and urban fires, as future development projects would be subject to applicable federal, State, and local laws and regulations, including the Fire Code, which would reduce vulnerabilities.

SUMMARY OF VULNERABILITY
The CDC SVI uses Census data to determine the social vulnerability of every Census tract and ranks each tract on 16 variables, including poverty, lack of vehicle access, and crowded housing. Most of Laguna Hills is identified as having low vulnerability with a portion of the City identified as low to moderate vulnerability. A smaller portion of the City is located within a Census Tract identified as Moderate to High social vulnerability.

Overall, FEMA’s National Risk Index identifies Orange County as having a Risk Index rating of Very High when compared to the rest of the United States. The Risk Index components include a rating of very high for expected annual loss; relatively moderate for social vulnerability, and very low for community resilience.

For the census tracts comprising Laguna Hills, the Risk Index rating ranges from relatively low to relatively high. Generally lower risk areas are within the southern portion of the City and higher risk areas are within the northern portion of the City. Expected annual losses range, from relatively low to relatively high with the highest losses throughout the City attributed to earthquakes.

Table 4-24, Risk Assessment Summary, shows a summary of critical facilities and facilities of concern that intersect with hazard areas in the City. Those facilities that intersect with a hazard area are indicated with a “Y” and a red-shaded cell. Critical facilities and facilities of concern that do not fall within the hazard area are designated with an “N” and a green-shaded cell. The risks of drought, human-induced hazards, ground shaking, and severe weather are considered to have the potential to impact the entire community.

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TABLE 4-24: RISK ASSESSMENT SUMMARY
Map
ID Name
Dam/
Reservoir Failure
Drought
Flood
Human-Induced
Hazards
Ground Shaking
Landslides
Liquefaction
Severe Weather
Wildland-Urban
Interface
Critical Facilities
1 Laguna Hills City Hall/Civic
Center (City Hall, Police) N Y N Y Y N N Y N
2 Laguna Hills Community
Center & Sports Complex N Y N Y Y N N Y N
3 Florence Sylvester Memorial
Senior Center N Y N Y Y N N Y Y
5 OCFA Station 22 N Y N Y Y N N Y N
6 Memorial Care Saddleback
Medical Center N Y N Y Y N N Y N
10 Mathis Lift Station N Y Y Y Y N N Y N
11 Veeh Lift Station N Y N Y Y N Y Y Y
12 Aliso Hills Reservoir N Y N Y Y N N Y N
13 Casa De Oso Pump Station N Y N Y Y N N Y N
14 La Paz Underground Pump
Station N Y N Y Y N N Y N
15 Mathis Pump Station N Y N Y Y N N Y N
16 Mathis Reservoir 1 & 2 N Y N Y Y N N Y N
17 Moulton Lift Station 1 & 2 N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
18 Nellie Gail Reservoir N Y N Y Y N N Y N
19 Valencia Lift Station Y Y N Y Y N N Y N
20 Valencia Pump Station 1 & 2 N Y N Y Y N N Y N
21 Aliso Creek Bridge
(55C0221L) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
22 Aliso Creek Bridge
(55C0529R) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
23 Aliso Creek (55C0221R) N Y N Y Y N Y Y N
24 Narco Channel (55C0495) N Y N Y Y N N Y N
25 Alicia Creek (55C0237) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
26 Aliso Hills Creek Equestrian
(55C0238) N Y N Y Y N Y Y N
27 La Paz Equestrian (55C0239) N Y N Y Y N Y Y N
28 Via Lomas (55C0662) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
29 Oso Parkway (55C0056) N Y N Y Y Y N Y N
30 Aliso Creek (55C0220) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
31 Canada Channel (55C0191) Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y
32 Canada Channel (55C0549) Y Y Y Y Y N Y Y N
33 Aliso Creek (55C0529L) N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N

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Map
ID Name
Dam/
Reservoir Failure
Drought
Flood
Human-Induced
Hazards
Ground Shaking
Landslides
Liquefaction
Severe Weather
Wildland-Urban
Interface
Facilities of Concern
4 Laguna Hills Technology
Library N Y N Y Y N N Y N
7 Laguna Hills Transportation
Center N Y N Y Y N Y Y N
8 Laguna Hills High School N Y N Y Y N N Y N
9 MNWD Headquarters N Y N Y Y N Y Y N

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Section 5.0 | Hazard Mitigation
Strategy
Hazard mitigation strategies are used to reduce hazard impacts on residents, public infrastructure, and critical facilities. The hazard mitigation actions will help to protect the safety and well-being of residents and visitors, critical facilities, facilities of concern, other buildings and structures, key services, the local economy, and other important community assets. Some actions will also help with emergency preparedness, allowing for a more effective community response to hazard events. Preparedness actions are not a required component of an LHMP, but they support and complement mitigation activities, and the Planning Team chose to include them as part of the overall hazard mitigation strategy.

This section of the LHMP is derived from an in-depth review of the vulnerabilities and capabilities described in this plan. Overall, the actions represent the City’s risk-based approach for reducing and/or eliminating the potential losses as identified in the Risk and Vulnerability Assessment section.

5.1 CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT
As part of the effort to identify mitigation actions, a capabilities assessment was prepared. This capabilities assessment is designed to identify existing personnel, planning tools, public policy and programs, technology, and funds that have the capability to support hazard mitigation activities and strategies outlined in this plan. To create this capability assessment, the Planning Team identified capabilities and mechanisms available to the City and partner agencies for reducing damage from future hazard events. The capabilities were reviewed in the context of developing the mitigation actions.

The capabilities assessment considered the following types of resources:
 Planning and regulatory capabilities are based on the implementation of ordinances, policies, local laws and State statutes, and plans and programs that relate to guiding and managing growth and development.
 Administrative and technical capabilities refer to the community’s staff and their skills and tools that can be used for mitigation planning and to implement specific

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mitigation actions. It also refers to the ability to access and coordinate these resources effectively.
 Financial capabilities are the resources that a jurisdiction has access to or is eligible to use to fund mitigation actions.
 Education and outreach capabilities are programs and methods already in place that could be used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazardrelated information.

Table 5-1, Capabilities Assessment, summarizes the capabilities assessment for Laguna Hills.

TABLE 5-1: CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT
Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
Planning & Regulatory
General Plan
Responsible Department:

City of Laguna Hills
Community Development
Department, Planning Division
The Laguna Hills General Plan establishes the overall vision for future growth and development. As a blueprint for the future, the plan contains policies and programs designed to provide a solid basis for decisions related to land use and
development. The General Plan provides the framework for the implementation of the LHMP mitigation actions. The Safety Element identifies hazards that could impact the community and establishes policy for the preparation and update of the LHMP. The City has incorporated by reference the City of Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into its General Plan Safety Element to ensure compliance with AB 2140, making the City eligible for additional funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA). As future General Plan Updates occur, hazard information will be updated to reflect current
conditions, including updated mapping and assessments of hazards to be considered when determining the placement and development of land uses.

Zoning Ordinance
Responsible Department:

Community Development
Department
The Laguna Hills Zoning Code implements the General Plan by establishing regulations for land use control within the City, including where and how development occurs. Zoning is used to protect the public health, safety and welfare of a
community. The City can use the Zoning Code to implement mitigation actions to reduce risks associated with future development. The Zoning Ordinance is incorporated into
Municipal Code as Title 9.

Subdivision Ordinance
Responsible Department:

Community Development
Department
The City’s subdivision ordinance regulates development of housing, commercial, industrial or other uses, including associated public infrastructure, as land is subdivided into buildable lots. The subdivision ordinance can ensure future subdivisions account for the risk of hazards on future
development. The Subdivision Ordinance is included as
Chapter 9-86 of the City Municipal Code.

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Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
Building Code
Responsible Department:

Community Development
Department
The Building Code regulates how buildings are constructed.

The City adopts the State Building Code with amendments, as applicable. Mitigation actions to construct buildings to safer standards to better resist damage during a hazard event could be considered as part of future building code updates. The Building Code is incorporated as Chapter 10-28 of the
Municipal Code.

National Flood Insurance
Program
Responsible Department:

Community Development
Department
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides
affordable flood insurance to property owners, renters and businesses by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. The City of Laguna Hills participates in the NFIP. The City complies with floodplain regulations and utilizes this information as development is proposed.

Capital Improvement
Program
Responsible Department:

Public Works
The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is established to provide for the planning, funding, design, construction, maintenance and repair of City facilities and infrastructure.

The CIP is a "roadmap" that provides direction and guidance to the City to carefully plan and manage its capital and infrastructure assets. Typical improvement and maintenance projects included within the CIP include streets, signals, and lighting; flood control and water quality; parks; and public facilities. The City can use the CIP to identify priority projects for hazard mitigation.

OC Stormwater Program
Responsible Agency:

County of Orange, Orange
County Flood Control District
The OC Stormwater Program is designed to avoid flooding associated with stormwater runoff. It focuses on design and construction measures that are intended to reduce the impact of frequent urban nuisance flooding. The program includes mitigation actions to address flooding associated with hazard events.

City of Laguna Hills Local
Implementation Plan
(Jurisdictional Runoff
Management Plan)
Responsible Department:

Public Works
This plan addresses the impacts to creeks, rivers, streams, and coastal waters that can arise from the imprint of urban development on the landscape. This plan describes the
activities that the City is undertaking to meet the requirements of the Fifth Term Permit and to protect and improve the quality of the creeks, streams, and coastal waters within the urban areas of the San Juan Hydrologic Unit, also referred to as the South Orange County Watershed Management Area (WMA)
to which the City contributes runoff.

Urban Water Management
Plan
Responsible Agencies:

Moulton Niguel Water District
(MNWD) &
El Toro Water District (ETWD)
MNWD and ETWD prepare Urban Water Management Plans
(UWMP) every five years. An UWMP provides long-term
resource planning to ensure that adequate water supplies are available to meet existing and future water needs. UWMP addresses drought conditions and the ability to provide water to its customers. The UWMP can be used to coordinate and implement mitigation actions associated with drought and water supply reliability.

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Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
Integrated Regional Water
Management Plan for South
Orange County
The South Orange County Integrated Regional Water
Management Plan (IRWMP) has been developed from, and
coordinates with, existing plans and research documents provided by the participating agencies in a manner that identifies and integrates regional projects to improve water supply, protect water quality, enhance the environment, and provide flood risk management. This Plan establishes a priority ranking to help further regional efforts to investigate the feasibility of, and identify funding for, these projects. Individual projects, however will go through the appropriate
environmental review and permitting process as funding is secured. The IRWMP can be used to coordinate and
implement mitigation actions associated with drought and water supply reliability.

Mutual Aid Agreements
Responsible Agencies:

City of Laguna Hills,
Orange County Fire Authority
(OCFA),
Orange County Sheriff’s
Department (OCSD)
The City and its public safety providers maintain agreements with emergency responders to lend assistance across
jurisdictional boundaries when an emergency response
exceeds local resources. Access to these resources provides opportunities to implement mitigation actions to reduce damage and risk of injury during an event. It also provides for collaboration and sharing of information specific to hazards. • Fire – Federal, State, and local agreements
• Police – State and local agreements
• City – State and county agreements
Orange County Emergency
Operations Center
Responsible Agency:

County of Orange
The Orange County Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
functions as the communication and coordination center for both the County and Operational Area emergency response organization and disaster preparedness, providing a central point for coordinating operational, administrative, and support needs of the county and Operational Area Members. It also assists in coordination and communication between Mutual Aid Coordinators and the State Office of Emergency Services during county-wide and State-wide emergency response and recovery operations. The OC EOC can be used to gather and process information to and from the County, cities, school and special districts, business and industry, volunteer organizations, individuals, and State and federal government agencies. It has the ability to function as a virtual EOC so that Operational Area Members may communicate between EOCs without colocation. WebEOC is a crisis information management system and provides secure real-time information sharing. Accurate and timely communication is critical during a hazard event and can reduce more significant damage and injury.

Mitigation actions specific to communications and information can be implemented through the communication systems
and response efforts to reduce risk of injury and damage.

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Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
2021 County of Orange &
Orange County Fire Authority
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Responsible Agencies:

County of Orange & OCFA
The 2021 County of Orange & Orange County Fire Authority Hazard Mitigation Plan establishes public policy to protect residents, critical facilities infrastructure, private property and the environment from hazards in the unincorporated areas of the County and County-owned facilities and ensure the
County’s continued eligibility for disaster relief funds from the Federal and State Governments.

County of Orange & Orange
County Operational Area
EOP: Flood, Dam, and
Reservoir Failure
Responsible Agencies:

Orange County Emergency
Management Organization
(OCEMO), OCFA, OCSD,
This plan provides an overview of the threat and the existing plans, procedures and response protocols within the County and OA that would be implemented in the event of a flood, dam or reservoir failure event within Orange County. The County of Orange has constructed a vast network of flood control channels, dams, retarding basins, pump stations and monitoring equipment. Dam and Reservoir operators have in place Emergency Actions Plans (EAP) to serve as standard operating and notification procedures should an emergency occur.

County of Orange & Orange
County Operational Area
EOP: Joint Information System
Annex
Responsible Agencies:

Orange County Emergency
Management Organization
(OCEMO), Orange County
Sheriff’s Department,
Emergency Management
Division (EMD)
This plan establishes the system by which the County and Operational Area (OA) will conduct the public information function and services during an emergency. It is meant to facilitate the collaboration required by the multiple
organizations and jurisdictions that will implement the Joint Information System (JIS) and staff the Joint Information Center (JIC) to provide timely, accurate, wide-reaching and simple to understand crisis communications to both the media and the public. EMD will make the Joint Information System Annex available to all county departments, Operational Area
jurisdictions, the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and other partner organizations as necessary and upon request.

County of Orange & Orange
County Operational Area
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
(LHMP)
Responsible Agencies:

Orange County Emergency
Management Organization
(OCEMO), OCFA
The LHMP promotes sound public policy designed to protect residents, critical facilities, infrastructure, key resources, private property, and the environment from natural hazards in
unincorporated areas, fire hazards in the Fire Authority service area, and County and Fire Authority owned facilities. This LHMP is a multi-jurisdiction plan developed jointly between the County of Orange, a local government, and the Orange
County Fire Authority, a Joint Powers Authority. Because of the unique relationship between the two jurisdictions, OCFA has been comprehensively integrated into the County's
emergency organization.

Unified County of Orange &
Orange County Operational
Area Emergency Operations
Plan
Responsible Agencies:

The EOP provides guidance and procedures for the County and the County as the OA to prepare for and respond to
natural, technological, conflict-related, and human-caused incidents creating situations requiring a coordinated response.

It provides guidance for management concepts, identifies organizational structures and relationships and describes

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Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
Orange County Sheriff’
Department, Emergency
Management Division (EMD)
responsibilities and functions of the emergency organization to protect life and property. The EOP is applicable to all agencies and individuals having responsibilities for emergency
preparedness, response, recovery and/or mitigation in Orange County; this includes but may not be limited to the County, cities, school districts, special districts, utilities, non-government organizations, and State and Federal agencies. Each
organization identified in this EOP is responsible for, and expected to develop, implement, and test policies,
procedures, instructions, and standard operating guides (SOGs) or checklists that reflect cognizance of the emergency management concepts contained herein.

Orange County Regional
Water and Wastewater
Hazard Mitigation Plan
Responsible Agencies:

Orange County Water District,
Municipal Water District of
Orange County, individual
member agencies, including
ETWD and MNWD
The Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) provides a framework for participating water and wastewater utilities to plan for natural and man-made hazards in Orange County. The resources and information within the Plan allow participating jurisdictions, such as ETWD and MNWD, to identify and prioritize future mitigation projects, meet the requirements of federal
assistance programs and grant applications, and encourage coordination and collaboration in meeting mitigation goals.

The HMP gives participating agencies the opportunity to focus on risk as it applies specifically to these services and not all of their jurisdiction’s services. As participating jurisdictions, ETWD and MNWD have individual annexes that describe the
hazards, assess the vulnerabilities, identify the capabilities and describe mitigation strategies specific to that agency.

Orange County Fire Authority
2020 Unit Strategic Fire Plan
Responsibly Agency:

OCFA
Orange County’s Unit Strategic Fire Plan was first
collaboratively developed as a planning and assessment tool in 2010, in conjunction with key stakeholders and partner organizations, with the goal of reducing total government costs and citizen losses from wildfire in Orange County. This plan addresses such topics as firefighter and public safety, Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) challenges, impactful costeffective solutions, community preparedness, prioritization, collaborative partnerships, program, project and policy evaluation and adaptability.

Laguna Hills Urban Wildfire
Interface (WUI) Fire Plan
Responsible Agency:

OCFA
The WUI Fire Plan provides risk assessment matrix, tactical plans, and various maps regarding fire hazard mitigation operations.

Recommended strategies and tactics, and evacuation plans, for varying situations are also presented. This plan identifies how local and regional agencies are to work together to eliminate fire hazards.

Water Shortage Contingency
Plan
Responsible Agency:

ETWD, MNWD
The Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) is a strategic planning document designed to prepare for and respond to water shortages. This plan is used to o prevent catastrophic service disruptions through proactive, rather than reactive, management. This WSCP provides a structured guide for the

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District to deal with water shortages, incorporating prescriptive information and standardized action levels, along with
implementation actions in the event of a catastrophic supply interruption.

Weed Abatement Fire
Reduction Program
Responsible Agencies:

City of Laguna Hills, OCFA
The City of Laguna Hills conducts an annual weed abatement program designed to reduce fire hazards during the summer season. The weed abatement program is done in accordance with Government Code Section 39560, et.seq., and the
Orange County Fire Authority standards. Assessment and
integration of the Plan can be tailored to address localized conditions, such as drought conditions and increased wildfire threat.

Wildfire Mitigation Plan
Update
Responsible Agencies:

SCE & SDG&E
Electrical corporations are required to prepare and submit Wildfire Mitigation Plans (WMPs) to the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety for review and approval. WMPs describe how the electrical corporation is constructing, maintaining, and operating its electrical lines and equipment in a manner that will minimize the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Administrative & Technical
General Government The General Government Department consists of the legislative, executive, and administrative oversight of all City operations. All expenditures and activities related to the City Council, City Manager, City Attorney, City Clerk, and
Administrative Services are included in this Department. The Department is also responsible for the City's economic
development efforts.

Community Development
Department
The Community Development Department provides planning, code enforcement, building and safety, and receptionist functions for the City and is organized into two divisions:

Planning and Building and Safety.

Public Safety Department Public Safety includes (in part) Emergency Management, Fire Services provided by OCFA, and Police Services provided by OCSD. Emergency Management supports citizens, first
responders, and City staff in building and sustaining the City's ability to mitigate, prepare, protect, respond, and recover from the effects of natural and human-caused disasters. As a division of Police Services, staff works closely with the OCSD Emergency Management Division, OCFA, OC Health Care
Agency, American Red Cross, and surrounding cities and
county departments and agencies to provide preparedness and coordination during a disaster. The OCSD provides police protection services and OCFA provides fire protection services to the City. Both OCSD and OCFA also provide community
programs and education campaigns. The Public Safety
Department is a key component of implementing mitigation actions, including but not limited to, coordinating and communicating with the public and other agencies, ensuring

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safe and efficient evacuations, if necessary, providing or participating in public education and preparedness activities that support mitigation of risks, reducing wildfire risks and enforcing fire-related requirements.

Public Works Department The Public Works Department is responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of public facilities including public streets, traffic signals, storm drains, parks, and landscaping. The Public Works Department deals with
mitigation actions pertaining to public facilities, maintenance of transportation systems, maintenance of storm drain systems, maintenance and removal of tree limbs or debris.

General Government
Department; Finance Division
The Finance Division of the General Government Department manages the financial operation of the City in conformity with generally accepted accounting standards and principles, and in compliance with federal and state laws. Finance is
committed to developing and maintaining a proficient
financial planning and reporting system, in order to provide the City Council, City Manager and other City officials with financial information on a timely and meaningful manner. The division dutifully establishes and maintains efficient and effective internal control policies and procedures to safeguard the City's assets and manage its resources.

Community Development
Department; Building & Safety
Division
The Building and Safety Division is responsible for the building and safety standards for the design, construction, use, and occupancy, of all buildings and structures within the City of Laguna Hills. The Building & Safety Division works closely with Planning, Engineering Services of Public Works, Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and other related departments to offer you the best care and services. The division issues permits and performs plan reviews and inspections for building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, solar, and Certificate of Use and Occupancy. Our permit process helps ensure the safety of the general public and tenant occupants.

Public Safety Department;
Emergency Management
Division
The Emergency Management division works closely with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Emergency
Management Division, Orange County Fire Authority, Orange County Health Care Agency, American Red Cross, other
county departments and agencies, and surrounding cities in order to provide the highest possible level of preparedness and coordination when disaster strikes.

Community Emergency
Preparedness Academy
The City of Laguna Hills hosts a Community Emergency
Preparedness Academy once per year. This academy teaches participants basic emergency and disaster preparedness skills, so they will be able to take care of themselves and their families and also be able to help others in the event of an emergency or in the hours and days following a communityPage 220 of 542 Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
wide disaster. The academy is available for Laguna Hills residents and is free of charge.

Emergency Response Team Laguna Hills staff are on-call as part of their employment agreement and are trained through FEMA, along with OCFA and OCSD. Any mitigation pertaining to training, education, and communication will likely involve staff.

Moulton Niguel Water District
&
El Toro Water District
Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD) & El Toro Water District (ETWD) provide water and wastewater service to the City.

MNWD and ETWD are part of the Orange County Regional
Water and Wastewater Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) which identifies district-specific mitigation actions pertaining to hardening and protecting water and wastewater infrastructure and service reliability and resiliency.

Mitigation actions related to water conservation and
hardening of critical facilities specific to water and wastewater will be implemented in coordination with MNWD and ETWD.

California Department of
Transportation
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has jurisdiction, owns, operates, and maintains several of the roadways/bridges within Laguna Hills. Mitigation actions related to ensuring emergency transportation routes are maintained, repaired, and strengthened will require
coordination and implementation by Caltrans.

Southern California Edison
and San Diego Gas & Electric
SCE and SDG&E provide electrical service to Laguna Hills.

These providers own and maintain electrical conveyance
infrastructure. Mitigation actions specific to the provision of these services will be implemented in coordination with SCE and SDG&E.

Southern California Gas
Company
Southern California Gas Company (Gas Company) provides
natural gas service to Laguna Hills. The Gas Company owns and maintains natural gas conveyance infrastructure.

Mitigation actions specific to the provision of these services will be implemented in coordination with the Gas Company.

Wireless Facilities A variety of service providers provide communication services within Laguna Hills. Mitigation actions specific to the provision of these services will be implemented in coordination with these service providers.

Partnering Arrangements or
Intergovernmental
Agreements
The OCFA and OCSD have memoranda of understandings
with other fire and law enforcement agencies to provide services in emergency events.

American Red Cross The City of Laguna Hills has relationship with the local Red Cross office in Santa Ana. The Red Cross provides both technical and education/outreach support in the implementation of
mitigation actions.

Nellie Gail Emergency
Preparedness Committee
(EPC)
The Nellie Gail Emergency Preparedness Committee (EPC)
works on behalf of the Nellie Gail community to organize and prepare for a disaster. The EPC has established a functional Emergency Command Center that provides primary

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responsibility for acquiring a neighborhood overview or “big picture” status of the disaster. The Emergency Command
Center communicates the needs of the Nellie Gail
community to first responders in order to obtain the most rapid and efficient deployment of any available emergency
services such a fire, police, rescue services, during the earliest stages of a disaster or emergency. The EPC is working
continuously to form teams of residents and identify specific skills and capabilities so that Nellie Gail Ranch residents can help each other. Volunteers are sought to support emergency communications, basic first aid needs, as well as the unique needs of the equestrian community safeguarding both large and small animals. Nellie Gail’s EPC serves as an example to other homeowners associations (HOAs) within Laguna Hills.

Financial
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
FEMA is the federal agency responsible for hazard mitigation, emergency preparedness, and emergency response and
recovery activities. It provides guidance to State and local governments on hazard mitigation activities, including best practices and how to comply with federal requirements. FEMA also provides funding for hazard mitigation actions through three grant programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant, and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). The HMGP requires a presidential hazard declaration before funding is available; after a hazard is declared, grant applications can be submitted on a rotating basis. Both BRIC and FMA
applications typically open during the fall. Outside of the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants, FEMA also administers Preparedness Grants and Resilience Grants that may be
applicable to future City projects.

California Governor’s Office
of Emergency Services
Cal OES is responsible for overseeing and coordinating
emergency preparedness, response, recovery and homeland security activities within California. Cal OES regularly dispatches team members to join first responders, emergency leaders and those affected by disasters that threaten public safety, to provide information essential to the public. Cal OES can assist in obtaining funding for mitigation actions identified in the plan and providing guidance on future plan updates.

Additionally, Cal OES is responsible for administration and distribution of federal grant funding for the FEMA grant programs listed above.

Emergency Reserve Fund The City maintains an emergency reserve fund for emergency needs: “The City will strive to achieve and maintain a minimum Assigned and Unassigned Fund Balance Reserve of 40% of the annual operating budget for operating contingencies,

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emergencies caused by calamitous events, and economic
uncertainty.”
EOC Activation When the City’s EOC is activated, costs are tracked for eligible reimbursement.

Education & Outreach
AlertOC AlertOC is a mass notification system designed to keep Orange County residents and businesses informed of emergencies and certain community events. By registering with AlertOC, timesensitive voice messages from the County or City in which someone lives or works may be sent to their home, cell, or business phone. This system can be used to implement
mitigation actions pertaining to public outreach and
dissemination of accurate and timely information during a hazard event.

Orange County Crime
Stoppers
This service allows citizens to anonymously report potential criminal activity and/or supply information regarding suspects of crimes. It allows people to report non-emergency
information either by phone call, web or text. This program can be critical to mitigate a potential terrorist event.

Sherriff Explorer Program The Explorer Program provides young adults (age 14-20) with the opportunity to assist the OCSD in Laguna Hills. Through weekly meetings, Explorers can broaden their knowledge and learn firsthand about the challenges and rewards of a career in law enforcement. Explorers receive training in a variety of topics including leadership, patrol procedures, first-aid, and laws of arrest.

Neighborhood Watch
Program
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program which
enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It involves neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance. Residents become trained to recognize and report suspicious activities, and can then implement crime prevention techniques such as
residential and vehicle security, and personal safety into their neighborhoods.

Emergency Preparedness
Outreach
Disasters cannot be prevented; however, the community can reduce the effects of disasters before they occur, prepare for what could happen, and improve response and recovery.

Several mitigation actions pertain to outreach and information to the community and can be implemented through a variety of programs and events in coordination with the City and other partner agencies and stakeholders.

Police/Fire Community
Awareness Events
Events provide an opportunity to implement mitigation actions specific to educating and informing the community regarding hazards and ways to reduce impacts from the hazards and what to do during an emergency.

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Resources Description of Ability to Support Mitigation
Homeowner Associations The City of Laguna Hills is comprised of several Homeowner’s Associations. The associations can help to implement
mitigation actions through the distribution of information to their residents.

City Website, E-Newsletter,
Social Media, Brochures and
Pamphlets
These various forms of communication provide an opportunity to convey information and implement mitigation actions
specific to educating and informing the community regarding all hazards and ways to reduce impacts from the hazards.

How can these capabilities be expanded upon and improved to reduce risk? Several mitigation actions provide opportunities to expand upon the City’s capabilities to reduce risk. Examples of these opportunities include:

Planning/Regulatory: Laguna Hills General Plan (Mitigation Action #1); Emergency-Related Planning Documents (Mitigation Action #2); Development of new critical facilities (Mitigation Action #3); New City buildings and infrastructure (Mitigation Action #4) Administrative/Technical: Partner to provide evacuation and reunification locations and shelters (Mitigation Action #7); Identification of housing/shelter opportunities (Mitigation Action #10); Coordination with Saddleback Medical Center, SDG&E, and SCE (Mitigation Action #12); Work with partner agencies to identify causes of localized flooding and potential improvements (Mitigation Actions #23 and #25); Identify changes/updates to building codes and seismic regulations (Mitigation Action #29); Provide assistance with small project-based seismic retrofits, structural retrofits and water conservation retrofit projects (Mitigation Actions #32, #33, and #37); Improve communication of Nellie Gail Ranch HOA/Emergency Preparedness Committee (Mitigation Action #34); Potential for HOAs to create emergency preparedness committee (Mitigation Action #35); Emergency response exercises to minimize community risks (Mitigation Action #44); Update cyber secure software (Mitigation Action #46) Financial: Funding resources for housing/shelter (Mitigation Action #10); Funding to establish a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program (Mitigation Action #16); Funding for a generator (Mitigation Action #17); Funding for dam improvements (Mitigation Action #21) Education/Outreach: Education materials and dissemination of information with partner agencies (Mitigation Action #6); Public outreach campaign (Mitigation Action #8); Advertise and assist the community with alert notification systems (Mitigation Action #9); Partner with local community and service providers specific to vulnerable populations (Mitigation Actions #10, #11, #15); Inundation area education (Mitigation Action #19); Educate property owners of opportunities to take actions to reduce hazards in home (Mitigation Action #24); Drought education (Mitigation Action #30); Hazardous materials handling, disposal and storage education (Mitigation Action #34)

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5.2 HAZARD MITIGATION OVERVIEW

5.2.1 FEMA’S NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides affordable insurance to property owners, renters and businesses by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. Participation in the NFIP is optional; however, property owners who live in a non-participating community with flood-prone areas are not able to buy flood insurance through the program. Communities with mapped floodplains cannot receive federal grants or loans for development activities in floodprone areas and cannot receive federal disaster assistance to repair flood damaged buildings in mapped floodplains if they are not participants of the NFIP.

The City of Laguna Hills is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

The City plans to continue its participation in the NFIP and comply with the requirements.

Laguna Hills Municipal Code Chapter 9-66, Flood Management Regulations, effective December 8, 2009, adopted legally enforceable regulations applied uniformly throughout the City to all publicly and privately owned land within flood prone, mudslide (i.e, mudflow) or flood related erosion areas. Pursuance to Section 9-66.080, Compliance, no structure or land are allowed to be constructed, located, extended, converted, or altered without full compliance with the terms of this chapter and other applicable regulations. The City’s Public Works Director/City Engineer is appointed as the Floodplain Administrator and is responsible for implementing the commitments and requirements of the NFIP, including administering, implementing, and enforcing Municipal Code Chapter 9-66. Municipal Code Section 9-66.150, Standards of Construction, identifies the required standards of construction in all areas of special flood hazards, including for all new construction, substantial improvements of structures, and substantial damage of structures. Certification of compliance is required to be provided to the City Engineer by a registered civil engineer or architect, depending upon the requirements. More specific standards are identified in Section 9-66.160, Standards for Utilities, Section 9-66.170, Standards for Subdivisions and Other Proposed Development, Section 9-66.180, Standards for Manufactured Homes, and Section 9-66-190, Standards for Recreational Vehicles.

Implementation of LHMP Mitigation Action 1 would assist with continued compliance with the NFIP. Mitigation Action 1 addresses future updates to the City’s General Plan to ensure that current floodplain information is incorporated, and that goals and policies adequately respond to floodplain conditions within the City in order to reduce vulnerability to flood hazards.

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Additionally, it should be noted that the City’s General Plan Land Use map identifies where specific land uses are allowed within the City. The City’s Open Space designation is applied to creek corridors, utility corridors, publicly maintained open space, and open space reserves and preserves. The City will continue to use its General Plan land use designations to control development within these areas. Development within Laguna Hills has been planned and constructed in conformance with the NFIP, and the existing flood control and stormwater drainage systems have both been designed and created to accommodate the anticipated growth and future land development within Laguna Hills.

The City intends to optimize the existing system and maintain the community’s drainage features in their natural condition. The City works closely with OC Flood to construct and maintain flood control facilities for the community. In addition, the City requires adequate flood control facilities to protect all structures and major roadways from hazards associated with being near a 100-year floodplain and will require new development and redevelopment to be located to either avoid flood hazards or incorporate them into the overall design.

5.2.2 HAZARD MITIGATION GOALS
The mitigation goals, presented in Section 1.5, Mitigation Goals, serve as the basis for direction to promote sound public policy designed to protect citizens, critical facilities, infrastructure, private property, and the environment from hazards. The plan goals guide the direction of future activities aimed at reducing risk and preventing loss from hazards.

The goals also serve as checkpoints as agencies and organizations begin implementing mitigation action items.

The hazard mitigation actions identified below list those activities that the City will use to reduce their risk of potential hazards. These mitigation actions were identified through discussions and collaboration with the LHMP Planning Team. All of the mitigation actions that were discussed have been included within the plan. Some of these actions may be eligible for funding through federal and State grant programs and other funding sources as made available to the City. The mitigation actions are intended to address the comprehensive range of identified hazards. Some actions may address risk reduction from multiple hazards.

5.2.3 HAZARD MITIGATION PRIORITIZATION
The Planning Team discussed each mitigation action to identify the priority, using the following as guidance:

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 High Priority: Top organizational priority and is generally a well-detailed project idea. Protects population, resource or property at high risk. Uses feasible methods, techniques or technology.
 Medium Priority: A good idea that needs more information or is an action that addresses a moderate hazard.
 Low Priority: An idea that needs a lot more information or will take a lot of preliminary action to build support.

Discussions by the Planning Team influenced the priority of the specific mitigation action.

For example, some actions although possibly in need of more information, were identified as a high priority due to current conditions, the risk of the hazard, and the probability of its occurrence. The Planning Team considered the frequency and severity of the hazard; the vulnerability of the community; the impacts the mitigation action would avoid or reduce; the benefits of the action on the community; the critical facilities that would benefit; the environmental benefits of the action; and the capability of the City and its partner agencies to implement the action.

The Planning Team reviewed the STAPLE/E (Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal, Economic, and Environmental) criteria, as described in Table 5-2, STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria, when considering and prioritizing the mitigation actions. This methodology, as endorsed by FEMA, requires that social, technical, administrative, political, legal, economic, and environmental factors are considered when reviewing potential actions.

TABLE 5-2: STAPLE/E REVIEW AND SELECTION CRITERIA
STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
Social - Is the proposed action socially acceptable to the jurisdiction and surrounding community?
- Are there equity issues involved that would mean that one segment of the jurisdiction and/or community is treated unfairly?
- Will the action cause social disruption?
Technical - Will the proposed action work?
- Will it create more problems than it solves?
- Does it solve a problem or only a symptom?
- Is it the most useful action in light of other jurisdiction goals? Administrative - Can the jurisdiction implement the action? - Is there someone to coordinate and lead the effort?
- Is there sufficient funding, staff, and technical support available? - Are there ongoing administrative requirements that need to be met? Political - Is the action politically acceptable?
- Is there public support both to implement and to maintain the project? Legal - Is the jurisdiction authorized to implement the proposed action?

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STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
- Are there legal side effects? Could the activity be construed as a taking?
- Will the jurisdiction be liable for action or lack of action? - Will the activity be challenged?
Economic - What are the costs and benefits of this action? - Do the benefits exceed the costs?
- Are initial, maintenance, and administrative costs considered? - Has funding been secured for the proposed action? If not, what are the potential funding sources (public, nonprofit, and private)? - How will this action affect the fiscal capability of the jurisdiction? - What burden will this action place on the tax base or local economy? - What are the budget and revenue effects of this activity? - Does the action contribute to other jurisdiction goals? - What benefits will the action provide?
Environmental - How will the action affect the environment? - Will the action need environmental regulatory approvals? - Will it meet local and State regulatory requirements? - Are endangered or threatened species likely to be affected?

5.2.4 HAZARD MITIGATION BENEFIT-COST REVIEW
FEMA requires local governments to analyze the benefits and costs of a range of mitigation actions that can reduce the effects of each hazard within their communities.

Benefit-cost analysis is used in hazard mitigation to show if the benefits to life and property protected through mitigation efforts exceed the cost of the mitigation activity.

Conducting benefit-cost analysis for a mitigation activity can assist communities in determining whether a project is worth undertaking now in order to avoid disaster-related damages later. The analysis is based on calculating the frequency and severity of a hazard, avoiding future damages, and risk.

A hazard mitigation plan must demonstrate that a process was employed which emphasized a review of benefits and costs when prioritizing the mitigation actions. The benefit-cost review must be comprehensive to the extent that it can evaluate the monetary as well as the nonmonetary benefits and costs associated with each action.

The benefit-cost review should at least consider the following questions:
 How many people will benefit from the action?
 How large an area is impacted?
 How critical are the facilities that benefit from the action (e.g., which is more beneficial to protect, the fire station or the administrative building)?  Environmentally, does it make sense to do this project for the overall community?

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These questions were considered to help determine the appropriateness of mitigation actions. Those actions that did not have adequate benefits were excluded from the list of mitigation actions.

5.3 HAZARD MITIGATION ACTIONS
The process used by the Planning Team to identify hazard mitigation actions for this plan included the following:
 Review of the vulnerability and risk assessment presented in Section 4.0;  Review of the capabilities assessment presented in Subsection 5.1;  Review of the results of the community survey and feedback received as part of the commission meetings; and
 The Planning Team’s discussion of concerns/issues that need to be addressed to reduce hazards to critical facilities and the community.

Table 5-3, Hazard Mitigation Actions, identifies the mitigation action, hazard(s) it addresses, City Department and/or partner agency/stakeholder responsible for implementation, potential funding sources, priority, and the timeline for implementation.

The timeline for implementation is defined as follows:
 Ongoing: 1-2 years and ongoing thereafter
 Short-Term: 1 to 2 years
 Medium-Term: 3 years
 Long-Term: 4 to 5 years

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TABLE 5-3: HAZARD MITIGATION ACTIONS
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
1 When updating the City’s
General Plan, review hazards
information and mapping
(e.g., dam/reservoir
inundation, floodplains,
liquefaction, landslide, fire
hazard zones) to ensure the
most current information is
reflected and updated as
necessary. Incorporate new
and/or revised goals and
policies specific to reducing
vulnerability to hazards. The
City will continue to formally
adopt the approved City of
Laguna Hills Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into its General
Plan Safety Element to ensure
compliance with AB 2140,
making the City eligible for
additional funding under the
California Disaster Assistance
Act (CDAA).

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund
Low Long-Term
2 Continue to update
emergency-related planning
documents every five years to
ensure consistency with state
and federal law, best
practices, local conditions,
and recent information and
advances.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium On-going

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
3 Avoid locating new critical
facilities within or immediately
adjacent to mapped hazard
zones, where feasible. If no
feasible alternative exists,
integrate best-practices into
the development to reduce
vulnerability and risk to the
maximum extent.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium On-going
4 Conduct hazard vulnerability
studies when constructing
new City buildings or
infrastructure. Based on
vulnerability findings,
construct new buildings or
infrastructure in accordance
with resilience best-practices
and integrate mitigation into
the building design.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff
Time/General
Fund; FEMA
Grant Funding
Medium On-going

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
5 Explore the opportunity to
establish a Public Works
Corporation Yard, outside of a
hazard area, in order to
adequately stage equipment
and respond to disasters.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
Public Works Staff
Time/General
Fund
Medium/High Mediumto LongTerm
6 Coordinate with partner
agencies, such as Orange
County Sheriff’s Department
(OCSD), Orange County Fire
Authority (OCFA), American
Red Cross, ETWD, MNWD, Age
Well, HOAs, and schools to
create and disseminate
educational materials for
residents/business owners to
identify their risk to multihazards; identify mitigation actions they can implement;
provide additional sources
and resources for information;
and provide classes/seminars,
etc.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal,
State, and
Local Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
7 Partner with the American
Red Cross, the County,
neighboring cities, schools,
and HOAs to provide
evacuation and reunification
locations and shelters in an
emergency.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff
Time/General
Fund
High Ongoing
8 In coordination with OCSD’s
current program, develop
and implement a public
outreach campaign to inform
the public on warning
expectations, including
emergency sheltering and
evacuation procedures,
including pre-planned maps
for distribution to employers
and residents, and what alert
systems and information
sources are available to
reduce conveyance of
misinformation.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal,
State, and
Local Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Ongoing
9 At all City-sponsored
communitywide events,
advertise and inform
residents/business owners of
AlertOC and the City’s alert
notification system and assist
people in registering for
notifications, if requested.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
Community Services Staff Time/
General Fund
High Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
10 Partner with the County,
neighboring cities, and local
nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations
(NGOs) to identify potential
housing/shelter opportunities,
including funding resources,
for vulnerable populations in
the event of a hazard resulting
in displacement.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Community Services,
Community
Development
Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal
and State
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium to
High
Mediumto LongTerm
11 Partner with local nonprofits
and NGOs, to identify and
implement targeted
mitigation actions to support
vulnerable or underserved
populations.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Drought;
Flood; HumanInduced Hazards;
Seismic and
Geologic (ground
shaking, liquefaction,
landslides, mudflows,
slope instability);
Severe Weather;
Wildfire and Urban
Fire
Public Safety,
Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal,
State, and
Local Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Ongoing
12 Coordinate with Saddleback
Medical Center to
understand their capabilities
Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Services
Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium Short-Term

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
and opportunities to partner in
hazard mitigation activities.

With the assistance of SDG&E
and SCE, identify specific
medical needs (e.g., care
and equipment) of vulnerable
populations in the event of a
hazard event.

Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
13 Work with Caltrans and
neighboring jurisdictions to
ensure emergency
transportation routes are
maintained, repaired, and
strengthened, as necessary.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund
High Ongoing
14 Work with SCE, SDG&E, ETWD,
MNWD, telecommunication
providers, and OCTA to
ensure that services remain
fully active, as much as safely
possible, during emergency
events and that full service is
restored as quickly as possible
following an emergency.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund
High Ongoing
15 Partner with the local
community and other
organizations, such as the
American Red Cross, religious
organizations, non-profits, and
partner agencies (So Cal Gas,
Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal,
State, and
Local Funding
Sources as
High Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
SCE, SDG&E, ETWD, MNWD) to
work directly with vulnerable
populations (elderly,
homeless, low income, special
needs, etc.) to identify
opportunities to mitigate
impacts in the event of a
natural disaster, including the
identification of available
resources and how to access
and implement those
resources.

Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
16 Explore the opportunity
(including funding and staff
resources) to establish a
Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT)
program.

Multiple Hazards –
Dam/Reservoir
Failure; Flood;
Human-Induced
Hazards; Seismic and
Geologic; Severe
Weather; Wildfire
and Urban Fire
Public Safety Staff Time/
General Fund;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium Mediumto LongTerm
17 Identify and pursue funding to
purchase a generator for the
Laguna Hills Community
Center & Sports Complex.

Multiple Hazard –
Seismic
(earthquake);
Wildland and Urban
Fire; Severe Weather
(heavy rains, Santa
Ana winds, extreme
heat)
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Short-Term
18 Conduct a feasibility
assessment of installation of
backup energy systems (solar,
Multiple Hazard –
Seismic
(earthquake);
Public Works Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal,
Low MediumTerm

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
battery, fuel cell, natural gas
generator) at key critical
facilities within the City.

Wildland and Urban
Fire; Severe Weather
(heavy rains, Santa
Ana winds, extreme
heat)
State, and
Local Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
19 Coordinate with dam and
reservoir owners to notify
property owners if located
within an inundation area and
provide education
information and resources in
the event of an emergency.

Dam/Reservoir
Failure
Public Works Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal,
State, and
Local Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium Mediumto LongTerm
20 Coordinate with the owners of
Veeh Reservoir and Rossmoor
No. 1 Dam to implement a
siren warning system to alert
people quickly of a failure or
the imminent threat of a
failure.

Dam/Reservoir
Failure
Public Works Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal
and State
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium Medium-to
Long-Term
21 Continue to monitor and
review the results of the
annual dam inspections
conducted by the Division of
Safety of Dams. If the
inspections determine
Dam/Reservoir
Failure
Public Works Staff
Time/General
Fund; Federal
and State
Funding
Sources as
Available;
High Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
physical improvements are
required, coordinate with the
owners to document a plan to
implement the necessary
improvements, including a
schedule and provide
assistance to identify
opportunities for funding.

FEMA Grant
Funding
22 Continue to proactively
monitor and perform regular
drainage system
maintenance including
removal of debris prior to
storm events and similarly
encourage HOAs and other
property owners to
proactively remove debris
from their drainage systems.

Multiple Hazards –
Flooding, Severe
Weather (Heavy
Rains), Mudflow
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund
High Ongoing
23 Working with partner
agencies, as needed, identify
causes of localized flooding
and potential improvements
in areas of Canada Channel
(F-23); El Toro Road/Avenida
de la Carlota; Beckenham
Street downdrain; and Largo
Drive. Seek funding for
improvements to address
existing deficiencies and
prevent future flooding.

Multiple Hazards –
Flooding, Severe
Weather (Heavy
Rains)
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
Prioritize repairs of facilities
that result in flooding to
roadways that serve as
emergency access and
evacuation routes.
24 Continue to identify localized
areas of flooding associated
with City-owned facilities and
seek funding for
improvements to prevent
future flooding associated
with the drainage facility.

Prioritize repairs of facilities
that result in flooding to
roadways that serve as
emergency access and
evacuation routes.

Multiple Hazards –
Flooding, Severe
Weather (Heavy
Rains)
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing
25 Coordinate with County of
Orange and neighboring
cities to identify areas of
flooding during heavy rain
events to ensure the
responsible agency(ies) can
take corrective action to
prevent future flooding
associated with the drainage
facility. Request prioritization
of repairs of facilities that result
in flooding to roadways that
serve as emergency access
and evacuation routes.

Multiple Hazards –
Flooding, Severe
Weather (Heavy
Rains)
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
26 Educate citizens about safety
during flood conditions,
including the dangers of
driving on flooded roads.

Multiple Hazards –
Flooding, Severe
Weather (Heavy
Rains)
Public Safety, Public
Works, Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff Time/
General Fund
High Ongoing
27 Retrofit roadway medians to
capture storm water during
rain events.

Multiple Hazards –
Flooding, Drought,
Severe Weather
(Heavy Rains)
Public Works General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Low Long-Term
28 Encourage HOAs and
property owners to improve
drainage on their properties
through low-impact
development features.

Flood Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium Ongoing
29 Monitor changes/updates to
building codes and seismic
regulations to determine if
City-owned critical facilities
may need seismic retrofits as
they age and building codes
are updated.

Seismic and
Geologic
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium Long-Term
30 If any City-owned critical
facility is determined to be
seismically vulnerable, identify
a plan to conduct structural
retrofitting, including funding
sources and schedule.

Seismic and
Geologic
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
Medium Long-Term

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
FEMA Grant
Funding
31 Work with owners of critical
facilities to ensure facilities are
evaluated for seismic safety. If
any critical facilities are
determined to be seismically
vulnerable, work with the
owner to identify a plan for
implementation of seismic
retrofit, including schedule
and assist to identify potential
funding sources.

Seismic and
Geologic
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium Long-Term
32 Coordinate with HOAs,
property owners, and other
community partners to
identify funding and in-kind
resources and develop a
small project-based seismic
retrofit program to educate
and directly assist property
owners and renters with
simple earthquake mitigation
activities to reduce the
potential for injury and
damage and the strain on
City resources during an
event. Examples include
anchoring bookcases,
dressers, and file cabinets,
installing latches on drawers
Seismic and
Geologic
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Short-Term

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
and cabinet doors, securing
desktop computers and
appliances, using flexible
connections on gas water
lines, and securely mounting
framed pictures and mirrors.
33 Identify and seek funding
opportunities for low- to
moderate-income
homeowners to identify the
need for and to implement
seismic retrofit projects.

Seismic and
Geologic
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Short- to
Medium
Term
34 Partner with Nellie Gail Ranch
HOA/Emergency
Preparedness Committee to
obtain authorization from
MNWD for the HOA to install
an antenna at MNWD’s water
tank for improved
communication during
emergencies.

Multiple Hazard –
Seismic
(earthquake);
Wildland and Urban
Fire; Severe Weather
(heavy rains, Santa
Ana winds, extreme
heat)
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund
High Short-Term
35 Coordinate with HOAs for the
potential to create an
emergency preparedness
committee, similar to Nellie
Gail Ranch.

Multiple Hazard –
Seismic
(earthquake);
Wildland and Urban
Fire; Severe Weather
(heavy rains, Santa
Public Works,
Community
Development,
Community Services
Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium MediumTerm

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
Ana winds, extreme
heat)
36 As landscaping is installed or
replaced within City-owned
facilities, prioritize the
installation of drought-tolerant
and fire-resistant landscaping,
specifically within the
wildland-urban interface,
where feasible.

Multiple Hazards –
Drought and
Wildland and Urban
Fire
Public Works General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing
37 Coordinate with HOAs,
property owners, and other
community partners to
identify funding and in-kind
resources for low- to
moderate-income
homeowners to implement
small project-based structural
improvements to mitigate
potential damage associated
with heavy rains or Santa Ana
wind events. Examples
include roof
repair/replacement, rain
gutter repair/cleanout, tree
trimming/ removal,
downspouts, rain barrels, or
other drainage
improvements.

Severe Weather
(heavy rains, Santa
Ana winds)
Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Short- to
MediumTerm

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
38 Coordinate with the City’s
water providers to make
available drought education
materials and educate
residents and business owners
on the availability of financial
incentives and programs to
conserve water.

Drought Community
Development, Public
Works
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing
39 Coordinate with the City’s
water providers, HOAs,
property owners, and other
community partners to
identify funding and in-kind
resources and develop a
small project-based water
conservation retrofit program
to directly assist property
owners and renters with
simple modifications such as
the repair or replacement of
water-using fixtures and
appliances, integration of
drought-tolerant
landscaping, replacement of
broken sprinklers, etc., that
prioritize water conservation
and cost-savings.

Drought Public Works,
Community
Development
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Short-Term

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
40 Partner with the City’s water
providers to offer low-cost or
free water audits to residents
and property owners. The
focus of the water audit will be
to determine where and how
much water is being used and
to identify opportunities for
water savings and associated
implementation strategies.

Prioritize implementation
strategies that reduce water
usage, are cost-effective, and
provide cost savings for both
the property owner and
tenants.

Drought Community
Development, Public
Works
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
MediumTerm
41 Require State-mandated
water conservation measures
during drought emergencies.

Drought Community
Development, Public
Works
Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium Ongoing
42 Coordinate with the City’s
water providers to ensure
accurate land use and
growth information is
incorporated into projected
water supply analyses as part
of Urban Water Management
Plan updates that occur every
five years.

Drought Community
Development, Public
Works
Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium Long-Term
43 Provide information to the
community regarding the
proper handling, storage and
Human-Induced
Hazards (Hazardous
Materials)
Community
Development, Public
Staff Time/
General Fund
Low/ Medium Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
disposal of hazardous
materials and publicize
County locations and events
for disposal of household
hazardous waste items.

Works, Community
Services
44 Participate in programs and
emergency response
exercises with federal and
state agencies and Southern
California Edison to minimize
community risks related to
nuclear power production at
SONGS.

Human-Induced
Hazards (Hazardous
Materials)
Community
Development, Public
Works, Public Safety, in
coordination with SCE
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing
45 Coordinate with the Southern
California Regional Rail
Authority (SCRRA) regarding
notifications in the event of a
train incident involving release
of hazardous materials and for
opportunities to participate in
emergency response
exercises.

Human-Induced
Hazards (Hazardous
Materials)
Community
Development, Public
Works, Public Safety, in
coordination with
SCRRA
Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium/
High
Ongoing
46 Regularly update cyber
security software and
educate City employees on
current threats.

Human-Induced
Hazards (CyberThreat)
Public Safety, IT Division Staff Time/
General Fund;
FEMA Grant
Funding
Medium Ongoing
47 Monitor the timing of the City’s
annual Weed Abatement
Program and adjust as
necessary to account for fire
Wildland and Urban
Fire
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund
Medium/
High
Ongoing

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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Addressed Responsible
Department/Agency
Potential
Funding
Sources
Priority Timeline
hazard conditions and
potential changes to the
timing of the fire season.
48 Continue to regularly conduct
brush clearing and weed
abatement programs within
the wildland urban interface,
particularly around critical
facilities. Coordinate and
partner with external
agencies where appropriate.

Maintain buffer areas as
permitted.

Wildland and Urban
Fire
Public Works Staff Time/
General Fund;
Federal, State,
and Local
Funding
Sources as
Available;
FEMA Grant
Funding
High Ongoing
Ongoing: 1-2 years and ongoing thereafter
Short-Term: 1 to 2 years
Medium-Term: 3 years
Long-Term: 4 to 5 years

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Section 6.0 | Plan Maintenance
This section identifies the formal process that will ensure that the LHMP remains an active and relevant document. The plan maintenance process includes a schedule for monitoring and evaluating the plan annually and producing an update every five years, so the City can maintain eligibility for federal and State hazard mitigation funding.

This section describes how the City will integrate public participation throughout the plan maintenance and implementation process. It also describes how the City intends to incorporate the mitigation actions outlined in this plan into existing planning mechanisms and programs. The plan’s format allows the City to readily update sections when new data becomes available, ensuring the plan remains current and relevant.

6.1 METHOD AND SCHEDULE FOR MAINTAINING AND

UPDATING THE PLAN

6.1.1 PURPOSE AND AUTHORITY
Section 201.6.(d)(3) of Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations requires that local hazard mitigation plans be reviewed, revised if appropriate, and resubmitted for approval in order to remain eligible for benefits awarded under the DMA. As described below, monitoring the progress of the mitigation actions will be on-going throughout the five-year period between the adoption of the LHMP and the next update effort. The LHMP Planning Team will meet on an annual basis to monitor the status of the implementation of mitigation actions and develop updates as necessary.

The City intends to update the plan on a five-year cycle from the date of initial plan adoption. It is anticipated that this update process will be initiated at least 18 months prior to expiration of the existing plan. The cycle may be accelerated to less than five years based on the following triggers:
 A presidential disaster declaration that impacts the City.  A hazard event that causes loss of life.

Under the direction of the Public Works Director, the LHMP Planning Team (identified in Section 2.0, Planning Process) will be responsible for the on-going maintenance and fiveyear update of this LHMP. The Public Works Director will take the primary lead in the LHMP

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maintenance by coordinating maintenance of this plan with the Planning Team, including undertaking the formal review process and updating the plan. Key City departments who should have an active role in maintenance and future updates are identified below.
 General Government
 Community Development
 Community Services
 Public Safety
 Public Works
In addition to City staff, the following partner agencies, organization, and stakeholders who were invited to and/or participated on the Planning Team during preparation of the plan should be included in the maintenance and future update activities:
 City of Aliso Viejo
 City of Irvine
 City of Laguna Niguel
 City of Laguna Woods
 City of Lake Forest
 City of Mission Viejo
 City of Rancho Santa Margarita
 Orange County Fire Authority
 Orange County Sheriff’s Department
 Orange County Public Works
 El Toro Water District
 Moulton Niguel Water District
 SDG&E
 Southern California Edison
 Southern California Gas Company
 Saddleback Hospital
 Orange County Health Care Agency
 Irvine Unified School District
 Saddleback Unified School District
Although specific Planning Team members may change, the City staff positions and departments and other partner agencies and organizations should continue to be included in the plan implementation and maintenance process.

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Opportunities to expand the Planning Team, or include the involvement of stakeholders separate from the Planning Team should be considered. This would likely include the community partners, service agencies, and organizations that work directly with the community, including with specific focus on underserved and vulnerable populations.

The Project Management Team, under the direction of the Public Works Director, will facilitate the Planning Team meetings and will assign tasks such as updating and presenting the plan to other departments, stakeholder groups, and/or elected officials.

The Planning Team will be responsible for maintaining and updating the plan and will coordinate implementation of the plan through their respective positions and agencies.

Plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all Planning Team Members.

6.1.2 ANNUAL PLAN MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE
It will be important to monitor the progress of the mitigation actions throughout the fiveyear period between adoption and the next required update. At a minimum, the Public Works Director, representatives from each City Department, and Planning Team members should meet annually to monitor implementation of the LHMP. However, in the event a significant disaster occurs within Laguna Hills, the Public Works Director and City Department representatives will convene within 30 days of the disaster to review and update the LHMP as needed. In addition to City staff, partner agencies, organizations, and stakeholders, may be identified for participation, as appropriate.

The Public Works Director and designees will coordinate with responsible City departments and agencies/organizations identified for each mitigation action. These responsible departments and agencies/organizations will monitor and evaluate the progress made on the implementation of mitigation actions and report to the LHMP Planning Team on an annual basis. Working with the LHMP Planning Team, these responsible departments and agencies/organizations will be asked to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation actions and modify the mitigation actions as appropriate.

A LHMP Mitigation Action Progress Report worksheet or tracking mechanism will assist departments and agencies/organization responsible for implementing mitigation actions in reporting on the status and assessing the effectiveness of the mitigation actions.

Information from the departments and agencies/organizations will be used to monitor mitigation actions and inform the annual evaluation of the LHMP. The following questions will be considered as criteria for evaluating the plan’s effectiveness:

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 Has the nature or magnitude of hazards affecting the City changed?  Are there new hazards that have the potential to impact the City?  Do the identified goals and actions address current and expected conditions?  Have mitigation actions been implemented or completed?  Has the implementation of identified mitigation actions resulted in expected outcomes?
 Are current resources adequate to implement the LHMP?  Should additional local resources be committed to address identified hazards? As part of the annual meeting, the progress of implementing the mitigation actions will be documented and opportunities to incorporate the actions into other planning documents will be identified. This review will include the following:
 Summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their impacts on the community.
 Review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in the plan.  Discussion about why targeted mitigation actions were not completed.  Reevaluation of the mitigation actions to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs to be amended (such as changing a long-term project to a shortterm project due to funding availability).  Recommendations for new mitigation actions.
 Changes in, or potential for, new funding options/grant opportunities.  Integration of new data and maps that can be used to inform the plan.  Evaluation of any other planning programs or initiatives within the City that involve hazard mitigation.

The purpose of the annual evaluation will be to ensure consideration and implementation of the LHMP and document progress in order to inform future LHMP updates. Future updates to the LHMP will account for any new hazard vulnerabilities, special circumstances, or new information that becomes available. Issues that arise during the annual LHMP evaluation that require changes to the risk assessment, mitigation strategy, and other components of the plan, will be incorporated into the next update of the LHMP in 2028. The questions identified above would remain valid during the preparation of the 2028 plan update.

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6.1.3 FIVE-YEAR UPDATE
The intent of the five-year update process will be to add new planning process methods, community profile data, hazard data and events, vulnerability analyses, mitigation actions, and goals to the adopted plan so that the LHMP will always be current and up to date. Based on the needs identified by the Planning Team and incorporating information from the annual monitoring and maintenance activities, the update will, at a minimum, include the elements below:
 The update process will be convened 18 months prior to expiration of the existing plan through a Planning Team identified by the Public Works Director.  The hazard risk assessment will be reviewed and updated using best available information and technologies.
 Based on new/updated information provided by facility owners and available funding, the evaluation of critical facilities and mapping will be updated and improved.
 The mitigation actions will be reviewed and revised to account for any actions completed, deferred, or changed to account for changes in the risk assessment or new City policies identified under other planning mechanisms, as appropriate (such as the City’s General Plan).
 The draft update will be sent to appropriate agencies for comment.  The public will be given an opportunity to comment prior to adoption.  The City Council will adopt the updated LHMP.

6.2 ADOPTION
The City Council is responsible for adopting the LHMP. This formal adoption should take place every five years. Once the plan has received FEMA Approval Pending Adoption, the City Council will need to adopt the plan. Upon adoption, the City will transmit the adopted plan to FEMA.

6.3 INCORPORATION INTO EXISTING PROGRAMS AND

PLANNING MECHANISMS
The effectiveness of the nonregulatory LHMP depends on the implementation of the plan and incorporation of the mitigation action items into City plans, policies, and programs.

The City’s General Plan is considered to be an integral part of this plan. The City, through

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the recent update and adoption of its General Plan Safety Element, has planned for the impact of hazards. The LHMP process has allowed the City to review the goals and policies contained in the General Plan Safety Element and identified mitigation actions that will further implement these policies. The City views the General Plan and the LHMP as complementary planning documents that work together to achieve the ultimate goal of the reduction of risk exposure to Laguna Hills citizens and property. Many of the ongoing recommendations identified in the mitigation strategy further the goals and policies of the General Plan and other adopted plans. Further, the City has acknowledged as part of the Safety Element the development of this LHMP and has incorporated it by reference.

The plan includes a range of action items that, if implemented, would reduce loss from hazard events in the City. Together, the mitigation action items in the LHMP provide the framework for activities that the City may choose to implement over the next five years.

The City has prioritized the plan’s goals and identified actions that will be implemented (resources permitting) through existing plans, policies, and programs. In addition to the General Plan, the City will coordinate the recommendations of the LHMP with other existing plans and programs, which include, but are not limited to:
 Capital Improvement Program Planning
 Annual Budget
 Laguna Hills General Plan Updates and Annual Report
 Laguna Hills Municipal Code
 Development Project Review
 California Environmental Quality Act Review
Additional opportunities to integrate the mitigation actions include the following:
 Integration of mitigation actions in emergency response and post-disaster recovery planning.
 Ongoing education and outreach programs to increase staff, resident, business owner, employees, and overall community awareness of the risks and opportunities to implement mitigation actions associated with natural hazards.  Continued coordination with the City and other partner agencies and organizations on emergency operations and training opportunities.  Continued consideration of hazard implications and opportunities to implement hazard mitigation as City plans, policies, procedures, and practices are prepared and updated.

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Although the Public Works Department will have primary responsibility for review, coordination, and promotion, plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all departments identified as lead departments in the mitigation action plan. The City will reference and incorporate this LHMP into all relevant planning documents, programs, decisions, processes, and regulations. The LHMP will be reviewed and considered by internal City departments, as applicable plans or programs are drafted or updated in the future. Opportunities to integrate the mitigation action plan into other planning mechanisms and documents will be identified as part of the annual plan monitoring and maintenance described in Section 6.1.2.

6.4 CONTINUED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The City recognizes the need for continued public involvement throughout the five-year planning period to keep community members and partner agencies updated on the LHMP, including socially vulnerable populations. The public will continue to be informed on LHMP actions through regular updates to the City websites and through annual progress reports to the City Council. The adopted LHMP will remain permanently available for review on the City’s website, with contact information for interested parties to direct comments and concerns. Additionally, the City will ensure continued public involvement through the promotion of hazard and emergency preparedness education, interagency coordinated outreach efforts, public disaster fairs, drills and other hazard awareness campaigns as included in applicable Mitigation Actions in Section 5.0, Hazard Mitigation Strategy. These mitigation actions include outreach and communication methods designed to appeal to the entire community, including targeted outreach to socially vulnerable populations. All public feedback will be reviewed and considered for incorporation (if deemed appropriate) into the next LHMP update. Additionally, coordination and implementation of individual mitigation actions will involve direct coordination and interaction with the public, such as those involving targeted support to vulnerable or underserved populations, programs to assist property owners and renters to implement risk reduction improvements, and working with HOAs and property owners.

Implementation of these mitigation actions will provide additional opportunities for continued public involvement and assist in determining how best to implement mitigation actions, assess the effectiveness of the mitigation actions, and identify additional opportunities for mitigation actions to be considered in the next update. Upon initiation of the LHMP update, the Planning Team will review feedback and outreach efforts, which will be analyzed and incorporated into a new public involvement strategy based on the needs and capabilities of the City at the time of the update. At a minimum, this strategy will include the use of the City website, email distribution lists, and social media, as well

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as coordination with partner agencies and organizations, and will include specific outreach to vulnerable populations.

6.5 POINT OF CONTACT
Primary point of contact for the LHMP:

Joe Ames, P.E., T.E.

Public Works Director/City Engineer
City of Laguna Hills
24035 El Toro Road
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
949-707-2655
[email protected]

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1 | Page References
Section 7.0 | References
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Association of State Dam Safety. (2021). Dam Failures and Incidents. Retrieved November 16, 2021, from https://damsafety.org/dam-failures.

Cal-Adapt. (2022). Extreme Heat Days & Warm Nights. Retrieved March 4, 2022 and November 16, 2023 from https://cal-adapt.org/tools/extreme-heat/.

California Climate Change Assessment. (2019, January). Fourth Climate Change Assessment. Retrieved July 4, 2022 from California's Fourth Climate Change Assessment Statewide Summary Report.

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California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology. (2001). Seismic Hazard Zone Report for the San Juan Capistrano 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Orange County, California.

California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology. (2000). Seismic Hazard Zone Report for the El Toro 7.5-Minute Quadrangle, Orange County, California.

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). (2011, October). Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in LRA – Orange County. Retrieved November 16, 2021 from https://osfm.fire.ca.gov/media/6739/fhszl_map30.pdf.

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California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). (2021, October). Top 20 Deadliest California Wildfires. Retrieved March 4, 2022 from https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/lbfd0m2f/top20_deadliest.pdf.

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California Department of Water Resources. (2020, January). California’s Most Significant Droughts: Comparing Historical and Recent Conditions. Retrieved November 17, 2021 from https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/What-WeDo/Drought-Mitigation/Files/Publications-AndReports/CalSigDroughts19_v9_ay11.pdf.

California Environmental Protection Agency & California Department of Public Health. (2013, October). Preparing California for Extreme Heat: Guidance and Recommendations.

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KCAL News. (2023, August 21). Cars destroyed as Hilary's rain causes giant tree to topple over in Sun Valley. Retrieved June 26, 2024 from
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Moulton Niguel Water District (MNWD). (2021, June) Moulton Niguel Water District 2020 Urban Water Management Plan. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from https://www.mnwd.com/app/uploads/2021/06/2020-Urban-WaterManagementPlan_Adopted.pdf.

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Municipal Water District of Orange County. (2019). Orange County Regional Water and Wastewater Hazard Mitigation Plan.

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National Hurricane Center (2022). Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Retrieved March 4, 2022 from https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2021a). What are El Niño and La Niña? Retrieved November 16, 2021 from
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2021b, October). Climate Variability: Oceanic Niño Index, https://www.climate.gov/newsfeatures/understanding-climate/climate-variability-oceanic-ni%C3%B1o-index, accessed February 6, 2019.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2023, November). ENSP:

Recent Evolution, Current Status and Predictions,
https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Forigin.cpc.n cep.noaa.gov%2Fproducts%2Fanalysis_monitoring%2Flanina%2Fenso_evolutionstatus-fcsts-web.ppt&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK, accessed November 16, 2023.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2016, January 18). El Niño and La Niña: Frequently asked questions. Retrieved June 19, 2024 from https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/el-ni%C3%B1oand-la-ni%C3%B1a-frequently-askedquestions#:~:text=El%20Ni%C3%B1o%20and%20La%20Ni%C3%B1a%20are%20opp osite%20phases%20of%20a,for%20El%20Ni%C3%B1o%2DSouthern%20Oscillation.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2024, June 13). El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Diagnostic Discussion. Retrieved June 19, 2024 from
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/e nsodisc.shtml.

National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center. (2021, October). U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook. Retrieved November 17, 2021 from

Page 261 of 542 ends

Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
6 | Page References
https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/season_drought. png.

National Weather Service. (2022). What Constitutes a Severe Thunderstorm. Retrieved March 4, 2022 from https://www.weather.gov/bmx/outreach_svr.

Orange County Fire Authority. (2020). 2020 Unit Strategic Fire Plan.

Orange County Water District. (2018, May). South Orange County Integrated Regional Watershed Management Plan, Retrieved September 8, 2021 from Final 2018 South OC IRWM Plan | Powered by Box.

Paulson, R. W., Chase, E.B., Roberts, R. S., & Moody, D. W. (1991). National Water Summary 1988-89- Hydrologic Events and Floods and Droughts. U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper.

San Diego Gas & Electric. (2021, February). 2020-2022 Wildfire Mitigation Plan Update, Retrieved July 6, 2022 from Microsoft Word - SDGE 2021 WMP Update DRAFTv2.

San Diego Gas & Electric. (2022). Public Safety Power Shutoffs, Retrieved July 5, 2022 from PSPS More Info | San Diego Gas & Electric (sdge.com).

Sandia National Laboratories. (2012, March). Cyber Threat Metrics. Retrieved July 5, 2022 from Cyber Threats Metric.pdf.

Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). (2021, April). Pre-Certified Local Housing Data for the City of Laguna Hills.

Southern California Edison. (2022). Public Safety Power Shutoffs. Retrieved March 4, 2022 from https://www.sce.com/safety/wildfire/psps.

Southern California Gas. (2022). Gas Transmission Pipeline Interactive Map – Orange.

Retrieved May 5, 2022, from Gas Transmission Pipeline Interactive Map - Orange (arcgis.com).

State of California, Department of Finance (DOF). (2021). E-5 Population and Housing Estimates for Cities, County and the State, 2021, with 2010 Benchmark. Retrieved November 15, 2021, from
https://dof.ca.gov/Forecasting/Demographics/Estimates/E-5/documents/E5_2021_InternetVersion.xlsx.

State of California. (2022). State Drought Response. Retrieved March 3, 2022 from https://drought.ca.gov/state-drought-response/.

Page 262 of 542 ends

Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
7 | Page References
Unified County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area (2019, February).

Emergency Operations Plan.

Unified County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area (2019, May). Flood, Dam and Reservoir Failure.

Unified County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area (2018, November).

Joint Information System Annex.

United States Census Bureau. (2022). Explore Census Data. Retrieved June 26, 2024, from https://data.census.gov/.

United States Department of Commerce. (2022). National Institute of Standards and Technology: Computer Security Resource Center, Glossary. Retrieved March 3, 2022 from https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/Cyber_Attack.

United States Department of Homeland Security. (2021). Ready: Official website of the Department of Homeland Security, Hazardous Materials Incidents. Retrieved March 3, 2022 from https://www.ready.gov/hazardous-materials-incidents.

United States Department of Homeland Security. (2022). Cyber Incidents. Retrieved March 3, 2022 from https://www.dhs.gov/cyber-incidents.

United States Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. (2021). Federal Hazmat Law, An Overview of Federal Laws for Hazardous Materials Transportation. Retrieved March 24, 2023 from https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/standards-rulemaking/hazmat/federal-hazardousmaterials-transportation-law-overview.

United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2022). Health and Ecological Hazards Caused by Hazardous Substances. Retrieved March 3, 2022 from https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/health-and-ecological-hazardscaused-hazardous-substances.

United States Geologic Survey (USGS). (2021a). Earthquake Glossary. Retrieved November 16, 2021 from
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=earthquake.

United States Geologic Survey (USGS). (2021b). Earthquake Glossary. Retrieved November 16, 2021 from
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/glossary/?term=ground%20motion

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Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
8 | Page References
United States Geologic Survey (USGS). (2021c). The Severity of an Earthquake. Retrieved November 16, 2021 from https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq4/severitygip.html.

United States Geologic Survey (USGS). (2022). M 5.3 - 11km W of Calipatria, CA.

Retrieved March 4, 2022 from
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci39919392/executive.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). (2018). Study forecasts a severe climate future for California. Retrieved March 3, 2022 from
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/california-extreme-climate-future-ucla-study.

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City of Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Appendices
PREPARED BY:

City of Laguna Hills
24035 El Toro Road
Laguna Hills, California 92653
Contact: Joe Ames, P.E., T.E., Public Works Director/City Engineer WITH ASSISTANCE FROM:

De Novo Planning Group
180 E. Main Street, Suite 108
Tustin, California 92780
Contact: Starla Barker, AICP
November 2024

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APPENDIX A
City Adoption Resolution

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A copy of the resolution will be added after the plan is formally approved by Cal OES and FEMA and adopted by the City of Laguna Hills

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APPENDIX B
Planning Process Documentation

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B1 Planning Team Meetings

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D e N o v o P l a n n i n g G r o u p
A L a n d U s e P l a n n i n g , D e s i g n , a n d E n v i r o n m e n t a l F i r m

D E N O V O P L A N N I N G G R O U P
180 E a s t M a in S t r e e t, S u it e 1 08 | T u s t in, C A 9278 0 s b a r k e r@den o v o p la nnin g . c om | TEL 9 4 9 3 96 8 1 9 3

LAGUNA HILLS

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING TEAM MEETING #1
Thursday, November 18, 2021
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
AGENDA

1. Introductions

2. Project Goals, Objectives, and Expectations
a. Project goals
b. Roles and responsibilities
i. Data needs
ii. Hazard Mitigation Planning (HMP) Team Meetings

3. Purpose and Requirements of the LHMP
a. What is Hazard Mitigation and a Hazard Mitigation Plan? b. Plan requirements
c. LHMP development

4. Hazard Identification and Prioritization
a. Identification of hazards
b. Prioritization exercise

5. Critical Facilities

6. Next Steps
a. Planning Team
b. Plan Development

7. Questions/Additional Discussion

Planning Team Meetings:
• December 16, 2021; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• January 20, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• February 17, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #1
November 18, 2021
1 First and Last Name Title Organization/Department Present? Ken Rosenfield Interim City Manager/Director
of Public Services City of Laguna Hills X
Amber Shah Associate Civil Engineer City of Laguna Hills X Amy Stonich Assistant Director of Community
Development City of Lake Forest X
April Baumbgarten Management Analyst City of Laguna Woods Cheryl Kuta Director of Development Services City of Rancho Santa Margarita X Dan Meehan Community Services
Superintendent City of Laguna Hills X
Dennis Breckner Sergeant
Orange County Sheriff’s
Department Emergency
Management Division
Duane Cave External Relations Manager SDG&E X
James Tyler Manager - Flood Programs OCPW X
Jason Gray Executive Director Saddleback Hospital X
Jason Lopez Division 5 Captain OCFA X
Jennifer Pezda Environmental Policy Advisor Southern California Gas Company
Jennifer Denmark Facilities Planner Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Joe Hoffman Director of Maintenance,
Operations, and Transportation Irvine Unified School District John McCulloch Lieutenant/Chief of Police
Services
Orange County Sheriff’s
Department Emergency
Management Division

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Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #1
November 18, 2021
2 First and Last Name Title Organization/Department Present? Jonathan Orduna Community Development
Director City of Laguna Niguel
Juan Gonzalez Public Affairs Manager Southern California Gas Company
Kelley Lee Government Relations Manager Southern California Edison Kevin Onuma County Engineer Orange County Public Works
Len Barton Safety & Compliance Coordinator Moulton Niguel Water District X Matthew Stiverson Captain OCSD X
Michelle Anderson Emergency Management Division
Director
OCSD/ Emergency
Management Division X
Michelle Claud-Clemente Animal Services Manager City of Mission Viejo X Miguel Padilla Maintenance Orange County Department of
Education X
Nardy Khan Deputy Director OCPW X
Nick Pivaroff Assistant Fire Marshal OCFA X
Omar Dadabhoy Community Development
Director City of Aliso Viejo
Paul Catsimanes Emergency Services Manager City of Mission Viejo X Penny Lew Senior Civil Engineer OCPW X
Pete Carmichael Community Development City of Irvine

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Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #1
November 18, 2021
3 First and Last Name Title Organization/Department Present? Robert Craven Assistant Superintendent SVUSD X
Scott Steinle Sergeant Orange County Sheriff’s
Department
Sharlyn de la Paz Senior Public Safety
Management Analyst City of Lake Forest
Sherri Seitz Public Relations Administrator El Toro Water District X Tammi McConnell EMS Director Orange County Health Care
Agency
TJ McGovern Division 5 Chief OCFA X
Todd Novacek Director of Operations Moulton Niguel Water District X Tony Garcia Facilities Manager Saddleback Hospital X
Starla Barker Principal Planner De Novo X
Kelly Hickler Senior Planner De Novo X

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City of Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #1
NOVEMBER 18, 2021

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Agenda
 Introductions
 Project goals, objectives & expectations
 Purpose and requirements of the LHMP
 Hazard identification and prioritization
 Critical Facilities
 Next Steps
 Questions/Additional Discussion
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 2

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Project Goals,
Objectives &
Expectations
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 3

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Project Goals
and Objectives
 Identify and address hazards
specific to Laguna Hills
 Mitigation actions to reduce the
severity/impact of the hazard
 Achieve certification by FEMA
for mitigation funding
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 4 Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000 requires states and local governments prepare a hazard mitigation plan as a precondition for receiving FEMA mitigation project grants.

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Laguna Hills
LHMP Goals
 What is the City’s goal of the LHMP?
 What do you want to accomplish?
 What will make a successful plan?
 Other community planning goals?
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 5

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Roles and
Responsibilities
 Our Job
 Facilitate the process
 Provide hazard
mitigation technical
expertise
 Maintain schedule
 Do the heavy work
 Ensure FEMA-compliant
plan
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 6  What We Ask of You
 Participate
 Provide agency-specific
information, local insight
and expertise
 Meet internal deadlines
 Ensure plan is feasible
and meets needs

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Data Needs
 Plans/studies
 Policies/programs
 Technical data
 Intrinsic/historic knowledge
 Photos
 Asset inventory for loss estimates
 Any additional relevant information
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 7

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HMP Planning
Team
 Four Planning Team Meetings
 Meeting #1 – November 18: process, hazard
identification/prioritization; critical facilities
 Meeting #2 – December 16: hazard profiles & mapping;
capabilities assessment
 Meeting #3 – January 20: risk assessment and loss
estimates; mitigation goals
 Meeting #4 – February 17: identify and prioritize mitigation actions; implementation strategy
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 8

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Purpose and
Requirements of the
LHMP
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 9

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• Sustained actions taken to reduce or
eliminate long-term risk to life and property
from hazards
What is Hazard Mitigation?
• A plan based on a community’s values and
needs
• Results from a process-oriented approach
• Focuses on mitigation strategies (making the
future safer)
What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 10 Hazard
Mitigation

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Plan
Requirements
 Provide and document opportunities for stakeholder
and public involvement
 Review and incorporate existing plans, studies,
reports, and technical information
 Document how the plan was prepared and who was
involved
 Identify how the plan will be monitored, evaluated, and updated within a five-year cycle
 Provide for continued public participation in plan maintenance City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 11

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LHMP
Development
Hazard Profiles
• Type,
location,
extent
• Previous
occurrences
• Probability of
future events
Vulnerability
Assessment
• Impacts of
hazard
• Vulnerability
to each
hazard
• Repetitive
loss
• Potential
dollar losses
Mitigation
Strategies
• Overarching
goals
• Specific
actions
• Prioritize
actions
• Who, what,
when, how
much
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 12

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Mitigation
Strategy
 Comprehensive range of mitigation actions and projects  Emphasize existing and new buildings and infrastructure  Types of mitigation actions
 Local plans and regulations
 Structure and infrastructure projects
 Natural systems protection
 Education and awareness programs
 Action Plan
 Incorporate into existing plans and policies
 Identify who responsible, funding mechanisms, other resources, when completed and how prioritized
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 13

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Plan Adoption
 Plan submitted to Cal OES/FEMA
 Receive “Approvable Pending Adoption”
 City adopts the LHMP
 Must be adopted within one calendar year
 Documentation of adoption (resolution) provided to FEMA  FEMA issues approval letter
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 14

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Hazard Identification
and Prioritization
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 15

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FEMA-Suggested
Hazards
16 Avalanche Flood Sea level rise
Climate change Geological hazards Seismic hazards
Coastal erosion Hailstorm Severe winter storm
Coastal storm Hazardous materials Tornado
Dam/reservoir failure Human-caused hazards Tsunami
Disease/pest
management Hurricane Volcano
Drought Land subsidence wildfire
Earthquake fault
rupture Landslide and mudflow Wind
Expansive soils Lightning Windstorm
Extreme heat Liquefaction

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Potential
Hazards
17 Avalanche Flood Sea level rise
Climate change Geological hazards Seismic hazards
Coastal erosion Hailstorm Severe winter storm
Coastal storm Hazardous materials Tornado
Dam/reservoir failure Human-caused hazards Tsunami
Disease/pest
management Hurricane Volcano
Drought Land subsidence Wildfire
Earthquake fault
rupture Landslide and mudflow Wind
Expansive soils Lightning Windstorm
Extreme heat Liquefaction

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Proposed
Hazard List
 Climate Change –
integrated into each hazard
 Dam/reservoir failure
 Drought
 Flood
 Human-caused hazards
(hazardous materials
spills/release, terrorism)
 Landslides and mudflow
 Seismic hazards – ground
shaking, liquefaction
 Severe weather – heavy
rains, windstorm (Santa
Ana wind events)
 Wildfire and urban fire
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 18

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Hazard
Prioritization
 Four criteria
 Probability (likelihood of
occurrence)
 Location (size of potentially
affected area)
 Maximum probable extent
(intensity of damage)
 Secondary impacts (severity
of impacts to the
community)
 A value of 1-4 is assigned
for each criteria
 Every criteria has an
importance score
 Can be used to weigh
the influence of an
individual criterion
 Criteria and importance
values are combined to
calculate a Total Score
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 19

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Score Example:

Windstorm
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 20 Unlikely
(1)
Occasional
(2)
Likely
(3)
Highly Likely
(4)
Probability
Importance score:

2.0 Probability score: 2.0 x 3 = 6
Negligible
(1)
Limited
(2)
Significant
(3)
Extensive
(4)
Location
Importance score:

0.8 Affected Area score: 0.8 x 4 = 3.2

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Score Example:

Windstorm
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 21 Weak
(1)
Moderate
(2)
Severe
(3)
Extreme
(4)
Maximum
Probable
Extent
Importance score:

0.7 Primary Impact score: 0.7 x 2 = 1.4
Negligible
(1)
Limited
(2)
Moderate
(3)
High
(4)
Secondary
Impacts
Importance score:

0.5 Secondary Impacts score: 0.5 x 4 = 0.5

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Score Example:

Windstorm
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 22 Affected Area Score
(3.2)
Impact
Impact score: 3.2 + 1.4 + 0.5 = 5.1
Primary Impact Score
(1.4)
Secondary Impact Score
(0.5)
Impact Score
(5.1)
Probability Score
(6)
Total Score
Total Score: 5.1 x 6 = 30.6
Low:
0-12
Medium:

12.1-42
High:

42.1 and up

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Prioritization
City of Laguna Hills | Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Team 23

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Critical Facilities
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 24

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Critical
Facilities
 Risk assessment will look at what facilities are in hazard zones
 Considers their replacement cost and value to the
community
 Mitigation strategies reflect vulnerabilities of critical facilities
 Strengthen existing vulnerable facilities
 Avoid building new ones in at-risk areas
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 25

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Next Steps
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 26

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Planning Team
 Provide any information or resources to
Ken Rosenfield by December 3
 Plans/studies
 Policies/programs
 Technical data
 Intrinsic/historic knowledge
 Photos
 Asset inventory for loss estimations
 Attend Meeting #2 – December 16, 2021
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 27

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Plan
Development
 Initiate community outreach
 Community Survey
 Website and Social Media
 Identify/schedule focused outreach meetings (2)
 Preparation of hazard profiles/mapping
 Initiate risk assessment
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 28

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Questions/Additional
Discussion
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 29

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D e N o v o P l a n n i n g G r o u p
A L a n d U s e P l a n n i n g , D e si gn , a n d E n v i r o n m e n t a l F i r m

D E N O V O P L A N N I N G G R O U P
180 E a s t M a in S t r e e t, S u it e 1 08 | T u s t in, C A 9278 0 s b a r k e r@den o v o p la nnin g . c om | T EL 9 4 9 3 96 8 1 9 3

LAGUNA HILLS

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING TEAM MEETING #1
Thursday, November 18, 2021
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

MEETING SUMMARY
Attendees: Refer to Attendee Log
Presentation/Discussion:
• Introductions
o City Project Manager, consultant team, and participant introductions • Project Goals, Objectives, and Expectations
o Project goals
i. Ken R., City of Laguna Hills:
• Get plan done, plan has to be actionable and useful
• OCFCD has helped mitigate and take proactive actions
• City has experienced flood events that have exceeded capacity of facilities • Have a lot to plan for
• Enhance working relationship with OCFCD, help with obligations • Notify public if cannot mitigate hazards
• Make sure cars not stranded in street to avoid rescue ii. TJ M., OCFA:
• City has SRA and wildland areas
• Islands of canyons
• Continuity of business operations/how to keep city up and running in event of disaster
iii. Amy S., City of Lake Forest
• Mirror comments from Ken and TJ
• Lake Forest is looking to get first plan in place
• Community concerned about emergency exits in city
• Lake Forest has VHFHSZ
iv. Todd N., MNWD
• Concrete plan to provide emergency water to customers in case system down and have to make repairs
a. Follow-up Discussion: Ken R. would also be interested in learning plans for above ground tanks in event of disaster. Todd noted they can schedule a side meeting to discuss

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Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Meeting #1 November 18, 2021

Page 2 ends

o Roles and responsibilities
i. Consultant Team
ii. Planning Team
o Data needs
i. Send any information you think may be helpful to Ken R. and he can forward to Starla B. o Hazard Mitigation Planning (HMP) Team Meetings
i. Meetings build on each other so we have draft plan at end of process • Purpose and Requirements of the LHMP
o What is Hazard Mitigation and a Hazard Mitigation Plan? o Plan requirements
o LHMP development
o Mitigation Strategy
o Plan Adoption
• Hazard Identification and Prioritization
o Identification of hazards/discussion
i. Starla B. – Are there any hazards that should be removed, or any that should be added? Wind and windstorm similar? Yes
ii. Ken R. – expansive soils in city, but don’t anticipate it being a particular hazard iii. Starla B. – will incorporate into geologic soils hazard and can note that not an issue iv. Ken R. – how are disease and pest management related to pandemic response? Do we need to address?
v. Starla B. – as conditions come up, some agencies choose to add to HMP, can definitely address issue because has come to forefront, depends on city’s preference, don’t have to make official decision right now, will have later discussion where we prioritize hazards o Hazards/Discussion
i. Dam/reservoir failure
- Ken R. – only one dam, but private, northerly of Ridge Route, permitted and monitored under state, but not county facility (Veeh reservoir) - Penny L. – will need to verify status of Gallivan Basin (in Laguna Niguel) - Sherri S. – Rossmoor dam in Laguna Woods would slightly affect Laguna Hills if failed, would go into Veeh reservoir. Just completed inundation studies, will provide to team.
- Matt S. – El Toro Inundation Study and Rossmoor Dam study - Ken R. – above ground reservoirs by Moulton Niguel Water District, some located southerly of Alicia Pkwy east of Moulton Pkwy, off of Gallup in southern portion of city. Alicia Pkwy – single tank Nellie Gail – one potable and 2 recycled - Len B. – have good detail on those reservoirs
ii. Drought
- Ken R. – For city, primary impact has been on landscaping (from drought), not really a hazard, just looks ugly. Does suggest that we should be pursuing more drought tolerant landscaping

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Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Meeting #1 November 18, 2021

Page 2 ends

iii. Flood
- Flood control can give list of facilities
- Ken R. – F-23 Canada channel feeds San Diego creek and ultimately ocean. Has there been any determination that under certain circumstances the San Diego creek could back up or reverse flow into Laguna Hills?
- Penny L. – not aware of any potential issues of that situation occurring, city should ID any problem areas due to OCFCD facilities. Will work with O&M group to ID any trouble spots.
- Ken R. – 2005 storm caused overflows of F-23 where crosses Del Lago Dr and Moulton Pkwy, both street segments under water and some stranded vehicles.

Flooding elsewhere in city not related to OCFCD facilities. During same storm event, get a lot of water off freeway; EL Toro Rd underpass was completely flooded, stranded vehicles and OCFA responded. Localized events, but small and rare, related to heavy rains; some locations do not have secondary outlet, infrastructure can’t handle flow. City has identified locations and has plans to repair them.
iv. Human-caused Hazards/Haz Mat
- Ken R. – does human caused hazards include transport of typical materials (like gasoline)? Starla B. – Yes
- Ken R. - No generation of haz mat as industry in city. All arterial highways are designated truck routes. Are there overlays that limit certain materials on certain routes? Not aware that any exist.
v. Landslide
- Ken R. – Landslide – southern portion of city is area of material subject to landslides. Have been isolated superficial landslides, no gross landslides. There is hillside creeping in certain southern area of city, slow movement, not immediate hazard. Responsibility of individual homeowner. Some covered in General Plan already.
vi. Liquefaction
- Ken R. – follow former canyons and creek beds; no public or private buildings in liquefaction zones.
vii. Heavy Rain
- How is heavy rain different than flood? There is some overlap of hazards, heavy rain can cause flooding, but also other damage besides flooding, like mudflows taking out roadways, will discuss overlaps in plan.
- Ken R. – City has a list of drain locations susceptible to blockage from debris flows. Also Nellie Gail Ranch HOA have a series of private equestrian trails that erode into public drain, do sandbagging every year.
viii. Windstorm/Santa Ana Winds
- Starla B. – has the city experienced significant damage from Santa Ana windstorms? Tree branches, power loss, blockage of roadways, drainage, etc.? - Ken R. – majority of power lines underground, no damage that I am aware of.

SCE has 225kV and series of 66 kV lines running through city. Occasional tree failure but City has a robust tree maintenance program, anything that has occurred in last 30 years has been minor tree branches etc.

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Laguna Hills Local Hazard Mitigation Planning Team Meeting #1 November 18, 2021

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- Duane C. (SDG&E) – yes, most lines underground, no SDG&E transmission lines going through city or substations.
ix. Fire Hazards
- TJ M. Looking at map, all LRA, but some wildland elements/islands that could potentially cause problems. Alicia Creek greenbelt, some others, ID for wildland mitigation; however, no major wildland event likely to occur in city. Fire Prevention – TJ and Jason L. will be able to help with this component. Need to address interior islands.
- Ken R. No fires stations in city boundaries. Station 22 across street and served by other stations. Station 39 not in city. Any problem with fire protection because no fire stations in city boundaries?
- TJ M. – So many stations surrounding on perimeter; response is sufficient. - Jason L. WUI plan – fire forecast and fire progression maps; identifies evacuation zones. Will send info on weather conditions based on wind and rain. - Ken R. – how to convey to public where to go in case of fire emergency? - Jason L. – evacuation zones put in place to help city so not moving a ton of people not in threat area; made easier for law enforcement to only evacuate impacted people.
- Ken R. – how to communicate this to public? Shelter locations, Community Center, City Hall
- Dan M. – Red Cross can help. High school designated shelter - Robert C. – Typically work with Red Cross. Don’t use elementary schools because small and parking issues. Usually high schools, sometimes middle schools - Ken R. – doesn’t want to add new locations, just understand existing - Matt S. – will send map of temporary shelters
- Water infrastructure – any loss of tanks; would still be able to serve community. • Critical Facilities
o Overview of critical facilities
o Will be identifying critical facilities for inclusion in the plan • Next Steps
o Planning Team
i. Provide plans/studies, resources, data to Ken by December 3 ii. Attend Meeting #2 – December 16, 2021
o Plan Development
i. Community outreach
ii. Preparation of hazard profiles/mapping
iii. Initiate risk assessment
• Questions/Additional Discussion
o Planning Team Meetings:
i. December 16, 2021; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
ii. January 20, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
iii. February 17, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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D e N o v o P l a n n i n g G r o u p
A L a n d U s e P l a n n i n g , D e s i g n , a n d E n v i r o n m e n t a l F i r m

D E N O V O P L A N N I N G G R O U P
180 E a s t M a in S t r e e t, S u it e 1 08 | T u s t in, C A 9278 0 s b a r k e r@den o v o p la nnin g . c om | T EL 9 4 9 3 96 8 1 93

LAGUNA HILLS

LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING TEAM MEETING #2
Thursday, December 16, 2021
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
AGENDA

1. Data Needs

2. Summary of Hazards/Hazard Profiles

3. Risk Assessment Methodology

4. Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern

5. Capabilities Assessment

6. Next Steps
a. Planning Team
b. Plan Development

7. Questions/Additional Discussion

Planning Team Meetings:
• January 20, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
• February 24, 2022; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (NOTE: Change in date)

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Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #2
December 16, 2021
1 First and Last Name Title Organization/Department Present? Ken Rosenfield Interim City Manager/Director
of Public Services City of Laguna Hills X
Amber Shah Associate Civil Engineer City of Laguna Hills X Amy Stonich Assistant Director of Community
Development City of Lake Forest X
April Baumbgarten Management Analyst City of Laguna Woods Cheryl Kuta Director of Development Services City of Rancho Santa Margarita X Dan Meehan Community Services
Superintendent City of Laguna Hills X
Dennis Breckner Sergeant
Orange County Sheriff’s
Department Emergency
Management Division
Duane Cave External Relations Manager SDG&E X
James Tyler Manager - Flood Programs OCPW
Jason Gray Executive Director Saddleback Hospital
Jason Lopez Division 5 Captain OCFA X
Jennifer Pezda Environmental Policy Advisor Southern California Gas Company
Jennifer Denmark Facilities Planner Saddleback Valley Unified School District
Joe Hoffman Director of Maintenance,
Operations, and Transportation Irvine Unified School District John McCulloch Lieutenant/Chief of Police
Services
Orange County Sheriff’s
Department Emergency
Management Division

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Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #2
December 16, 2021
2 First and Last Name Title Organization/Department Present? Jonathan Orduna Community Development
Director City of Laguna Niguel
Juan Gonzalez Public Affairs Manager Southern California Gas Company
Kelley Lee Government Relations Manager Southern California Edison Kevin Onuma County Engineer Orange County Public Works
Len Barton Safety & Compliance Coordinator Moulton Niguel Water District Matthew Stiverson Captain OCSD
Michelle Anderson Emergency Management Division
Director
OCSD/ Emergency
Management Division
Michelle Claud-Clemente Animal Services Manager City of Mission Viejo Miguel Padilla Maintenance Orange County Department of
Education
Nardy Khan Deputy Director OCPW X
Nick Pivaroff Assistant Fire Marshal OCFA
Omar Dadabhoy Community Development
Director City of Aliso Viejo
Paul Catsimanes Emergency Services Manager City of Mission Viejo Penny Lew Senior Civil Engineer OCPW X
Pete Carmichael Community Development City of Irvine

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Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #2
December 16, 2021
3 First and Last Name Title Organization/Department Present? Robert Craven Assistant Superintendent SVUSD
Scott Steinle Sergeant Orange County Sheriff’s
Department
Sharlyn de la Paz Senior Public Safety
Management Analyst City of Lake Forest
Sherri Seitz Public Relations Administrator El Toro Water District X Tammi McConnell EMS Director Orange County Health Care
Agency
TJ McGovern Division 5 Chief OCFA
Todd Novacek Director of Operations Moulton Niguel Water District Tony Garcia Facilities Manager Saddleback Hospital
Starla Barker Principal Planner De Novo X
Kelly Hickler Senior Planner De Novo X

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City of Laguna Hills
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Planning Team Meeting #3
March 10, 2022

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Agenda
 Risk Assessment/Vulnerability Overview
 Survey Summary
 Mitigation Strategy
 Capabilities Assessment
 Next Steps
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 2

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Summary of
Hazards/Hazard Profiles
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 4

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Hazards to be
Profiled
 Climate Change –
integrated into each hazard
 Dam/reservoir failure
 Drought
 Flood
 Human-caused hazards
 hazardous materials
spills/release
 Landslides and mudflow
 Seismic hazards
 ground shaking
 liquefaction
 Severe weather
 heavy rains
 Santa Ana winds
 Wildfire and urban fires
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 5

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Hazard Profiles
 Description of the hazard
 Location/geographic extent
 Previous occurrences
 Probability of future occurrences
 Climate change considerations
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 6

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Dam/reservoir
failure
 Description
 Catastrophic type of failure characterized by the sudden, rapid, and uncontrolled release of impounded water
 Location/geographic extent
 Veeh Reservoir, Gallivan Basin, Rossmoor Dam, MNWD
above-ground reservoirs (southerly of Alicia Pkwy east of Moulton Pkwy)
 Need studies referenced in Meeting #1
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 7

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Dam/reservoir
failure
 Previous occurrences
 No major dam failure experienced by Orange County
 Water tank failure in Westminster (1998)
 5 million gallon water storage tank ruptured – corrosion and construction defects
 Probability of future occurrences – low?
 Need studies referenced in Meeting #1
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 8

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Drought
 Description
 Period of drier-than-normal conditions resulting in waterrelated issues  Agricultural – soil moisture deficiencies
 Hydrological – precipitation shortfalls on stream flows, reservoir, lake, and groundwater levels
 Meteorological – defined on degree of dryness compared to expected average
 Socioeconomic – demand for water exceeds supply as a result of weather-related shortfall
 Location/geographic extent
 Citywide
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 9

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Drought
 Previous occurrences
 FEMA declared drought emergency – January 1977
 State declared drought emergency – 8x between 1972 and 2009  January 17, 2014 – Governor proclaimed State of Emergency  April 1, 2015 – imposed restrictions to achieve a 25% reduction in potable water usage by February 28, 2016
 October 19, 2021 – Governor proclaimed State of Emergency, calling for a voluntary reduction of water use by 15 percent across California, including Orange County
 Probability of future occurrences – high
 Function of precipitation and intensity of current drought conditions
 Higher probability based on drought history
 Forecasts – rainfall 60% of average this winter
 Changing weather patterns
 Higher temperatures and prolonged durations – reduced precipitation and reduced water supplies
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 10

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Drought
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 11

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Flood
 Description
 Water level exceeds capacity of waterway or failure of drainage infrastructure
 Location/geographic extent
 FEMA Flood Maps
 Areas around creeks/drainages – Aliso Creek
 100-year; 1% chance of a flood event in any given year  500-year; .02% chance of a flood event in any given year  Localized flooding
 Areas of City identified for improvements
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 12

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City of Laguna Hills | Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Team 13

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Flood
 Previous occurrences
 2021?
 2005 – overflows Del Lago Dr and Moulton Pkwy; El Toro Road underpass
 Localized flooding in locations with no secondary outlets  Probability of future occurrences – medium
 FEMA
 100-year; 1% chance of a flood event in any given year  500-year; .02% chance of a flood event in any given year  Potential for localized flooding associated with infrastructure constraints or significant debris/blockage
 Changing weather patterns
 Extreme wet and dry seasons; increased and prolonged rain events
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 14

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Human-caused
hazards
 Description
 Hazard Materials – release, spill or contamination of materials posing a hazard to human health
 Location/geographic extent
 Hazard Materials – commercial facilities; transportation routes  Previous occurrences
 Any previous occurrences?
 Probability of future occurrences - medium
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 15

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Landslide and
mudflow
 Description
 Landslide – down slope movement of soil and rock under direct influence of gravity
 Mudflow – river of rock, earth, and other materials, including vegetation that is saturated with water
 Location/geographic extent
 Landslides
 Earthquake-induced – defined area (mapped by California Geological Survey)
 Adjacent to ridgelines/steep hillsides
 Mudflows
 Burn scar areas
 Canyon areas/creeks
City of Laguna Hills LHMP | Hazard Mitigation Plan Team Meeting 16

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City of Laguna Hills | Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Team 17

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Laguna Hills City CouncilFebruary 25, 2025

Laguna Hills City Council
February 25, 2025