Attachment A
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
2 LOCAL HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN
2 0 2 5 F i n a l D r a ft
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
4 RECORD OF REVIEWS AND REVISIONS
Revision # Date Revisions Made Entered By
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
6 PLAN DISTRIBUTION
Date Plan
Version
Method of Distribution
(Email, Post on Server,
Provide Hard Copy, etc.)
Distributed To (Name and
Department/Organization
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
7 TABLE OF CONTENTS
RECORD OF REVIEWS AND REVISIONS .................................................................... 4 PLAN DISTRIBUTION .................................................................................................... 6 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................... 11
1.1 Hazard Mitigation Planning .................................................................................. 11
1.2 Local Mitigation Planning Requirements .............................................................. 12
1.3 Hazard Mitigation Plan Description ...................................................................... 12
1.4 Grant Programs with Mitigation Plan Requirements ............................................. 15
1.4.1 Stafford Act Grant Programs .......................................................................... 15
1.5.2 National Flood Insurance Act Grant Programs .............................................. 15 SECTION 2: PLANNING PROCESS ............................................................................ 17
2.1 Plan History .......................................................................................................... 17
2.2 Plan Purpose and Authority .................................................................................. 17
2.3 Planning Process Description .............................................................................. 18
2.4 Planning Team ..................................................................................................... 18
2.4.1 Planning Team Activities ................................................................................ 20
2.4.2 Other Jurisdictions Agency/Organizational Participation ................................ 21
2.5 Community Engagement ...................................................................................... 22
2.6 Incorporation into Other Planning Mechanisms ................................................... 24
2.7 Review of Existing Plans, Reports, Technical Documents, and Data ................... 26 SECTION 3: PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTION .......................................................... 30
3.1 Location and Description ...................................................................................... 30
3.2 Geology ................................................................................................................ 31
3.3 Climate ................................................................................................................. 32
3.4 History .................................................................................................................. 32 CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
8 3.5 Government ......................................................................................................... 32
3.6 Economy .............................................................................................................. 33
3.7 Demographics ...................................................................................................... 33
3.8 Land Use .............................................................................................................. 34
3.9 Changes in Development ..................................................................................... 35 SECTION 4: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT ........................ 37
4.1 Hazard Analysis ................................................................................................... 37
4.2 Disaster Proclamation History and Process ......................................................... 37
4.3 Hazard Identification ............................................................................................ 39
4.4 Hazard Risk Rating .............................................................................................. 55
4.5 Hazard Profiles..................................................................................................... 60
4.5.1 Climate Change ............................................................................................. 60
4.5.2 Dam Failure ................................................................................................... 70
4.5.3 Drought .......................................................................................................... 79
4.5.4 Earthquake/Geological Hazards .................................................................... 87
4.5.5 Extreme Weather (Sever Wind, Extreme Heat, Winter Storm) ...................... 97
4.5.6 Flooding ....................................................................................................... 104
4.5.7 Public Health Incidents: Pandemics, Epidemics/Infectious Diseases .......... 113
4.5.8 Fire .............................................................................................................. 118
4.5.9 Human-Caused Hazards ............................................................................. 123
4.6 Capability Assessment ....................................................................................... 139
4.7 Existing Authorities, Policies, Programs, and Resources ................................... 139
4.7.1 Planning and Regulatory Capabilities .......................................................... 139
4.7.2 Administrative and Technical Capabilities .................................................... 144
4.7.3 Financial Capabilities ................................................................................... 156
4.7.4 Education and Outreach Capabilities ........................................................... 158 CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
9 4.8 National Flood Insurance Program Participation ................................................ 160 SECTION 5: RISK ASSESSMENT ............................................................................. 161
5.1 Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern ......................................................... 161
5.2 Vulnerable Populations ...................................................................................... 165
5.3 Identification of Critical Facilities and Assets ...................................................... 169
5.4 Other Assets ...................................................................................................... 169
5.5 Risk Assessment and Potential Loss ................................................................. 169
5.6 Analysis of Potential Losses by Hazard ............................................................. 170 Dam Failure .......................................................................................................... 170 Drought ................................................................................................................. 173 Earthquake ........................................................................................................... 174 Extreme Weather (Severe Winds, Extreme Heat, Severe Rainstorms) ................ 178 Flooding ................................................................................................................ 182 Public Health Incidents: Pandemics, Epidemics ................................................... 186 Fire ....................................................................................................................... 186 Human-Caused Hazards ...................................................................................... 191 SECTION 6: MITIGATION STRATEGY ...................................................................... 196
6.1 Hazard Mitigation Statement .............................................................................. 196
6.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals and Objectives ............................................................ 196
6.3 Mitigation Actions/Projects and Implementation Strategy ................................... 197
6.4 Previous Mitigation Actions/Projects Assessment .............................................. 198
6.4.1 New Mitigation Actions ................................................................................. 204
6.4.2 Mitigation Action Plan .................................................................................. 205 SECTION 7: PLAN MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES ................................................ 223
7.1 Monitoring and Evaluation .................................................................................. 223
7.2 Plan Update ....................................................................................................... 225 CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
10 7.3 Continued Public Involvement ............................................................................ 225 APPENDIX A – LOCAL MITIGATION PLAN REVIEW TOOL .................................... 228 APPENDIX B – PLANNING TEAM MEETING DOCUMENTATION ........................... 229 APPENDIX C – PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DOCUMENTATION .................................. 249 APPENDIX D – ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................... 281
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
11 SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The City of Pasadena (City) has prepared the 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to assess the natural and human-caused risks to the City and to reduce the potential impact of these hazards by creating mitigation strategies. The 2025 LHMP represents the City’s commitment to create a safer and more resilient community by taking actions to reduce risk and by committing resources to lessen the effects of hazards on the residents and property of the City.
This plan complies with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act (2000), Federal Register 44 CFR Parts 201 and 206, which modified the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by adding a new section, 322 - Mitigation Planning. As of November 1, 2004, this law requires local governments to develop and submit hazard mitigation plans as a condition of receiving Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and other mitigation project grants. The City Fire Department has coordinated the preparation of the LHMP in cooperation with the City departments, community stakeholders, partner agencies, and members of the public.
This introduction to the LHMP provides a brief description of hazard mitigation planning, local mitigation plan requirements, and an outline of the 2025 LHMP. There is also an overview of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs and grants related to hazard mitigation.
1.1 Hazard Mitigation Planning
Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards. In general, hazard mitigation is done to minimize the impact of a hazard event before it occurs, intending to reduce losses from future disasters. 44 CFR § 201.1(b) states that the purpose of mitigation planning is for local governments to identify the hazards that impact them, to identify actions and activities to reduce losses from those hazards, and to establish a coordinated process to implement the plan, taking advantage of a wide range of resources.
For the City, hazard mitigation planning is a process in which the City will:
• Identify and profile hazards that affect the City
• Analyze the City facilities and infrastructure at risk from those hazards • Develop a mitigation strategy and actions to lessen or reduce the impact of the hazards profiled
• Implement the strategy and actions that may involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects, and other activities
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
12 The City’s implementation of mitigation actions, which include short-term or long-term strategies, is the planning process's primary objective. This type of planning will supplement the City’s comprehensive planning and emergency management programs.
1.2 Local Mitigation Planning Requirements
Hazard mitigation planning is governed by the Stafford Act, as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), and by federal regulations implementing the Stafford Act. DMA 2000 revised the Stafford Act to require state, local, and tribal governments to develop and submit to FEMA a mitigation plan that outlines processes for identifying the natural hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities of the jurisdiction. Plan approval by FEMA is a prerequisite to receiving federal hazard mitigation grant funds.
To implement the mitigation planning requirements of the Stafford Act, FEMA promulgated 44 CFR Part 201, the federal regulations governing the planning process, plan content, and the process for obtaining approval of the plan from FEMA. The planning requirements set forth in the CFR are identified throughout this plan mirroring the order of the FEMA Regulation Checklist in the Local Mitigation Planning Handbook.
Federal law and the State of California’s requirements for hazard mitigation plans require coverage of only natural hazards. The City’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (2018) includes technological and human-caused hazards as well as natural hazards. The planning team decided to cover both natural and technological/human-caused hazards for the LHMP, including a description and analysis of each hazard.
FEMA has produced a Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool, which has been tailored by Region IX as an appendix to the Local Mitigation Planning Handbook (2023), to demonstrate how the mitigation plan meets the regulation in 44 CFR § 201.6 and offers State and FEMA Mitigation Planners an opportunity to provide feedback to the jurisdiction. The Plan Review Tool has a regulation checklist that provides a summary of FEMA’s evaluation of whether the plan has addressed all requirements. Local planners can also use the checklist prior to submitting the plan for approval to ensure they have addressed all the requirements. The Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool Regulation Checklist is provided in Appendix A of this document.
1.3 Hazard Mitigation Plan Description
The 2025 LHMP consists of the sections and appendices described below:
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
13 Table 1-1: Plan Sections, Appendices, and Descriptions Section Description
Section 1: Introduction Section 1 includes an introduction to hazard mitigation planning, lists the LHMP planning requirements, provides a description of the plan, and discusses grants related to hazard mitigation.
Section 2: Hazard
Mitigation Planning
Organization and
Process
Section 2 describes the planning process for the 2025
LHMP, including an overview of how the LHMP was
prepared, identification of the LHMP planning team,
involvement of outside agencies and communities, the
inclusion of related plans, reports, and information, and stakeholder and public outreach activities.
Section 3: Planning
Area Description
Section 3 includes a description of the natural and built states of the City, including climate, geography,
demographics, land use, and economic conditions.
Section 4: Risk
Assessment
Section 4 provides a list of the hazards identified in the 2025 LHMP, a profile of each hazard and hazard
summary, and a risk assessment of the planning area.
Additionally, identifies and evaluates the resources
available for hazard mitigation within the City.
Section 5: Mitigation
Strategy
Section 5 identifies and evaluates the current, ongoing, and completed mitigation projects and programs in the City and lists mitigation strategies for reducing potential losses.
Section 6: Plan
Implementation and
Maintenance
Section 6 describes procedures for updating the LHMP to keep it current and for continued public engagement in the planning process.
Section 7: Plan
Approval and Adoption
Section 7 includes documentation of California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the U.S. Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) processes and
adoption of the LHMP by the City Council
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
14 Section Description
Appendix A Appendix A contains the FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool, which documents the City’s compliance with the local hazard mitigation plan requirements of 44 CFR Part 201.
Appendix B Appendix B contains documentation of the planning process for the planning team, including invitations,
attendee lists, meetings minutes, presentations, emails, etc.
Appendix C Appendix C contains documentation of the planning process, including surveys, social media outreach and
opportunity for comment for the stakeholders and public, and other stakeholder/public outreach efforts.
Appendix D Appendix D lists acronyms and abbreviations used in the 2025 LHMP.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
15 1.4 Grant Programs with Mitigation Plan Requirements Currently, three (3) FEMA grant programs provide funding to local entities that have a FEMA-approved local mitigation plan meeting federal hazard mitigation plan requirements. Two (2) of the grant programs are authorized under the Stafford Act. The remaining two (2) programs are authorized under the National Flood Insurance Act.
1.4.1 Stafford Act Grant Programs
FEMA funding is provided to state, local, and tribal governments that have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan through the following programs.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
The HMGP provides grants to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after declaration of a major disaster. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. To qualify for HMGP funding, projects must provide a long-term solution to a problem, and the project’s potential savings must exceed the cost of implementing the project.
HMGP funds may be used to protect either public or private property or to purchase property that has been subjected to, or is in danger of, repetitive damage. The amount of funding available for the HMGP under a particular disaster declaration is limited.
Under the program, the federal government may provide a state or tribe with up to 20 percent of the total disaster grants awarded by FEMA and may provide up to 75 percent of the cost of projects approved under the program.
1.5.2 National Flood Insurance Act Grant Programs
Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program
The goal of the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Grant Program is to reduce or eliminate flood insurance claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
This program emphasizes mitigating repetitive loss (RL) properties. The primary source of funding for the FMA program is the National Flood Insurance Fund. Grant funding is available for planning, project, and technical assistance. Project grants are awarded to local entities to apply mitigation measures to reduce flood losses to properties insured under the NFIP. In FY 2014, FMA funding totaled $89 million. The cost-share for this grant is 75 percent federal and 25 percent nonfederal. However, a cost- share of 90 percent federal and 10 percent nonfederal is available in certain situations to mitigate severe repetitive loss (SRL) properties.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
16 Repetitive Flood Claims Program
The Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC) Program provides funding to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to residential and non-residential structures insured under the NFIP. Structures considered for mitigation must have had one or more claim payments for flood damage. All RFC grants are eligible for up to 100 percent federal assistance.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
17 SECTION 2: PLANNING PROCESS
The requirements for documentation of the LHMP planning process are described below. This section summarizes the planning area’s hazard mitigation planning efforts in 2025. In addition, the section describes public and stakeholder outreach efforts as part of the LHMP planning process. The section also summarizes the review and incorporation of existing plans, studies, and reports used to develop the LHMP.
Documentation of the 2025 LHMP planning process for the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team is provided in Table 2-1, and documentation of the process for the public and stakeholders is found in Table 2-2. These appendices document the planning meetings and outreach and include meeting agendas, presentation, sign-in sheet, minutes, social media materials and other documentation used to conduct the planning process.
The planning process began with the City establishing the planning team and emailing stakeholders within the planning area to invite them to participate in the process. The City also posted a notice on its website announcing the planning process that contained a mechanism to provide input and feedback. In addition, the City identified the financial and technical resources required to update the LHMP. Once all the City’s financial and technical resources were identified, the City established the planning team and created a schedule for the process.
2.1 Plan History
The 2025 LHMP is an update of the 2018 Plan. It combines Human Caused hazards into one category and removes Agricultural Pests, Aircraft Crashes, Radiological Incidents, and Train Accidents. The 2025 LHMP contains many of the mitigation actions listed in the 2018 version as they are ongoing and still relevant.
2.2 Plan Purpose and Authority
The purpose of the Plan is to identify natural and human-caused hazards that impact the City, to assess the vulnerability and risk posed by those hazards to City-wide human and structural assets, to develop strategies for mitigation of those identified hazards, to present future maintenance procedures for the plan, and to document the planning process.
The Plan is prepared in compliance with DMA 2000 requirements and represents an updated LHMP.
The requirements for adopting this LHMP by all local governing bodies, as set forth in the Stafford Act and as amended by DMA 2000 and its implementing regulations, are CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
18 described below. The local planning requirements are documented throughout the LHMP and in Appendix A, FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool.
The City’s 2025 Operations Budget provided funding for the development of the Plan.
Navigating Preparedness Associates was retained by the City to provide consulting services in guiding the planning process and Plan development.
2.3 Planning Process Description
In August 2025, the planning process for the 2025 LHMP began. Select staff from various departments in the City, and other stakeholders were invited to join the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team to develop the 2025 LHMP. Representatives from the County of Los Angeles, Disaster Management Area Coordinator, CalTech, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Pasadena City College were invited to the Planning Team meetings.
Documentation of participant outreach and public engagement are in Appendices B and C.
2.4 Planning Team
Members of the LHMP planning team are listed in Table 2-1 below.
Table 2-1: LHMP Planning Team
Department or Agency Member Name Key Role
City Clerk Mark Jomsky Planning Team Member
City Manager’s Office Alexander Souto Planning Team Member City Manager’s Office Henry Frometa Planning Team Member City Manager’s Office, PIO Lisa Derderian Planning Team Member City Manager’s Office Sara Goldman Planning Team Member Finance Armine Trashian Planning Team Member
Finance Gloria Acevedo Planning Team Member
Fire Anthony James Planning Team Member
Fire Nallely Procopio Planning Team Member
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
19 Department or Agency Member Name Key Role
Housing Jennifer O'Reilly-Jones Planning Team Member
Human Resources Brady Griffin Planning Team Member
Information Technology Dan Augustyn Planning Team Member Library William Petry Planning Team Member
Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services
Koko Panossian Planning Team Member
Parks, Recreation, and
Community Services
Melchor Alonzo Planning Team Member
Planning & Community
Development
David Sinclair
Planning Team Member
Planning & Community
Development
Anita Cerna Planning Team Member
Planning & Community
Development
Jesse De Anda Planning Team Member
Police Arthur Chute Planning Team Member
Police Derek Locklin Planning Team Member
Police Jose Urita Planning Team Member
Public Health Adrienne Kim Planning Team Member
Public Health Michael Oshiro Planning Team Member
Public Works Brent Maue Planning Team Member
Public Works Hayden Melbourn Planning Team Member
Public Works Mandy Templeton Planning Team Member
NPA Lee Rosenberg NPA Project Manager
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
20 Department or Agency Member Name Key Role
NPA Francisco Soto NPA Lead Planner
2.4.1 Planning Team Activities
Three (3) meetings were held with the planning team: representatives from the City held the responsibility of chairing the planning team. The City project manager reviewed all documents and sent out meeting notices. Appendix B documents the LHMP planning activities. The planning team’s responsibility included providing feedback on hazards that affect the planning area, reviewing drafts of the plan, and participating in developing mitigation activities.
Table 2-2: Planning Activities
Date Activity Purpose
8/29/2024 LHMP Project Kickoff Meeting
Team Meeting #1
Introduce core Planning Team
members, review the project
management plan, align
expectations. Describe the regulatory
issues of LHMP, the value of them,
and the LHMP
planning process. Distribute data
collection forms.
11/14/2024 LHMP Planning Team Meeting
#2
Review potential hazards and select
those that pose risks. Use CPRI.
Review status of 2018 mitigation
activities and update status. Review
data-collection-sheet inputs, begin to
develop potential mitigation activities.
Request information for hazard
analysis and potential losses
2/18/2025 LHMP Planning Team Meeting
#3
Review risk assessment and potential
losses. Develop draft mitigation goals
and actions. Review current plan
mitigation activities.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
21 2.4.2 Other Jurisdictions Agency/Organizational Participation External organizations listed below participated in Planning Team meetings and reviewed drafts of the plan. They were invited by an MS Outlook invitation to the meetings. Appendix B, Planning Team Meetings notes, documents their engagement.
Table 2-3 lists the organizations and attendees that were contacted to participate in the planning process.
Table 2-3: Organization Participation
Organization Staff
Pasadena City College Alexander Boekelheide
The Rose Bowl Jenessa Castillo
California Institute of Technology Catherine Christensen Disaster Management Area Coordinator – Area C Soraya Sutherlin Jet Propulsion Laboratory Chief David Dollarhide
Los Angeles County Office of Emergency
Management
Sinan Khan
City of South Pasadena Andy Dubois
City of San Marino Mario Rueda
City of Glendale Tommy Nicola
City of Burbank Eric Baumgardner
City of Pasadena
Accessibility and Disability Commission
(Underserved Community)
Sara Goldman
City of Pasadena
Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool
Youngsters (Underserved Community)
Marina Ovanessian
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
22 Copies of the draft LHMP were provided to the City Planning Team, including the participating organizations above, and distributed to the public for their review.
Comments received from these partners are incorporated in the final draft of the LHMP and are documented in Appendix C.
2.5 Community Engagement
Once the planning process commenced, the City provided public notification through its website, press release, and social media accounts. Additionally, the City conducted an online survey to solicit input on the hazards that the City faces and the types of mitigation activities the City should undertake. The draft LHMP was placed on the City website; and hard copies were posted at City Hall and City libraries for public review and comment. Notification of the draft LHMP review and adoption by the City Council was advertised as required by the Brown Act. To reach residents who might get their information from other sources, the City included a hazard mitigation flyer within the water department’s customer bills.
The public survey input from the 189 respondents was used to select hazards and rank their effects. Earthquake and Wildfire were ranked as the two (2) top hazards of concern for residents. This input was also used to inform the Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI) in Table 4-2. Finally, survey input was used to select mitigation actions. Input from publicly posting the draft LHMP was used to refine the Plan and to prepare it for submission for review.
On November 19, 2024, the City posted information about the LHMP update process on its website and social media channels; and invited the public to take a Hazard Mitigation Survey to gather information about the public’s knowledge of hazards in the City and their level of preparedness. Appendix C contains screenshots of the website, social media, and survey. The City also invited surrounding cities and other stakeholders to review the LHMP. Appendix C contains the invitation and feedback received. A survey was distributed to request feedback on the Public Review Draft of the 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan. The feedback provided valuable insight to the community’s concerns regarding wildfire mitigation. Based on the feedback received, the City added several mitigation actions to mitigate wildfire risk, including conducting fuel modification projects to reduce fire hazard risks and creating a wildfire ordinance to reduce development in wildfire hazard zones.
On November 19, 2024, the City hosted their monthly Accessibility and Disability Commission meeting which included a presentation on the hazard mitigation planning process.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
23 On June 9, 2025, a draft of the plan was distributed to the public for review and input.
The planning team received 23 comments on the public review draft plan. After reviewing the comments, portions of the LHMP were modified or expanded. One comment received provided detailed recommendations for additional input to the LHMP from and integration with other planning mechanisms such as the City’s planning commission. While the recommendations are valuable, the planning team elected to table them until the next plan review as the current LHMP is expired and the City needs an approved LHMP for current HMPG funding opportunities.
Table 2-4: Public Engagement Activities
Date Activity Documentation
November
19, 2024 -
Present
Survey posted on City Website
with links provided in social
media accounts. General
Hazard Mitigation documents.
Documentation 1 – Survey
Documentation 2 – Posting on City
Instagram Account
Documentation 3 – Posting on City
Facebook Account
Documentation 4 – News release
Documentation 5 – Google Search
Documentation 6 – Posting on City
website
Documentation 7 – LHMP Flyer
(English)
Documentation 8 – LHMP Flyer
(Spanish)
Documentation 9 – LHMP Flyer
(Chinese)
Documentation 10 – Survey
(Spanish)
Documentation 11 – Survey
(Chinese)
Documentation 12 – City website
presentation and newsletter
November
19, 2024
Public Meetings Documentation 13: Accessibility &
Disability Commission Presentation
Agenda
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
24 Date Activity Documentation
3 months Public hazard mitigation survey
conducted.
Documentation 14: Survey results
Ongoing Outreach Materials at Public
Facing Facilities
Documentation 15: Outreach
Materials at Public Facing Facilities
6/9/2025 Draft LHMP provided for public
review.
Documentation 16: Survey
Distribution for Feedback
Ongoing Survey Results to Public Review
Draft Feedback
Documentation 17: Survey
Distribution for Feedback
6/24/2025 Draft LHMP provided to
neighboring jurisdiction for
review and comment.
Documentation 18: Email/Feedback
2.6 Incorporation into Other Planning Mechanisms
The City’s 2018 LHMP provide key input to and was incorporated into the following planning mechanisms:
1. City Emergency Operations Plan - Hazards descriptions in the LHMP were abbreviated and included in the EOP.
2. General Plan - Land Use Policies: Reviews of zoning and land use policies were conducted to align with hazard mitigation priorities, such as restricting development in flood-prone areas.
The City’s 2025 hazard mitigation identification, risk assessment, plan recommendations and mitigation actions will be integrated into the following planning mechanisms.
Emergency Operations Plan
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
25 1. Hazards identified in this LHMP were incorporated into the EOP .
2. Align Response Strategies: Ensured that the EOP incorporates the hazard profiles and mitigation strategies from the LHMP for a cohesive response framework.
3. Training and Exercises: Conducted joint training and exercises based on scenarios identified in the LHMP to improve preparedness.
Public Health Emergency Operations Plan
1. The LHMP informed the risk assessment of the Public Health Emergency Operations Plan.
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
1. Aligned LHMP actions with climate adaptation strategies to address the increasing frequency and severity of hazards due to climate change. For example, enhanced urban green spaces to mitigate heatwaves.
2. Infrastructure Resilience: Planned for resilient infrastructure investments, such as upgrading drainage systems to handle increased rainfall.
Building Codes and Regulations:
1. Strengthen Building Standards: Update building codes to incorporate hazard- resistant construction practices, such as seismic retrofitting for earthquake-prone areas.
2. Enforcement and Incentives: Implement enforcement mechanisms and provide incentives for property owners to comply with updated building standards.
Community Rating System (CRS)
1. Enhanced Floodplain Management: Integrated LHMP strategies into the CRS to improve floodplain management and potentially lower flood insurance premiums for residents.
2. Public Education: Used CRS outreach activities to educate the public about hazard mitigation and preparedness.
Climate Action Plan:
1. Developed climate adaptation strategies and actions that complement other hazard mitigation strategies when appropriate.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
26 2. Address Climate Risks: Aligned LHMP actions with the Climate Action Plan to address climate-related hazards such as extreme heat, wildfires, and flooding.
General Plan
1. When possible, updated the Housing Element, Safety Element, and/or local hazard mitigation plan concurrently or sequentially to synchronize long-term integration and meet SB 1035 requirements.
2. Incorporated Hazard Mitigation Goals: Embed the LHMP's goals and objectives into the city's general plan to ensure alignment with broader land use and development policies.
3. Land Use Policies: Updated zoning and land use policies to reflect hazard mitigation priorities, such as restricting development in flood-prone areas.
Incorporating a diverse range of plans and strategies into the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ensures a comprehensive approach to reducing risks and enhancing community resilience. By addressing risk assessments, land use planning, infrastructure resilience, community engagement, emergency response, natural resource management, economic resilience, and continuous monitoring, communities can better prepare for, respond to, and recover from hazards and disasters.
2.7 Review of Existing Plans, Reports, Technical Documents, and Data In updating the LHMP, the Planning Team used a large number of resource documents and references. Table 2-5 contains a comprehensive list of guidance, policy tools, extant plans, and authorities incorporated to create the current Plan.
Table 2-5: Resource Documents and References Reviewed and Incorporated in the Plan
Referenced Document or
Technical Source
Resource
Type
Description of Reference
and Its Use
California State Hazard
Mitigation Plan (2023)
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/w
p-content/uploads/Hazard-
Mitigation/Documents/2023-
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Provides the State of California’s
Hazard Mitigation Plan for 2023-
2028. Describes hazards that
informed the hazard analysis and
risk assessment portion of this
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
27 Referenced Document or
Technical Source
Resource
Type
Description of Reference
and Its Use
California-SHMP_Volume-
1_11.10.2023.pdf
LHMP.
County of Los Angeles All
Hazards Mitigation Plan
(2020)
https://ceo.lacounty.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2023/08/Co
unty-of-Los-Angeles-All-
Hazards-Mitigation-Plan-
APPROVED-05-2020.pdf
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Describes hazards that informed the
hazard analysis and risk assessment
sections of this LHMP.
California Energy
Commission (2018).
California’s Fourth Climate
Change Assessment
https://www.energy.ca.gov/d
ata-
reports/reports/californias-
fourth-climate-change-
assessment
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Describes monitoring, analysis,
and modeling of climate as well as
efforts designed to reduce
emissions.
FEMA Dam Safety
https://www.fema.gov/emerg
ency-managers/risk-
management/dam-safety
Technical
Resource
Database used in the dam failure
hazard profiling. Used in the risk
assessment.
National Weather Service
https://www.weather.gov/
Technical
Resource
Source for hazard information, data
sets, and historical event records.
Used in the risk assessment.
United States Geological
Survey Earthquake Hazards
Program.
https://www.usgs.gov/progr
ams/earthquake-hazards
Technical Data Source for geological hazard data
and incident data. Used in the risk
assessment.
Western Regional Climate
Center
Website Data Online resource for climate data
used in climate discussion.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
28 Referenced Document or
Technical Source
Resource
Type
Description of Reference
and Its Use
https://wrcc.dri.edu/
California Department of
Conservation
https://www.conservation.ca
.gov/cgs/geohazards
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Identifies significant geologic
hazards that exist, or are likely to
exist, so that informed land use and
emergency response planning
decisions can be made.
California Department of
Water Resources
https://water.ca.gov/Progra
ms/All-Programs/Division-
of-Safety-of-
Dams/Inundation-Maps
https://fmds.water.ca.gov/we
bgis/?appid=dam_prototype
_v2
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Provides information on dam safety,
a list of dams within California and
dam inundation maps for dams in
the planning area.
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Resource for LHMP guidance (How-
To series), floodplain and flood-
related NFIP data (mapping,
repetitive loss, NFIP statistics), and
historic hazard incidents. Used in the
risk assessment and mitigation
strategy.
Cybersecurity &
Infrastructure Security
Agency
https://www.cisa.gov/
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Resource for cybersecurity and
cyberattack guidance, especially
regarding critical infrastructure and
public utilities. Describes historical
cybersecurity incidents and lessons
learned. Used in the risk
assessment and mitigation strategy.
HAZUS-MH Technical
Resource
Base data sets within the program
were used in the vulnerability
analysis.
National Centers for Technical Online resource for weather-related data and historic hazard event data.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
29 Referenced Document or
Technical Source
Resource
Type
Description of Reference
and Its Use
Environmental Information
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/
data-access
Resource Used in the risk assessment.
National Integrated Drought
Information System (2025)
https://www.drought.gov/dro
ught/
Technical
Resource
Source for drought-related
projections and conditions. Used in
the risk assessment.
California Energy
Commission (2018).
California’s Fourth Climate
Change Assessment
https://www.energy.ca.gov/d
ata-
reports/reports/californias-
fourth-climate-change-
assessment
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Describes monitoring, analysis,
and modeling of climate as well as
efforts designed to reduce
emissions.
California Governor’s Office
of Emergency Services
http://myhazards.caloes.ca.g
ov/
Technical and
Planning
Resource
Provides a tool for the general public
to discover hazards in their area
(earthquake, flood, fire, and tsunami)
and learn steps to reduce personal
risk.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
30 SECTION 3: PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTION
The following section provides an overview of the City’s planning area. It includes a description of the natural and population characteristics.
3.1 Location and Description
The City is located in the San Gabriel Valley, at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.
The area was part of Rancho El Rincon de San Pasqual, a northeast section of the San Gabriel Mission (1771). The City was founded in 1874 by Thomas B. Elliott as Indiana Colony; the name Pasadena, a Chippewa word meaning “crown of the valley,” was adopted in 1875.
The City’s growth as a winter resort and citrus center was stimulated by the Santa Fe Railway, and subsequent freeway construction brought it within easy commuting distance to Los Angeles, which lies 12 miles (19 km) southwest.
Pasadena is the home to many recognized businesses including: Pasadena City (community) College (1924), Pacific Oaks College (1945), and Art Center College of Design (1930), California Institute of Technology- CalTech (1891), the Pasadena Playhouse, the Norton Simon Museum of Art (formerly Pasadena Art Institute and Pasadena Museum of Modern Art), and the Pacific Asia Museum contains exhibits on the history and art of Asia and the Pacific; its grounds contain a Chinese courtyard garden and koi ponds.
The City is perhaps most famous for its New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses, first held in 1890, which features a televised parade attended by several hundred thousand people and the Rose Bowl classic, a contest between two (2) major college gridiron football teams.
The City is served by the California 210 - Foothill Freeway, the California 110 - Pasadena Freeway (Arroyo Seco Parkway), the California 134 - Ventura Freeway, and the California Interstate 710 - Long Beach Freeway. The major arterial highways are Fair Oaks Avenue, Lake Avenue, and Los Robles Avenue, which run north to south.
Colorado Boulevard. Walnut Street, Del Mar Boulevard, and Green Street run east to west.
Pasadena has a residential population of 138,310. Pasadena consists of 23 square miles and is approximately 58% residential, 9% commercial, 2% industrial and 31% open space, parks, institutional or vacant land. (Land Use Element of Revised General Plan, 2015). The boundary is shown against the regional topography in Figure 3-1.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
31 Figure 3-1. City Boundary with Topography
3.2 Geology
The Los Angeles Basin is a seismically active area in Southern California located in the northern portion of the Peninsular Ranges geomorphic province and is a northwest- trending alleviated lowland plain, sometimes called the Coastal Plain of Los Angeles.
The Peninsular Ranges are characterized by northwest-trending blocks of mountain ridges and sediment-floored valleys. The dominant geologic structural features are northwest reverse faults that form the southern margin of the Transverse Ranges.
Furthermore, the Los Angeles Basin is filled with sedimentation thousands of feet thick and is structurally influenced by thrusting fault blocks and strike slip fault expressions trending northwest.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
32 3.3 Climate
The climate is sub-tropical and simi-arid. The average daytime temperature is 78 Fahrenheit (26 Celsius) annually. The average nighttime temperature is 53 Fahrenheit (11 Celsius). The overall average temperature is 65 (18 C). The highest recorded temperature was 113 Fahrenheit (45 C) on June 17, 1917, while the lowest recorded temperature was 21 Fahrenheit (-6 C) on January 7, 1913. The average yearly rainfall is 20 inches. During the winter months of December through March, it is a sunny or partly sunny 75 percent of the time. It has snowed twice in the City’s history: January 13, 1932, and January 7, 1913.
3.4 History
In 1886 Pasadena incorporated, largely as a measure to rid the City of its saloon. In the ensuing decade, amenities such as sewers, paved streets, and electric street lighting were installed. On January 1, 1890, the Valley Hunt Club initiated a mid-winter festival with a procession of flower-bedecked horses and carriages. This became a yearly tradition that in 1898 was formally sponsored by the Tournament of Roses Association.
An added tourist attraction was the Echo Mountain incline railway which opened in 1893 and included a mountain chalet resort and the Alpine Tavern at Crystal Springs.
The cultural and educational side of the City was not neglected. The educational system expanded in both the public and private sector. Throop Polytechnic Institute (first named Throop University) was founded in 1891 and later became the California Institute of Technology.
3.5 Government
The City has a Council-Manager form of government with seven (7) City Councils, each electing a Councilmember to a four (4)-year term. The mayor is an at-large or Citywide elected position serving a four (4)-year term. The City Council is responsible for setting policies, passing ordinances, adopting the budget, appointing committee members, and hiring the City Manager, City Attorney/City Prosecutor, and the City Clerk.
The mayor acts as the chief executive of the City in performing all acts required to be performed under the laws of the State of California and our City Charter. The mayor is the official head of the City for all ceremonial purposes, by the Courts for serving civil process and by the Governor of the State for military purposes. The mayor has a voice and vote in all proceedings of the City Council and presides over City Council meetings.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
33 The City has 17 departments, three (3) operating companies, the Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community Development Commission (PCOC), and a City Council Office.
3.6 Economy
Pasadena has a diverse economy of employers from various sectors, including distribution, retail/wholesale trade, manufacturing, administrative support, construction, hotels and entertainment, health services, and education. Nearly 71,039 of the population are employed in a wide variety of industries. According to the 2023 American Community Survey Estimates, population 16 years and older are employed as follows:
52.6 percent managerial and professional related occupations; 16.2 percent service occupations; 20.4 percent sales and office occupations; 5.1 percent construction, extraction and maintenance occupations; and 5.7 percent production, transportation, and materials moving technology occupations.
3.7 Demographics
Pasadena is an ethnically diverse community. The 2023 American Community Survey Estimates found 38 percent of Pasadena residents are white, 32 percent are Hispanic, 18 percent are Asian, 8 percent are African American, 3 percent are American Indian and Alaska Native, and 5 percent are some other races. (Percentages may add up to more than 100 percent because individuals may report more than one race.)
Table 3-1: City Demographics
Total
Population,
All Races
America
n Indian
& Alaska
Native
Asian
Black or
African
American
Native
Hawaiian
& Other
Pacific
Islander
White (Not
Hispanic
or Latino)
Some
Other
Race
Two (2)
or More
Races
Hispanic or
Latino
(Overlaps
with other
race
categories)
137,554 711 24,492 11,022 81 47,131 24,984 17,174 48,538 N/A 0.52% 17.81% 8.01% 0.06% 34.26% 18.16% 12.49% 35.29%
Note: Population by race for each racial category is also shown as a percentage of the total population for that community. U.S. Census estimates based upon data and surveys collected by the American Community Survey over a five (5)-year period. These estimates are issued annually between full Decennial Census counts conducted each decade.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
34 3.8 Land Use
Pasadena’s General Plan Land Use Element is grounded by Guiding Principles that cumulatively represent the community’s vision for the future. The Guiding Principles were developed through an extensive program of community outreach and input conducted over a six (6)-year period. The Guiding Principles are:
1. Growth will be targeted to serve community needs and enhance the quality of life. Higher density development will be directed away from residential neighborhoods and into the Central City, Transit Villages, and Neighborhood Villages. These areas will have a diverse housing stock, job opportunities, exciting cities with commercial and recreational uses, and transit opportunities.
New development will build upon Pasadena’s tradition of strong sense of place, great neighborhoods, gardens, plazas, parks, and trees.
2. Pasadena’s historic resources will be preserved. Citywide, new development will be in harmony with and enhance Pasadena’s unique character and sense of place. New construction that could affect the integrity of historic resources will be compatible with, and differentiated from, the existing resource.
3. Pasadena will be an economically vital City by providing jobs, services, revenues, and opportunities. A diverse economic base with jobs for Pasadena residents will be fostered; existing businesses will be encouraged to stay or expand; affordable housing will be provided for the labor pool; the continued fiscal health of the City will be ensured.
4. Pasadena will be a socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable community. Safe, well designed, accessible and human-scale residential and commercial areas will be provided where people of all ages can live, work and play.
5. These areas will include neighborhood parks, urban open spaces and the equitable distribution of public and private recreational facilities; new public spaces will be acquired. Human services will be coordinated and made accessible to those who need them.
6. Pasadena will be a City where people can circulate without cars. Specific plans in targeted development areas will emphasize a mix of uses, pedestrian activity, and transit; public and private transit will be made more available; neighborhood villages and transit villages will reduce the need for auto use.
7. Pasadena will be a cultural, scientific, corporate, entertainment and education center for the region. Long-term growth opportunities will be provided for existing CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
35 institutions; a healthy economy will be fostered to attract new cultural, scientific, corporate, and entertainment and educational institutions.
8. Community Participation will be a permanent part of achieving a greater city.
Citizens will be provided with timely and understandable information on planning issues and projects; citizens will directly participate in shaping plans and policies for Pasadena’s future.
The Land Use Diagram (Figure 3-2) functions as a guide to the general public, planners, and decision-makers, depicting the ultimate pattern of development for Pasadena in 2035, consistent with the requirements of State planning law (Government Code§65302(a)). It depicts the distribution of various uses and intensity of development that shall be permitted as the physical representation of this element’s goals and policies.
3.9 Changes in Development
Tracking previous and future growth in potential hazard areas provides an overview of increased exposure to hazards within a community. Hazard mitigation plan updates must be revised to reflect changes in development within the planning area during the previous performance period of the plan, as stated in 44 CFR Section 201.6(d)(3). The plan must describe changes in development in hazard- prone areas that increased or decreased vulnerability since the last plan was approved.
The City has adopted a general plan that governs land-use decisions and policymaking, as well as a building code and specialty ordinances based on state and federal mandates. This hazard mitigation plan update assumes that some new development over the performance period occurred in hazard areas. All new development would have been regulated pursuant to local programs and codes, such as the International Building Code and flood damage prevention requirements of the NFIP. Therefore, it is assumed that hazard vulnerability did not measurably increase, even if exposure did.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
36 Figure 3-2: City Land Use Diagram
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
37 SECTION 4: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT This section of the LHMP includes requirements for hazard profiles and a risk assessment, as provided in the Code of Federal Regulations. The goal of mitigation is to reduce the future impacts of hazards, including loss of life, property damage, disruption to the local economy, and the expenditure of public and private funds for recovery.
4.1 Hazard Analysis
A hazard analysis consists of identifying, screening, and profiling each hazard. The hazard analysis encompasses natural, human-caused, and technological hazards.
Natural hazards result from unexpected or uncontrollable natural events of significant size and destructive power. Human-caused hazards result from human activity and encompass technological hazards. Technological hazards are generally accidental or result from events with unintended consequences (for example, accidental release of hazardous materials).
The goal of mitigation is to reduce the future impacts of hazards, including loss of life, property damage, disruption to the local economy, and the expenditure of public and private funds for recovery. Hazard identification was conducted as part of the planning process. For the 2025 LHMP, the potential risk for each hazard was rated using the Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI). The CPRI examines four (4) criteria for each hazard (probability, magnitude/severity, warning time, and duration). Table 4-5 provides the results of the CPRI which were used to both select applicable hazards to include in the LHMP and to determine risk.
4.2 Disaster Proclamation History and Process
When there is a condition of extreme peril or potential peril to the safety of persons and property, and the condition is beyond the capability of the local jurisdiction to control effectively, the local governing body (city council, board of supervisors, or a person authorized by ordinance) may proclaim that a local emergency exists. The local government may request the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director to concur in their proclamation of a local emergency and to provide assistance under the California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA).
A copy of the resolution must be provided to the Los Angeles Operational Area as soon as possible for transmission to Cal OES. When a county proclaims a local emergency pursuant to Section 8630 of the Government Code, based upon conditions which CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
38 include both incorporated and unincorporated territory of the county, it is not necessary for the cities to also proclaim the existence of a local emergency independently.
If sufficient conditions occur, the state may proclaim a state of emergency to fully commit state and mutual aid assistance and provide resources to assist local government. Following the proclamation of a state of emergency, the California OES Director may recommend that the Governor request a Presidential declaration of a major disaster under the authority of Public Law 93-288. The Governor’s request to the president is submitted through FEMA.
Table 4-1 below lists the state and federal disaster declarations affecting Los Angeles County.
Table 4-1: Los Angeles County Disaster Proclamation History
Year Disaster # Hazard Declaration
2025 DR-4856-CA Fire California Wildfires ad Straight-line Winds 2025 DR-4769-CA Severe
Storm
Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes,
Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2023 DR-4699-CA Severe
Storm
Severe Winter Storms, Tornadoes,
Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2023 EM-3592-CA Flood California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2023 DR-4683-CA Flood California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
2020 DR-4569-CA Fire California Wildfires
2020 DR-4482-CA Pandemic California COVID-19 Pandemic
2018 DR-4353-CA Wildfires,
Flooding,
Mudflows,
Debris
Flows
California Wildfires, Flooding, Mudflows,
and Debris Flows
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
39 Year Disaster # Hazard Declaration
2017 DR-4305-CA Flooding Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides in California
One (1) of three (3) proclamations that
covered 57/58 counties in the state
2012-
2016
Statewide
Drought
Drought This period was one of the driest in
California history since record-keeping
began. The drought led to Governor Jerry
Brown's instituting mandatory 25% water
restrictions in June 2015.
2013 Heatwave Extreme
Heat
In late June 2013, an intense heatwave
struck the Southwestern United States.
Various places in Southern California
reached up to 122°F.
2009 H1N1
Swine flu
State proclamation
4.3 Hazard Identification
A list of all hazards that had the potential to occur in the City was presented to stakeholders in the first Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) meeting and to the general public through a survey. The list of hazards was derived from the 2018 LHMP, the 2018 Emergency Operations Plan, the 2020 County of Los Angeles All- Hazards Mitigation Plan, and the 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The 2018 LHMP contained the following hazards:
• Earthquake
• Wildfire
• Drought/Water Shortage
• Windstorm
• Energy Shortage/Outage
• Agricultural Pests/Disease
• Infectious Disease
• Terrorism
• Cyber Attack
• Civil Disturbance
• Landslide/Earth Movements
• Extreme Heat
• Hailstorm
• Air Pollution
• Oil Spill
• Dam Failure
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
40 • Hazardous Material Release
• Radiological Incidents
• Aircraft Crashes
• Train Accidents
• Natural Gas Pipeline/Storage
Facility
FEMA guidance identifies several hazards that communities should evaluate for inclusion in a hazard mitigation plan. Communities may also consider additional hazards for their plans. The HMPC reviewed the previous hazards in the 2018 plan and discussed other potential hazards, excluding ones that do not pose a threat or are not a significant concern to Pasadena.
Table 4-2 lists the hazards considered and explains the reasoning for inclusion/exclusion. For context, this table also shows if a hazard is recommended for consideration by FEMA, if it is included in the 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP), and if it is included in the Los Angeles County Hazard Mitigation Plan (LAC HMP).
Table 4-2: Hazard Evaluation for Pasadena LHMP
Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Agricultural
Pests
SHMP No While historically agricultural
activities have occurred within
the City, commercial farming
does not occupy a large
amount of land. Most farmland
has been replaced by new
residential and commercial
developments. Without the
presence of these large
agricultural areas in the
community, the HMPC did not
identify this as a hazard of
concern for the City.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
41 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Air
Pollution
SHMP No Air pollution is a state and
regional issue that is
addressed through plans and
regulations administered by
the South Coast Air Quality
Management District and/or
California Air Resources
Board.
Since the City does not
regulate these resources, the
HMPC did not identify this as a
hazard of concern that could
be addressed in this plan.
Aircraft
Incident
SHMP No Hollywood Burbank Airport is
located within 15 miles of the
City. This facility is operated
under a Joint Powers
Agreement that the City is
party to, however the JPA
conducts all planning activities
for the facility.
Given the lack of control over
this asset and few past
incidents associated with
aircraft incidents have
occurred, the HMPC
determined that this hazard
should not be included in the
plan.
Aquatic
Invasive
Species
SHMP No There are no major riparian
environments in Pasadena
where aquatic invasive species
could endanger the
community.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
42 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Avalanche FEMA guidance
SHMP
No Pasadena is not located within
potential avalanche zones.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
43 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Civil
Disturbance
or Riot
SHMP No The HMPC determined that
the City includes a number of
areas where large
populations visit/congregate,
however these locations have
not experienced significant
issues associated with civil
disturbance. There was a
large-scale protest in 2020
associated with the George
Floyd killing. While
considerable resources were
expended providing security
resources, no injuries or
property damage occurred.
In January 2025, Pro-
Palestinian protesters
disrupted the 135th annual
Rose Parade for about 20
minutes. A dozen or so
protesters sat down on the
street at the intersection of
Lake Ave. and Colorado
Boulevard at the start of the
parade. Police let the
protesters stay for 20 minutes
before stepping in to escort
them off the street, prompting
cheers to erupt from the
crowd.
Occasional protests have also
occurred at PCC but have
largely been nonviolent. For
this reason, the HMPC did not
identify this as a hazard of
concern.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
44 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Climate
Change
SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes Climate change is discussed
as a function of each relevant
hazard and is mentioned
throughout the Plan.
Coastal
Flooding
and Storm
FEMA guidance
SHMP
No Pasadena is not located
along the coast of California.
Coastal flooding and storms
are not anticipated to impact
the community.
Cyber
Threats
SHMP Yes With the increase in cyber
threats occurring throughout
California and the nation, the
HMPC is concerned about
the potential effects on vital
records, communications and
industrial control systems.
Dam Failure FEMA guidance
SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes Pasadena is located
downstream of Devils Gate
Dam, classified by the
California Department of
Water Resources as an
extremely high danger dam,
operated by Los Angeles
County Public Works. Due to
City's location downstream of
these facilities, the HMPC
identified dam failure as a
hazard of concern.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
45 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Drought SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes While the HMPC is confident
in the current hydrologic
infrastructure to supply water
for the City, drought can
potentially impact the
operations Pasadena Water
and Power. Long term
drought can reduce available
water from the Raymond
Basin aquifer and may result
in reduced resources
available from the State
Water Project through the
Metropolitan Water District.
The HMPC does not consider
drought to be a local issue
alone, but rather a regional
one. It is addressed in both
the State and Los Angeles
County HMP's.
Loss of
Power
SHMP Yes While energy shortage has
the potential to occur in
Pasadena, the risk
associated with this is similar
to surrounding communities.
For loss of power, the bigger
concern for the City is the
effects this could have on
critical infrastructure services.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
46 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Epidemic,
Pandemic,
Vector-
Borne
Disease
SHMP Yes Pasadena is in Los Angeles
County, which has
experienced several health-
related incidents in the past.
Pasadena is one of three (3)
cities in California that
operates its own public health
department.
The HMPC felt it was best to
address issues with infectious
diseases and other public
health issues through the
Department of Public Health
preparedness planning
mechanisms such as the
Public Health Emergency
Operations Plan.
Erosion FEMA guidance
SHMP
No While a part of the City is in
the hilly Arroyo Seco, it is
mostly protected parkland
and open space. the HMPC
did not identify erosion as a
hazard of concern for the
City.
Expansive
Soil
FEMA guidance No Expansive soils were not
identified by the HMPC as a
hazard of concern. While they
could exist, the City requires
compliance with the
California Building Code,
which is intended to mitigate
hazards associated with this
condition.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
47 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Extreme
Cold
FEMA guidance
SHMP
No Temperatures in the City do
not reach a level that would
be considered a danger to
public safety. Due to this the
HMPC did not identify this as
a hazard of concern.
Extreme
Heat
FEMA guidance
SHMP
Yes Extreme heat has occurred in
Pasadena and is expected to
be a recurring event. Extreme
heat was identified by the
HMPC as a hazard of
concern and included in the
Extreme Weather profile.
Fault
Rupture
FEMA guidance
SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes The Raymond Fault is a
known Alquist-Priolo fault
zone is located within
Pasadena. As a result, the
HMPC identified this as a
hazard of concern to the City.
Fault rupture is included in
the discussion of Seismic
Hazards.
Flooding FEMA guidance
SHMP
Yes Several watercourses
transect the City and are
identified within FEMA flood
hazard zones. While
significant flooding events
have not affected properties
within the City recently, the
presence of these flood
zones indicates the potential
for future hazards. The
HMPC identified flooding as a
hazard of concern included in
the Flooding profile.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
48 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Fracking SHMP No Fracking does not occur in
the City.
Hail FEMA guidance No Hail that is severe enough to
pose a threat to people and
property is too rare in
Pasadena to be included.
Hazardous
Materials
Release
SHMP Yes The presence of uses for
storing, manufacturing,
disposing, and transporting
hazardous materials was
identified as a concern for the
HMPC. In addition, several
major roadways, freeways,
and rail lines transecting the
City allow for the transport of
these materials that could
endanger the community if a
release into the environment
were to occur
Hurricane FEMA guidance
SHMP
No Hurricanes do not occur in
Pasadena. Although Tropical
Stom Hillary impacted the
City in August 2023, no
fatalities from Hilary were
reported in the state. Damage
to residences and critical
infrastructure as very
minimal.
Infrastructure
Failure
SHMP No Infrastructure failure can pose
a threat to people and
property in Pasadena. A
discussion of infrastructure
failure is discussed as a
function of other hazards.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
49 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Landslide FEMA guidance
SHMP
Yes Landslides associated with
earthquakes can occur in the
hilly sections of the City. This
hazard is included in the
discussion of the Seismic
Hazards section.
Levee
Failure
SHMP No While levees are located
within the City in Arroyo
Seca, they were not deemed
a significant concern for
failure. These levees are
owned and managed by Los
Angeles County and the City
does not have the authority to
address these facilities but
coordinates with the County
on issues and upgrades.
Based on this, the HMPC did
not include levee failure as a
hazard of concern.
Lightning FEMA guidance No Although lightning does
occasionally occur in
Pasadena, it does not pose a
significant threat to people or
property.
Liquefactio
n
FEMA guidance
SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes According to mapping
prepared by the California
Geological Survey, area in
Arroyo Seca and the western
section of the City are prone
to liquefaction prone areas.
This hazard is included in the
discussion of the Seismic
Hazards section.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
50 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Methane
Containing
Soils
SBC HMP No The City does not have
methane- containing soils
that pose a threat to the
public health and safety of
residents and businesses.
The HMPC did not identify
this as a hazard of concern to
the City.
Natural Gas
Pipeline
Hazards
SHMP Yes Natural gas pipelines traverse
Pasadena, posing a danger
to people and property if they
were to breach and release
their contents. This condition
is discussed in the
Community Profile in Chapter
2 and is discussed in the
vulnerability assessment
where applicable.
Oil Spills SHMP No There is no history of oil
drilling and extraction within
the City. Based on this, the
HMPC did not identify this as
a hazard of concern to the
City.
Power
Failure
SHMP No While power loss events can
occur in the City, the HMPC
determined that this hazard
shouldn't be addressed within
the LHMP and is better suited
as a hazard addressed in the
City's EOP.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
51 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Radiological
Accidents
SHMP No There are no known major
sources of radiation in
Pasadena or the immediate
surrounding area that could
pose a serious threat to the
community.
Sea-level
Rise
FEMA guidance
SHMP
No The City is not located along
the coast or near any large
bodies of seawater. The
HMPC did not identify this as
a hazard of concern for the
City
Seiche FEMA guidance
SHMP
No There are no major bodies of
water in Pasadena that could
be subjected to seiche.
Seismic
Shaking
FEMA guidance
SHMP
Yes Pasadena is in a seismically
active area where shaking
can be severe enough to
damage property or cause
loss of life. For this reason,
the HMPC determined it
should be addressed in this
plan.
Severe
Wind
FEMA guidance Yes Severe Weather includes
discussions regarding
extreme heat, severe wind,
and rain, which are weather-
related hazards that are most
common in Pasadena.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
52 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Severe
Weather
and Storms
FEMA guidance
SHMP
Yes Severe Weather includes
discussions regarding
extreme heat, severe wind,
and rain, which are weather-
related hazards that are most
common in Pasadena.
Storm
Surge
FEMA guidance No Pasadena is not a coastal
community. The HMPC did
not identify this as a hazard
of concern to the City.
Subsidence FEMA guidance Yes The HMPC believed that
subsidence could occur with
significant groundwater
pumping. Subsidence is not
discussed as a stand-alone
hazard but rather is a function
of the Seismic Hazards
profile.
Terrorism SHMP Yes The HMPC was concerned
about terrorism incidents
posing a threat to public
safety given the number of
significant locations that
could be considered targets
within the City. A discussion
of this is in the Human-
Caused Hazards profile.
Thunderstorm SHMP No Thunderstorms that cause
damage and endanger public
safety are rare in the
Southern California region.
The HMPC did not identify
this as a hazard of concern.
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53 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Tornadoes FEMA guidance
SHMP
No No tornadoes are known to
have occurred in Pasadena.
The HMPC did not identify
this as a hazard of concern.
Transportat
ion
Accidents
SHMP Yes Around the City,
transportation accidents
could endanger public safety.
A discussion of this is in the
Human-Caused Hazards
profile.
Tree
Mortality
SHMP No The HMPC noted that the
City's has a significant
number of trees, however the
City currently manages these
resources effectively and did
not feel it was necessary to
profile as a hazard of
concern.
Tsunami FEMA guidance
SHMP
No Pasadena is not a coastal
community. The HMPC did
not identify this as a hazard
of concern to the City
Urban Fire SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes The HMPC identified urban
fires as a risk to property and
life in Pasadena.
Volcano SHMP No There are no volcanoes near
Pasadena to reasonably pose
a threat. The HMPC did not
identify this as a hazard of
concern to the City
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
54 Hazard
Recommended
for
Consideration
Included
in
LHMP?
Reason for
Inclusion or Exclusion
Wildland
Fire
FEMA guidance
SHMP
LAC HMP
Yes Portions of the City are in the
very high fire danger zone as
determined by Cal Fire.
These areas are in the
northern canyons and
western section.
After hazard evaluation and the organizational changes made by the HMPC, this Plan discusses ten (10) broad hazard types with their respective sub-categories. During a review of the 2018 hazards, the planning team decided to eliminate Agricultural Pests/Disease, Aircraft Crashes, and Natural Gas Pipeline/Storage Facility. The planning team decided to combine extreme heat, windstorm, and hailstorm into a single hazard named Extreme Weather. Additionally, the planning team combined oil spills, train accidents, and radiological accidents into a single hazard called Hazardous Materials Release. Finally, the planning team decided to combine power outage, cyber- attack, civil disturbance, and Air Quality into a single hazard called Human Caused Hazards. Below are the hazards that will be profiled in the 2025 plan.
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55 Table 4-3: Hazards Profiled in 2025 Plan
Hazard Type Sub-Categories
Dam Failure/Inundation
Drought
Earthquake/Geologic Hazards • Seismic Shaking
• Subsidence
• Liquefaction
• Fault Rupture
• Landslide
Extreme Weather • Severe Winds
• Extreme Heat
• Severe Rainstorm
Flooding
Hazardous Materials Release Profiled in Human Caused Hazards Fire • Wildland Fire
• Urban Fire
Human-Caused Hazards • Civil Disturbance
• Cyber Attack
• Hazardous Materials Release
• Power Outage
• Terrorism
• Transportation Incidents
• Natural Gas Incidents
Public Health Incidents
Climate Change Discussed in all Hazard Categories
4.4 Hazard Risk Rating
For the 2025 LHMP, the risk for each potential hazard was rated using the Calculated Priority Risk Index (CPRI). The CPRI examines four (4) criteria for each hazard (probability, magnitude/severity, warning time, and duration) (Table 4-4). For each hazard, an index value is assigned for each CPRI category from 0 to 4, with “0” being CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
56 the least hazardous and “4” being the most hazardous situation. This value is then assigned a weighting factor, and the result is a hazard ranking score (Table 4-5).
Table 4-4: Calculated Priority Risk Index Tables
CPRI Category: Probability (Assigned Weight 45%)
Level ID Description Index Value
Unlikely Extremely rare with no documented history of
occurrences or events.
Annual probability of less than 0.001.
1 Possible Rare occurrences with at least one (1) documented or anecdotal historic event. Annual probability of
between 0.01 and 0.001.
2 Likely Occasional occurrence with at least two (2) or more documented historical events. Annual probability of
between 0.1 and 0.01.
3 Highly Likely Frequent events with a well-documented history of occurrence. Annual probability of greater than 0.1.
4 CPRI Category: Magnitude-Severity (Assigned Weight 30%) Level ID Description Index Value
Negligible Negligible property damages (less than 5% of critical and non-critical facilities and infrastructure).
Injuries or illnesses are treatable with first aid, and there are no deaths.
Negligible quality of life lost.
Shut down of critical facilities for less than 24 hours. 1 CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
57 Level ID Description Index Value
Limited Slight property damages (greater than 5% and less than 25% of critical and non-critical facilities and
infrastructure).
Injuries and illnesses do not result in permanent
disability, and there are no deaths.
Moderate quality of life lost.
Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1 day
and less than 1 week.
2 Critical Moderate property damages (greater than 25% and less than 50% of critical and non-critical facilities and infrastructures).
Injuries or illnesses result in permanent disability and at least one death.
Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1 week
and less than 1 month.
3 Catastrophic Severe property damages (greater than 50% of critical and non-critical facilities and infrastructure).
Injuries or illnesses result in permanent disability and multiple deaths.
Shut down of critical facilities for more than 1 month. 4 CPRI Category: Warning Time (Assigned Weight 15%)
Level ID Description Index Value
> than 24
hours
Population receives greater than 24 hours of
warning.
1 12 to 24
hours
Population receives between 12-24 hours of warning. 2
6 to 12 hours Population receives between 6-12 hours of warning. 3 < than 6
hours
Population receives less than 6 hours of warning. 4
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
58 CPRI Category: Duration (Assigned Weight 10%)
Level ID Description Index Value
< than 6
hours
Disaster event will last less than 6 hours. 1
6 to 24 hours Disaster event will last between 6-24 hours. 2 24 hrs.
to 1
week
Disaster event will last between 24 hours and 1
week.
3 > than 1
week
Disaster event will last more than 1 week. 4
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
59 The results of the CPRI are contained in Table 4-5 below:
Table 4-5: Calculated Priority Risk Index Summary
Hazard
Probability
Weighted 45%
Magnitude
Severity
Weighted 30%
Warning Time
Weighted 15%
Duration
Weighted 10%
CPRI Ranking
Civil Disturbance 2 .90 1 .30 2 .30 2 .20 1.70
Climate Change 4 1.8 2 .60 1 .15 4 .40 2.95
Cyber Attack 3 1.35 2 .60 4 .60 3 .30 2.40
Dam Failure 1 .45 2 .60 3 .45 1 .10 1.60
Drought 3 1.35 2 .60 1 .15 4 .40 2.50
Earthquake 3 1.35 3 .90 4 .60 4 .40 3.25
Extreme Weather 3 1.35 2 1.2 1 .15 3 .30 3.00
Fire
(Windland/Urban)
4 1.8 2 .60 4 .60 3 .30 3.30
Flooding 2 .9 1 .30 1 .15 1 .10 1.45
Hazardous Material
Releases
2 .90 2 .60 2 .60 2 .20 2.30
Landslide 2 .9 2 .60 4 .60 1 .10 2.20
Natural Gas
Pipeline Failure
1 .45 1 .30 4 .60 1 .20 1.55
Oil Spills 1 .45 2 .60 2 .60 2 .20 1.85
Power Outage 3 1.35 3 .9 3 .45 2 .20 2.00
Public Health 2 .9 4 1.2 2 .30 4 .40 2.80
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60 Hazard
Probability
Weighted 45%
Magnitude
Severity
Weighted 30%
Warning Time
Weighted 15%
Duration
Weighted 10%
CPRI Ranking
Hazard
Terrorism 2 .90 2 .60 4 .60 1 .20 2.30
Transportation
Incidents
3 1.35 1 .30 4 .60 1 .20 2.45
CPRI Hazard Risk Scoring
Risk Level Severe High Moderate Low
Rank Score 3.5 – 4.0 3.0 – 3.4 2 – 2.9 1 – 1.9
Power failure has the most immediate and disruptive impacts on the city due to potential interruption of public safety systems and water service to customers.
4.5 Hazard Profiles
The hazards that exist in the City are profiled below. Each hazard profile includes a description of the type, location, extent, previous occurrences, regulatory environment, and probability of future events within the description. Maps and graphs are used in this plan to display hazard identification data.
The 2025 LHMP lists 17 hazards that affect the planning area based on historical information, the presence of the hazard, and the likelihood of future occurrences of the hazard. Hazard profiles serve as the basis for the hazard assessment.
4.5.1 Climate Change
Hazard Description
The earth’s climate is changing. The State has warmed about two degrees Fahrenheit (2°F) in the last century. Heat waves are becoming more common throughout the southwestern United States, and snow is melting earlier in spring. In the coming decades, changing climate is likely to decrease the Colorado River's water flow, CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
61 threaten livestock's health, increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires, and convert some rangelands to the desert.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes climate change as “ any significant change in the measures of climate lasting for an extended period of time. In other words, climate change includes major changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, which occur over several decades or longer.” Many people confuse climate change with global warming, the recent and ongoing rise in global average temperatures near Earth’s surface. However, global warming represents only one aspect of climate change. The Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4°F over the past century and is projected to rise another 2.0°F to 11.5°F over the next hundred years. Rising global temperatures have been accompanied by changes in weather and climate. Many places have seen changes in rainfall, resulting in more floods, droughts, or intense rain, as well as more frequent and severe heat waves.
The planet's oceans and glaciers have also experienced changes, with every glacier and permanent icefield in the State of California receding or melting entirely. Oceans are warming and becoming more acidic, ice caps are melting, and sea levels are rising.
The effects of these indicators include:
• Greenhouse Gases: Human activities have increased the emissions of greenhouse gases. As a result of the increase in emissions, average concentrations of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere are also increasing. • Weather and Climate: Average U.S. and global temperatures are increasing while weather and climate attributes, such as precipitation, drought and tropical cyclone activity, are changing.
• Oceans: Average oceanic temperatures are increasing. Sea levels are rising worldwide due to thermal expansion and increases from ice melt, and waters are becoming more acidic.
• Snow and Ice: Glaciers in the U.S. and worldwide are generally shrinking, while snowfall and snow cover in the U.S. have decreased overall. The extent of the Arctic Sea ice is declining.
• Health and Society: Warmer temperatures and later fall frosts allow ragweed plants to produce pollen later into the year, potentially prolonging allergy season.
The length of ragweed pollen season has increased at 10 out of 11 locations studied in the central U.S. and Canada since 1995. The change becomes more pronounced from south to north.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
62 • Ecosystems: Many areas are experiencing earlier spring events, such as peak stream runoff and flower blooms. Bird migration patterns are changing, and wildfire zone size has increased.
History
Climate change has occurred throughout the planet's history due to variations in the earth’s inclination to the sun, volcanic activity, and other factors such as asteroid impacts and the amount of solar radiation reaching the earth’s surface rises and falls.
The planet's temperature correlates to the amount of solar radiation arriving at the surface and the climate with it.
In relatively recent history, the last glacial period, popularly known as the Ice Age, occurred from c. 110,000 to 12,000 years ago. This most recent glacial period is part of a larger pattern of glacial and interglacial periods known as the Quaternary glaciation (c. 2,588,000 years ago to present). From this point of view, scientists consider this "ice age" to be merely the latest glaciation event in a much larger ice age that dates back over two (2) million years and is still ongoing.
During this last glacial period, there were several changes between glacier advance and retreat. The Last Glacial Maximum, the maximum extent of glaciation within the last glacial period, was approximately 22,000 years ago. While the general pattern of global cooling and glacier advance was similar, local differences in the development of glacier advance and retreat make it difficult to compare the details from continent to continent.
Generally, temperature variation and glaciation patterns have lagged in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) content. Figure 4.1 depicts global variations during the past 400,000 years as a correlation between temperature and atmospheric CO2 content in part per million.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
63 Figure 4.1: Temperature and Atmospheric CO2 Variation Past 400,000 Years
For 22,000 years ago, the planet has slowly warmed, and the glaciers retreated to high northern latitudes and mountains. In the last several decades of this period, human activity has likely led to a rapid increase in atmospheric CO2 and a matching rise in global temperature. The result has been that climate change may be accelerating.
Figure 4.2 provides a graphical depiction of the recent history of temperature rise.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
64 Figure 4.2: Temperature Rise Since 1880
Location
Warming and climate change are occurring globally with wide variations based on location and latitude. The polar regions have experienced particularly rapid changes in climate with increased ice melt and more sea-ice-free days. Climate change by its very definition is a global phenomenon, and so it is expected to affect the entire County.
Extent
Climate change is likely to affect the entire earth’s population. More widespread drought and associated crop failure, movement of invasive species, more frequent wildfires, increased energy emergencies, and more intense climate events such as storms and extreme heat will occur throughout Southern California. The entire planning area is subject to climate change.
Specific likely impacts on California
Increasing droughts and higher temperatures will likely affect California’s top agricultural products, including cattle, dairy, and vegetables. Hot temperatures threaten the health of cows and cause them to eat less, grow more slowly, and produce less milk. Livestock operations could also be impaired by fire, the lack of water, and changes in the landscape from grassland to woody shrubs, more typical of a desert. Reduced water availability would also create challenges for irrigated farms, which account for two-thirds of the water used in the state.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
65 Wildfires, changing landscapes, higher temperatures, and drought are likely to increase the severity, frequency, and extent of wildfires which could harm property, livelihoods, and human health. On average, more than two percent (2%) of the land in California has burned per decade since 1984. Wildfire smoke can reduce air quality and increase medical visits for chest pains, respiratory problems, and heart problems. The combination of more fires and drier conditions may expand deserts and otherwise change parts of California’s landscape. Many plants and animals living in arid lands are already near the limits of what they can tolerate. A warmer and drier climate would generally extend deserts to higher elevations and expand their geographic ranges.
In some cases, native vegetation may persist and delay or prevent the expansion of the desert. In other cases, fires or livestock grazing may accelerate the conversion of grassland to desert in response to a changing climate. For similar reasons, some forests may change to deserts or grassland.
Warmer and drier conditions make forests more susceptible to pests. Drought reduces the ability of trees to defend against attacks from pests such as bark beetles which have infested 100,000s of acres in California. Temperature controls the life cycle and winter mortality rates of many pests. With higher winter temperatures, some pests can persist year-round, and new pests and diseases may become established.
Hot days can be unhealthy, even dangerous. Certain people are especially vulnerable, including children, the elderly, the sick, and the poor. High air temperatures can cause heat stroke and dehydration and affect people’s cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems. Higher temperatures are amplified in urban settings where paved and other surfaces tend to store heat. Construction crews may have to increasingly operate on altered time schedules to avoid the heat of the day.
Rising temperatures can increase the formation of ground-level ozone, a key component of smog. Ozone has various health effects, aggravates lung diseases such as asthma, and increases the risk of premature death from heart or lung disease. The U.S. EPA and the California Air Resources Board have been working to reduce ozone concentrations. As the climate changes, continued progress toward clean air will be more difficult.
Probability of Future Events:
Climate change is an ongoing, long-term hazard. The effects of increased CO2 in the atmosphere will likely increase and persist for hundreds or thousands of years. There is a 100% chance that climate change will continue affecting the City.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
66 Regulatory Context:
The State of California has stepped into a leadership role in planning for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the potential impacts of climate change. Key laws, regulations, and policies helping to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions include:
The California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill [AB] 32 and Senate Bill [SB] 32): AB 32 is the primary legislation that has driven GHG regulation and analysis in California between 2006 and 2016 by instructing the California Air Resource Board (CARB) to develop and enforce regulations for reporting and verifying statewide GHG emissions. The heart of the bill is the requirement that statewide GHG emissions be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. Based on CARB’s calculations of emissions levels, California must reduce GHG emissions by approximately fifteen percent (15%) below 2005 levels to achieve this goal. In September 2016, the Governor signed SB 32, which builds upon the statewide targets for 2020 by establishing a longer-term target so that “statewide greenhouse gas emissions are reduced to forty percent (40%) below the 1990 levels by 2030.” The bill further authorized CARB to adopt regulations to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
California Executive Orders S-3-05 (2005) and B-30-15 (2015): These two (2) executive orders highlight longer-term GHG emissions reduction targets for the state, though such targets have not yet been adopted by the legislature and signed into law. Specifically, Executive Order (EO) S-3-05 seeks to achieve a reduction of GHG emissions of eighty percent (80%) below 1990 levels by 2050, consistent with the scientific consensus that developed regions will need to reduce emissions at least eighty percent (80%) below 1990 levels to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius (2.0°C). Executive Order B- 30-15 seeks to establish an interim target between the 2020 target established through AB 32 and the long-term targets in EO S-3-05, to achieve a reduction of GHG emissions of forty percent (40%) below 1990 levels by 2030.
CEQA and Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Senate Bill 97): In 2007, the Natural Resources Agency was directed by the legislature to prepare amendments to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines, providing direction to lead agencies on how to analyze and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
Senate Bill 379 (2015) Planning and Zoning Law: This legislation requires that the next revision of a jurisdiction’s local hazard mitigation plan on or after January 1, 2017, or, if the local jurisdiction has not adopted a local hazard mitigation plan, beginning on or before January 1, 2022, include a review and update of the safety element to address CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
67 climate adaptation and resiliency strategies applicable to that city or county. The bill would require the update to include a set of goals, policies, and objectives based on a vulnerability assessment, identifying the risks that climate change poses to the local jurisdiction and the geographic areas at risk from climate change impacts.
California has also prepared programs and guidance for local governments to consider in identifying hazards and adapting to a changing climate.
California Climate Adaptation Strategy: Executive Order S-13-08: In 2008, the Governor signed EO S-13-08, which directed the California Natural Resources Agency to lead a statewide effort to develop a climate adaptation strategy. Published in 2009, the statewide plan describes climate trends and the potential impacts of climate change on key sectors, and it outlines short- and long-term actions that state and local governments can take to address future climate impacts.
California Adaptation Planning Guide (APG): Published in 2012, this statewide resource serves as a guide to local governments to identify, evaluate, and plan for the range of unavoidable consequences their community may face in the future due to climate change. The APG includes a step-by-step process for conducting a vulnerability assessment and identifying potential adaptation strategies.
4.4.1.1 City Response to Climate Change
General Approaches—Mitigation and Adaptation
Communities and governments worldwide are working to address, evaluate and prepare for climate changes that are likely to impact communities in coming decades. Generally,
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
68 climate change discussions encompass two (2) separate but inter-related considerations: mitigation and adaptation. The term “mitigation” can be confusing because its meaning changes across disciplines:
• Mitigation in emergency management—as generally addressed in this hazard mitigation plan— is typically defined as the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.
• Mitigation in climate change discussions is defined as a human intervention to reduce impacts on the climate system. It includes strategies to reduce greenhouse gas sources and emissions and enhance greenhouse gas sinks.
In this chapter, mitigation is used as defined by the climate change community. In the other chapters of this plan, mitigation is primarily used in an emergency management context.
Adaptation refers to adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or anticipated effects of climate change. These adjustments may moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities. Mitigation and adaptation are related, as the world’s ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will affect the degree of adaptation that will be necessary. Some initiatives and actions can both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support adaptation to likely future conditions.
Societies across the world need to adapt to climate change. Farmers are altering crops and agricultural methods to deal with changing rainfall and rising temperature; architects and engineers are redesigning buildings; planners are looking at managing water supplies to deal with droughts or flooding.
Adaptive capacity goes beyond human systems. Some ecosystems can adapt to change and buffer surrounding areas from the impacts of change. Forests can bind soils and hold large volumes of water, releasing it through the year; floodplains can absorb water during peak flows; coastal ecosystems can attenuate waves and reduce erosion.
Other ecosystem services—such as food provision, timber, materials, medicines, and recreation—can provide buffers in the face of changing conditions.
Ecosystem-based adaptation is the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy to help people adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. This includes sustainable management, conservation and restoration of specific ecosystems that provide key services.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
69 City Climate Action Plan
The City has released its first proposed Climate Action Plan (CAP). The CAP will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make the City more sustainable and resilient to climate change impacts. The Pasadena CAP is the latest initiative in the City’s ongoing commitment to confronting the issue of climate change. The purpose of the CAP is to analyze GHG emissions at a programmatic-level, outline a strategy to reduce and mitigate municipal and community-wide GHG emissions, demonstrate Pasadena’s commitment to achieving the state-wide emissions reduction targets, and serve as a qualified GHG reduction plan consistent with Purpose of the Pasadena Climate Action Plan the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15183.5. The timeframe for the CAP extends from the date of adoption through the year 2035, consistent with the horizon year of Pasadena’s 2015 General Plan Land Use Element.
The 27 listed adaptation actions in the CAP are organized into five (5) strategies:
1. Sustainable Mobility and Land Use
2. Energy Efficiency and Conservation
3. Water Conservation
4. Solid Waste Reduction
5. Urban Greening
These actions establish an initial roadmap to withstand the impacts. Over time, as understanding of climate change science evolves and local impacts are observed, the City will evaluate the need for adjusting existing actions and adding new ones. This will take place through regular CAP monitoring and reporting and future CAP updates.
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70 4.5.2 Dam Failure
Hazard Description
Dams and reservoirs of jurisdictional size are defined in the California Water Code Sections 6000 through 6008. There are currently more than 1,400 dams of jurisdictional size in California. Approximately 1,250 of these dams are under the jurisdiction of California’s Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams. Dams and reservoirs owned by the federal government are not subject to state jurisdiction except as otherwise provided by federal law. In California, there are currently 149 dams owned by federal government agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, Army Corps of Engineers, and the U.S. Military.
Los Angeles County leads the state as being the county with the most jurisdictional-size dams, with 100 dams. The term “dam failure” encompasses a wide variety of circumstances. Situations that would constitute a dam failure vary widely, from developing problems to a partial or catastrophic collapse of the entire dam. Potential causes of dam failure are numerous and can be attributed to deficiencies in the original design of the dam, the quality of construction, the maintenance of the dam and operation of the appurtenances while the dam is in operation, and acts of nature, including precipitation in excess of the design, flood, and damage from earthquakes.
Water overtopping the dam crest is a common cause of failure in earth dams.
Overtopping will cause erosion of the dam crest and an eventual dam breach. Piping of each dam is another common form of failure. Piping is a form of erosion that occurs underground caused by rodent burrowing and extensive root systems from vegetation growing on and around the dam.
This type of disaster is especially dangerous because it can occur suddenly, providing little warning or evacuation time for the downstream communities. The flows resulting from dam failure generally are much larger than the capacity of the downstream channels and therefore lead to extensive flooding. Flood damage occurs due to the momentum of the flood caused by the sediment-laden water flooding over the channel banks and impact debris carried by the flow.
History
Pasadena has not been included in any federal disaster declarations or state emergency proclamations related to dam failure. Dams within Los Angeles County have failed or had the potential to fail within the past 100 years. Major incidents include:
• March 12, 1928 – The St. Francis Dam catastrophically failed, and the resulting flood caused as many as 400 fatalities. The collapse is considered one of the CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
71 worst American civil engineering disasters of the 20th century and remains the second-greatest loss of life due to a disaster in California’s history. • December 14, 1963 – The Baldwin Hills Dam inundated the neighborhood of South Los Angeles when the dam suffered a catastrophic failure and flooded the residential neighborhoods surrounding it. It began with signs of lining failure, followed by increasingly serious leakage through the dam at its east abutment.
After three (3) hours, the dam breached, with a total release of 250 million U.S. gallons resulting in five (5) deaths and the destruction of 277 homes. Vigorous rescue efforts averted a greater loss of life.
• February 9, 1971 – The San Fernando region was struck by one of the most devastating earthquakes in California history. With a Richter magnitude of 6.6, it claimed 65 lives and caused damage estimated at half a billion dollars. It was California’s third-worst earthquake in terms of lives lost, only exceeded by San Francisco, 1906, and Long Beach, 1933. The San Fernando quake could have been a catastrophe instead of just a costly disaster. That conclusion arises from its most striking episode: the near collapse of the lower dam at the Van Norman reservoir. The 1,100-foot dam held 3.6 billion gallons of water, but it was only half full; the water level was 36 feet below the lip. The top thirty feet of the structure crumbled, leaving the water only six feet (6 ft.) from the top and fresh chunks of earth falling off with each aftershock. A University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) study estimated that the collapse of the dam could have killed between 71,600 and 123,400 people.
Location
There are two (2) major flood infrastructure structures located in or upstream from the Pasadena area to manage the Riverine Flooding potential: Devil’s Gate Dam and Reservoir and the Eaton Wash (Creek) Dam and Reservoir. These structures are owned by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and are located along the Arroyo Seco and Eaton Wash (Creek) tributary stream systems, respectively. • The Devil’s Gate Dam flood inundation path shows that the floodway of the Arroyo Seco would contain most of the water. Since this area is largely undeveloped and used primarily for recreation purposes, the risk posed by this hazard could be considered low.
• The Eaton Wash Dam inundation path shows that, on its southern reaches, some developed areas would be impacted. The risk posed by this hazard could be considered low.
CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
72 Devils Gate Dam
Devils Gate Dam was built in 1920, the oldest dam constructed by the Los Angeles County Flood Control City, to provide flood protection to the cities of Pasadena, South Pasadena, and Los Angeles. Parts of North and South Arroyo are in the inundation zone of the Devils Gate Dam. Figure 4-3 provides an overview of the dam. Figure 4-4 provides the location of the Devils Gate Dam.
Figure 4-3: Devils Gate Dam
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73 Figure 4-4: Location of Devils Gate Dam
Eaton Wash Dam
Eaton Wash Reservoir and the Eaton Wash Dam were built in 1937 (87 years ago) and are controlled by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works. The dam is a rock fill, 63 feet (19 m) in height, and is 1,545 ft (471 m) in length. Normal storage for the reservoir is 721 acre-feet (889,000 m3). It has a surface area of 54 acres (22 ha) and drains an area of 9.47 square miles (24.5 km2). Its primary usage is for flood control and debris storage. A photograph of the dam is shown in Figure 4-5. Its location is shown in Figure 4-6.
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74 Figure 4.5: Eaton Wash Dam
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75 Figure 4-6: Location of Eaton Wash Dam
City Owned Reservoirs
Pasadena Water and Power has 12 active wells that feed natural groundwater into 18 reservoirs throughout the community that also receive some purchased water from the Metropolitan Water District. Jones Reservoir holds about 50 million gallons -- the largest capacity of all Pasadena's reservoirs (Lida Reservoir is the smallest). The blended water (natural groundwater and MWD water) is disinfected and then distributed to customers through a pipeline network of 478 miles of mains throughout the City.
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76 Figure 4-7: Dam Inundation Areas
Extent
DSOD uses a scale for defining the intensity or potential severity of dam failure solely based on potential downstream impacts to life and property. Additionally, the hazard is not related to the condition of the dam or its pertinent structures. This scale has four (4) categories which include the Federal categories and adds a fourth category of “extremely high”. Devils Gate Dam is listed as “High” and Eaton Wash is listed as “Extremely High”. Table 4-6 outlines the downstream hazard potential classifications used by DSOD.
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77 Table 4-6: California Department of Water Resources Division of Safety of Dams – Downstream Hazard Classifications
Downstream Hazard
Potential Classifications Potential Downstream Impacts on Life and Property Low No probable loss of human life and low economic and environmental losses. Losses are expected to be
principally limited to the owner’s property.
Significant No probable loss of human life, but it can cause economic loss, environmental damage, impacts to critical facilities, or other significant impacts.
High Expected to cause the loss of at least one human life.
Extremely High Expected to cause considerable loss of human life or would result in an inundation area with a population of 1,000 or more.
Probability of Future Event
Dam failure can result from numerous natural or human activities. Earthquakes, internal erosion, improper siting, structural and design flaws, or rising floodwaters can all result in the collapse or failure of a dam. A dam failure may also be a result of the age of the structure or inadequate spillway capacity. The probability of a future dam failure affecting the City is unknown. While possible, it is unlikely that a dam failure event will occur within the next 10 years. There is less than or equal to 10% likelihood of a dam incident occurring each year.
Regulatory Context
In California, the regulation of dams is primarily overseen by the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) under the Department of Water Resources. This division is responsible for the review, approval, and supervision of dam construction, maintenance, and safety protocols to prevent failure and mitigate risks associated with dam operations.
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78 Impact of Climate Change
Severe weather such as more powerful rainstorms are likely to occur as a result of climate change. Atmospheric rivers which can create flooding throughout California may occur more frequently due to warmer weather and more moisture in storm systems.
Climate change has the potential to cause more frequent and more heavy precipitation incidents. The results could be additional flows into with the potential for overtopping or other dam failure mechanisms for Devil’s Gate Dam and Reservoir and the Eaton Wash (Creek) Dam and Reservoir.
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79 4.5.3 Drought
Hazard Description
Drought is a normal part of virtually every climate on the planet, including areas of high and low rainfall. It is different from normal aridity, which is a permanent characteristic of the climate in areas of low rainfall. Drought is the result of a natural decline in the expected precipitation over an extended period, typically one or more seasons in length.
The severity of drought can be aggravated by other climatic factors, such as prolonged high winds and low relative humidity.
Drought is a complex natural hazard which is reflected in the following four (4) definitions commonly used to describe it:
• Meteorological drought is defined solely on the degree of dryness, expressed as a departure of actual precipitation from an expected average or normal amount based on monthly, seasonal, or annual time scales
• Hydrological drought is related to the effects of precipitation shortfalls on stream- flows and reservoir, lake, and groundwater levels
• Agricultural drought is defined principally in terms of naturally occurring soil moisture deficiencies relative to water demands of plant life, usually arid crops • Socioeconomic drought associates the supply and demand of economic goods or services with elements of meteorological, hydrologic, and agricultural drought.
Socioeconomic drought occurs when the demand for water exceeds the supply as a result of a weather- related supply shortfall. It may also be called a water management drought.
A drought’s severity depends on numerous factors, including duration, intensity, geographic extent, and regional water supply demands by humans and vegetation. Due to its multi- dimensional nature, drought is difficult to define in exact terms and also poses challenges in terms of comprehensive risk assessments.
Drought differs from other natural hazards in three (3) ways. First, the onset and end of a drought are difficult to determine due to the slow accumulation and lingering effects of an event after its apparent end. Second, the lack of an exact and universally accepted definition adds to the confusion of its existence and severity. Third, in contrast with other natural hazards, the impact of drought is less obvious and may be spread over a larger geographic area. These characteristics have hindered the preparation of drought contingency or mitigation plans by many governments.
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80 Droughts may cause a shortage of water for human and industrial consumption, hydroelectric power, recreation, and navigation. Water quality may also decline, and the number and severity of wildfires may increase. Severe droughts may result in the loss of agricultural crops and forest products, undernourished wildlife and livestock, lower land values, and higher unemployment.
History
Since record-keeping began, California and the western region of the U.S. have experienced several multi-year drought conditions. The City experienced severe drought from April 2007 through December 2009 and severe to exceptional drought from February 2013 through January 2017. A severe to exceptional drought began in 2020 and ended during the winter of 2022-2023. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor.
The following maps show the extent of drought conditions in California from February 2025, 2020 and 2015. They also include a chart showing the history of drought conditions in California from 2001 through early 2025.
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81 Figure 4.8: California Drought Monitor February 2025
City of Pasadena
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82 Figure 4.9: California Drought Monitor February 2020
City of Pasadena
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83 Figure 4.10: California Drought Monitor February 2015
Location
The entirety of the City is affected by all drought conditions affecting Southern California.
Extent
The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-430) prescribes an interagency approach for drought monitoring, forecasting, and City of Pasadena
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84 early warning.5 The NIDIS maintains the U.S. Drought Portal,6 a centralized, web-based access point to several drought-related resources, including the U.S. Drought Monitor (USDM) and the U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook (USSDO).
The primary indicators for these maps for the Western U.S. are the Palmer Hydrologic Drought Index and the 60-month Palmer Z-index. The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PSDI) is a commonly used index that measures the severity of drought for agriculture and water resource management. It is calculated from observed temperature and precipitation values and estimates soil moisture. However, the Palmer Index is not considered consistent enough to characterize the risk of drought on a nationwide basis.
Commonly used drought severity classifications are depicted in Figure 4-11.
Figure 4-11: Commonly Used Drought Severity Classifications
Probability of Future Events
As this HMP is being developed, California is not experiencing severe drought. Extreme drought persisted from 2012 to 2016. After an extremely wet winter during 2017 – 2018, drought conditions returned in 2021 and lasted to 2024.
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85 Drought in California is a common occurrence that can last for multiple years. It is often associated with the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), when La Nina conditions result in decrease winter precipitation. The regional climate is characterized by a distinct dry season (approximately May to September) and wet season (approximately October to April) defined by a few large precipitation events, though additional peaks in precipitation can occur. There is a high probability that multi-year drought will occur during any 25-year period.
Impact of Climate Change
Climate change is already profoundly impacting California's water resources, as evidenced by changes in snowpack, sea level, and river flows. These changes are expected to continue, and more precipitation will likely fall as rain instead of snow. This potential change in weather patterns will add additional challenges to water supply reliability.
The mountain snowpack provides as much as a third of California's water supply by accumulating snow during wet winters and releasing it slowly during the spring and summer when the need is the greatest. Warmer temperatures will cause snow to melt faster and earlier, making it more difficult to store and use.
By the end of this century, the Sierra snowpack is projected to experience a forty-eight percent (48%) to sixty-five percent (65%) loss from the historical April 1st average. This loss of snowpack means less water will be available for Californians.
Climate change is also expected to result in more variable weather patterns throughout California. More variability can lead to longer and more severe droughts. In addition, rising sea levels will continue to threaten the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the heart of the California water supply system and the source of water for twenty-five (25) million Californians and millions of acres of prime farmland.
Regulatory Context
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (Regional Boards) protect water quality and allocate surface water rights. The Legislature created the State Water Board in 1967.
The mission of the Water Board is to ensure the highest reasonable quality for waters of the State while allocating those waters to achieve the optimum balance of beneficial uses. The joint authority of water allocation and water quality protection enables the Water Board to provide comprehensive protection for California's waters. Regional Boards are semi-autonomous and have broad responsibilities within the framework of State regulatory guidance. The Department of Water Resources manages water usage, CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
86 including water delivery to two-thirds of California’s population through the State Water Project.
Impacts and Vulnerabilities
Within the City, severe drought may result in water rationing and loss of public and private landscaping. Region-wide, drought results in large-scale tree die-off, increasing the likelihood and severity of wildland fires.
Surrounding communities, also in drought conditions, could increase their demand for water supplies relied upon by the planning partnership, causing social and political conflicts. If such conditions persist for several years, mandatory water rationing could impact residents and City businesses.
Low-income communities are most vulnerable to drought due to potential increases in the cost of water.
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87 4.5.4 Earthquake/Geological Hazards
Hazard Description
An earthquake is the vibration of the earth’s surface following a release of energy in the earth’s crust. This energy can be generated by a sudden dislocation of the crust or by a volcanic eruption. Most destructive quakes are caused by dislocations of the crust. The crust may first bend and then, when the stress exceeds the strength of the rocks, break and snap to a new position. In the process of breaking, vibrations called “seismic waves” are generated. These waves travel outward from the source of the earthquake at varying speeds.
The City is located in a high seismic risk zone. This region is one of the most seismically active in the world, marked by the number of large, damaging earthquakes that have occurred in the past. The following geologic hazards are associated with earthquakes and may be caused by seismic activity, increasing the resulting damage:
Ground Shaking
Ground shaking caused by a strong earthquake is probably the most important seismic hazard that can be expected anywhere in the City and larger Southern California area.
The amount of earthquake shaking at a site is associated with the earthquake magnitude; the type of earthquake fault; the distance between the site and the earthquake source; the geology of the site; and how the earthquake waves decrease or increase as they travel from their source to the site in question. Shaking from the earthquake intensifies with a greater magnitude and closer distance to the epicenter.
Softer soils and topographic ridges can also amplify seismic ground motions.
Liquefaction
Soil liquefaction is a phenomenon in which soil's strength and stiffness are reduced by earthquake shaking or other rapid loadings. Liquefaction and related phenomena have been responsible for tremendous amounts of damage in historical earthquakes around the world. Liquefaction can result in the settling and compacting of unconsolidated sediment in the event of a major earthquake. Liquefaction may increase as the ground acceleration and duration of shaking increase.
Areas subject to liquefaction in the City are shown in Figure 4-12.
Surface Fault Rupture
Surface rupture is an offset of the ground surface when fault rupture extends to the Earth's surface. Fault rupture almost always follows preexisting faults, which are zones of weakness. Any structure built across the fault is at risk of being torn apart as the two (2) CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
88 sides of the fault slip past each other. Normal and reverse surface fault ruptures have vertical motion while strike-slip surface fault ruptures produce lateral offsets.
Subsidence
Land subsidence is defined as the lowering of the land surface. Many different factors can cause the land surface to subside, such as a sinkhole or underground mine collapse, or during a major earthquake. Land subsidence can also occur when large amounts of groundwater have been excessively withdrawn from an aquifer. The clay layers within the aquifer compact and settle, resulting in lowering the ground surface in the area from which the groundwater is being pumped. Over time, as more water is removed from the area, the ground drops and creates a cone. Once the water has been removed from the sediment, it cannot be replaced.
Land subsidence can occur in various ways during an earthquake. Movement that occurs along faults can be horizontal or vertical or have a component of both. As a result, a large area of land can subside drastically during an earthquake. Land subsidence can also be caused during liquefaction. Liquefaction can result in the settling and compacting of unconsolidated sediment in the event of a major earthquake. This can result in the lowering of the land surface.
Expansive Soils
Expansive soils contain mixed-layer clay minerals that increase and decrease in volume upon wetting and drying, respectively. Expansive soils are common throughout California and can damage foundations and slabs unless properly treated during construction.
Landslides
Some soil materials, such as clay minerals, can absorb water, resulting in a reduction of shear strength. The force of gravity can cause landslides when the shear strength of saturated clay is reduced below its minimum stability threshold. Earthquake-induced landslides of steep slopes can occur in either bedrock or soils. Areas at risk from landslides typically have steep slopes (15% or greater), unstable rock or soil characteristics, or other geologic evidence of instability. The City does not have slopes of this steepness.
While ground shaking, liquefaction, surface fault rupture, subsidence, expansive soils, and landslides may all result from an earthquake, the City has taken the approach of developing mitigation activities that address earthquakes as a single hazard. This is based upon the fact that the sub-hazards of landslide and surface fault rupture are unlikely in the City, and that ground shaking, liquefaction, subsidence, and expansive CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
89 soils result in damage to structures and facilities. Mitigation actions will be designed to address the sub-hazards as a single hazard.
For this planning cycle, the City has chosen not to develop any mitigation actions specific to these sub-hazards.
Figure 4-12: Areas Subject to Liquefaction
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90 History
Southern California is one of the most seismically active areas in the U.S. The region has experienced at least 9 earthquakes of Magnitude 6.5 or higher since 1812.
Pasadena has not been included in any federal disaster declarations or state emergency proclamations related to earthquake/geological hazards. Table 4-7 includes historical earthquakes recorded in Southern California greater than magnitude 6.5.
Table 4-7: Historical Earthquakes Recorded in Southern California Date Magnitude Fault Name (Incident Name)
7/5/2019 7.1 Garlock (Ridgecrest)
1/17/1994 6.7 Northridge Thrust (Northridge Earthquake) 2/9/1971 6.5 San Fernando (San Fernando Earthquake)
7/21/1954 7.5 White Wolf
5/18/1949 6.9 Imperial (Imperial Valley Earthquake)
11/4/1927 7.1 Unknown (Lompoc Earthquake)
4/21/1918 6.8 San Jacinto
1/9/1857 7.9 San Andreas (Fort Tejon Earthquake)
12/8/1812 7.5 San Andreas (Wrightwood Earthquake)
Location
The two (2) largest faults in the Pasadena area are the Sierra Madre Fault, a reverse fault on the north boundary of the City, and the Raymond Fault, a left lateral strike-slip fault that extends into the southern and eastern areas of the City. A rupture of either fault would result in major damage to the entire City. Other nearby faults include the Verdugo, Hollywood, Whittier, and Elysian Park fault zones. Any of these faults have the potential to cause serious damage to Pasadena. Fault locations in the City are shown in Figure 4-14.
Landslides are not common and affect a small portion of the West and North of the City.
Areas subject to landslides in the City are shown in Figure 4-13.
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91 Figure 4-13: Areas Subject to Landslides
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92 Figure 4-14: Major Faults near the City
Extent
Earthquake
Two (2) scales are used to measure the severity and intensity of an earthquake. The Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale measures the ground shaking intensity in terms of acceleration, velocity, and displacement. The Moment Magnitude (Mw) Scale measures the severity of the earthquake by the amount of energy released at the source of the earthquake. The Mw scale, based on the concept of seismic moment, is uniformly applicable to all sizes of earthquakes. The extent of damage from an earthquake is determined by the magnitude of the earthquake, distance from the epicenter, and characteristics of surface geology. Table 4-8 shows an approximate correlation between the Moment Magnitude (Mw) and the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale and its effects.
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93 Table 4-8: Severity (Mw) and Intensity (MMI) Comparison Magnitude
(Mw)
MMI
Scale:
Intensity
Abbreviated MMI Scale:
Effects
Abbreviated MMI Scale:
Effects
1.0 - 3.0 I I. Not felt except by a very
few under especially
favorable conditions.
3.0 - 3.9 II – III II. Felt only by a few
persons at rest, especially
on upper floors of buildings.
III. Felt quite noticeably by
persons indoors, especially
on upper floors of buildings.
Many people do not
recognize it as an
earthquake. Standing motor
cars may rock slightly.
Vibrations similar to the
passing of a truck. Duration
estimated.
4.0 - 4.9 IV – V IV. Felt indoors by many,
outdoors by few during the
day. At night, some
awakened. Dishes,
windows, doors disturbed;
walls make cracking
sound—a sensation like
heavy truck striking
building. Standing motor
cars rocked noticeably.
V. Felt by nearly everyone;
many awakened. Some
dishes, windows broken.
Unstable objects overturned.
Pendulum clocks may stop.
5.0 - 5.9 VI – VII VI. Felt by all, many
frightened. Some heavy
furniture moved; a few
instances of fallen plaster—
damage slight.
VII. 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.
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94 Magnitude
(Mw)
MMI
Scale:
Intensity
Abbreviated MMI Scale:
Effects
Abbreviated MMI Scale:
Effects
6.0 - 6.9 VIII – IX VIII. 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. Damage considerable in
specially designed structures;
well-designed frame
structures thrown out of
plumb. Damage great in
substantial buildings, with
partial collapse. Buildings
shifted off foundations.
7.0 and
higher
X - XI X. Some well-built wooden
structures destroyed; most
masonry and frame
structures destroyed with
foundations. Rails bent.
XI. Few, if any (masonry)
structures remain standing.
Bridges destroyed. Rails bent
greatly.
7.0 and
higher
XII XII. Damage total. Lines of
sight and level are
distorted. Objects thrown
into the air.
Source: US Geological Survey (USGS):
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/topics/mag_vs_int.php
Landslide
Landslides are not common in Pasadena but can occur. They are most likely to occur during and immediately after storms when water saturation of the soil is at highest levels or during a significant earthquake.
There is no standardized classification for size or damage of landslides. The National Atmospheric and Space Administration (NASA) uses these definitions based on the exponential increase in mass of the landslide:
• Small: Less than 10 cubic meters of debris. These minimally impact infrastructure and roads though may still hold enough mass to kill a human.
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95 • Medium: Between 10 and 1,000 cubic meters of debris. These can block roads for days, damage houses and facilities, and easily kill humans. • Large: Between 1,000 and 100,000 cubic meters of debris. Often cover wide areas with substantial impact to roads and infrastructure, likely displacing people and causing tens to hundreds of casualties.
• Very Large: Between 100,000 and 1,000,000 cubic meters of debris. These landslides cover extremely large areas that can cover entire towns and neighborhoods.
• Catastrophic: Over 1,000,000 cubic meters of debris. Multiple towns, neighborhoods, and boroughs may be impacted or completely covered. Fatalities might be over 1,000.
Probability of Future Events
Pasadena is in a seismically active area with many faults in the surrounding area and region-at-large. There will be an ever-present danger, of course, posed by any seismic shaking, which could potentially cause damage to buildings and/or infrastructure. It is almost inevitable that an earthquake will occur along one of the adjacent or regional fault lines and cause a major seismic event.
There is 75% likelihood that the City will experience a significant earthquake from one of the known major faults in the next 30 years. In 2015, the Working Group on California Earthquake Probabilities (WGCEP) issued its third Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF3) , which determined the likelihood for magnitude 6.7 and larger earthquakes within the next 30 year, somewhere in the region remains near certainty (greater than 99 percent). Within the next 30 years, the probabilities of earthquakes in Southern California are:
• 60% that an earthquake measuring magnitude 6.7
• 46% that an earthquake measuring magnitude 7
• 31% that an earthquake measuring magnitude 7.5
In addition to UCERF3 forecasts, which project the odds of a major earthquake on local and regional faults, the U.S. Geological Survey forecasts the severity of seismic shaking in different locations for various plausible earthquake scenarios.
Although not a significant risk to the city, landslides can occur during periods of extreme weather of after a large earthquake. FEMA’s risk index currently lists Los Angeles County as Relatively High.
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96 Impact of Climate Change
Climate change is not expected to have any direct influence on the likelihood, size, and/or severity of any future seismic-related event. landslides and other geological hazards can be more common with the impacts of climate change due to more extreme weather events causing greater water saturation of soils, such as during the 2023 atmospheric river events. More extreme El Niño weather events could also increase the amount of water dumped during each event despite the area becoming dryer on average.
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97 4.5.5 Extreme Weather (Sever Wind, Extreme Heat, Winter Storm) Severe Wind (Hazard Description)
Windstorms are generally short-duration events involving straight-line winds or gusts of over 50–60 mph, strong enough to cause property damage. Damage from such winds accounts for half of all severe weather reports in the lower 48 states. Wind speeds can reach up to 100 mph and can produce a damage path extending for hundreds of miles.
The Beaufort Wind Chart (Table 4-9) provides terminology and a description of potential wind impacts at different levels.
The following types of damaging winds represent a hazard within the planning area:
• Santa Ana Winds—In Southern California, strong, dry, gusty winds known as Santa Ana winds form when air from a region of high pressure over the desert region of the southwestern U.S. flows westward toward low pressure areas off the California coast. As the wind flows over the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana mountains, dropping from high elevation to sea level, it becomes compressed and heats up, and its relative humidity drops. Gaps in mountains form wind tunnels that strengthen these winds as they pour warm air east to west through the canyons. Santa Ana winds may occur year-round but are most common from September through March. A Santa Ana wind event can yield sustained winds of 40 miles per hours; isolated wind gusts of over 80 miles per hour have been recorded.
• Downdrafts—A downdraft is a small-scale column of air that rapidly sinks toward the ground.
• Downbursts—A downburst is a strong downdraft with horizontal dimensions larger than 2.5 miles, resulting in an outward burst or damaging winds on or near the ground. Downburst winds may sometimes produce damage similar to a strong tornado. Although usually associated with thunderstorms, downbursts can occur with showers too weak to produce thunder.
• Microbursts—Microbursts are small, concentrated downbursts that produce an outward burst of damaging winds at the surface. Microbursts are generally less than 2.5 miles across and short-lived, lasting only 5 to 10 minutes, with maximum wind speeds up to 168 mph.
• Tornados—Tornados are formed by the turbulent mixing of layers of air with contrasting temperature, moisture, density, and wind flow. Tornados have occurred in the planning area but are not common.
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98 Windstorms can result in collapsed or damaged buildings, damaged or blocked roads and bridges, damaged traffic signals, streetlights, and parks, and other damage. Wind speeds as low as 32 mph can cause structural damage, and winds of 100 mph can destroy wood-frame structures. They can also cause direct losses to buildings, people, and vital equipment. There are direct consequences to the local economy resulting from windstorms and the associated physical damage and interrupted services.
Extreme Heat (Hazard Description)
In most of the United States, extreme heat is defined as a period (two [2] to three [3] days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 ºF. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed, and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death by overworking the human body. Extreme heat can cause heat exhaustion, in which the body becomes dehydrated, resulting in an imbalance of electrolytes. Without intervention, heat exhaustion can lead to collapse and heatstroke. Heatstroke occurs when perspiration cannot occur, and the body overheats. Without intervention, heatstroke can lead to confusion, coma, and death.
Extreme heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather- related hazards. Older adults, children, and sick or overweight individuals are at greater risk from extreme heat. According to the California Climate Adaptation Strategy, heat waves have claimed more lives in California than all other declared disaster events combined. It can take several days of oppressive heat for a heat wave to have a significant or quantifiable impact. Heat waves do not strike victims immediately, but their cumulative effects slowly cause harm to vulnerable populations.
Excessive heat is the primary weather-related cause of death in the United States, claiming over 100 lives each year. In a 30-year record of weather fatalities across the nation (1990-2019), excessive heat claimed more lives each year than floods, lightning, tornados, and hurricanes (Erdman 2021). Extreme heat events do not typically impact buildings; however, losses may be associated with the urban heat island effect and overheating of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. These extreme heat events can lead to drought, impact water supplies, and lead to an increase in heat- related illnesses and deaths.
Legislation has been introduced in California to rate and name heat waves. The categorization would help communities take measures to reduce the number of heat- related fatalities (Washington Post 2021).
Winter Storm (Hazard Description)
During severe weather events such as strong storms, rain can fall at such a high rate that it cannot drain away fast enough. The resulting heavy rain can cause flooding, CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
99 leading to inundation and potential damage to buildings, road networks, public areas, utilities, and other critical pieces of infrastructure. In California, heavy rainfall events are often short, intense bursts of rain, but in some cases, heavy rain can persist for multiple days.
History
Table 4-10 summarizes search results from the National Center for Environmental Information Storm Events Database for Los Angeles County storm events over the 20- year period from 2002 through 2025. Based on these results, wind events are likely to happen every year, significant heat events occur multiple times a year. Pasadena has not been included in any federal disaster declarations or state emergency proclamations related to Extreme Weather.
Table 4-10: Los Angeles County Severe Weather Events, January 2002 – August 2025
Event Types Include Total Number of Events
High Wind, Thunderstorm Wind, Strong Wind,
Tornado
423
Excessive Heat 10
Heavy Rain, Lightning, Winter storm 15
Location
Extreme weather events have the potential to happen anywhere in the planning area.
Wind events are most damaging to areas where trees and power lines can be knocked down. Extreme heat events may be exacerbated in the City where reduced air flow, reduced vegetation, and temperatures that are several degrees higher than in surrounding less urbanized areas. Additionally, Extreme Heat can lead to loss of power in the planning area. Winter storms can impact the entire planning area, bringing heavy rain which can cause localized flooding.
Extent
Windstorms
Generally, winds are measured using the Beaufort scale, developed in 1805, which categorizes wind events on a force scale from 0 to 12 using their speed and impacts.
Any wind classified as force nine (9) or above is generally considered a severe wind event. Table 4-11 identifies the Beaufort scale, which classifies wind events in detail.
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100
Table 4-11: Beaufort Scale
Force Speed (mph) Description
0 0 to 1 Calm: Smoke rises vertically
1 1 to 3 Light air: The direction of the wind is shown by smoke drift but not wind vanes.
2 4 to 7 Light breeze: Wind is felt on the face, leaves rustle, and wind vanes are moved.
3 8 to 12 Gentle breeze: Leaves and small twigs are in motion, and light flags are extended.
4 13 to 18 Moderate breeze: Dust and loose paper become airborne, and small branches are moved.
5 19 to 24 Fresh breeze: Small trees begin to sway
6 25 to 31 Strong breeze: Large branches are in motion, and using an umbrella becomes difficult.
7 32 to 38 High wind: Whole trees are in motion and walking against the wind can be hard.
8 39 to 46 Strong wind: Walking is difficult, and twigs break off trees. 9 47 to 54 Severe wind: Slight structural damage.
10 55 to 63 Storm: Trees are uprooted and considerable damage to structures.
11 63 to 72 Violent storm: Widespread damage.
12 73 and above Hurricane: Devastating damage.
Source: https://www.weather.gov/mfl/beaufort
Extreme Heat
Extreme heat events will feel different from region to region since different areas have different historic high temperatures. For example, an extreme heat day on the coast will CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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feel different than an extreme heat day in the High Desert. The reason for this is how humidity affects the perceived heat that people feel. Humid conditions will make a day feel hotter than non-humid conditions, even though the temperature may be the same.
The difference between the perceived and actual temperatures is known as the “heat index.” To illustrate the effect of the heat index, a 90-degree day with 50 percent humidity feels like 95°F, whereas a 90°F Day with 90 percent humidity feels like 122°F.
Figure 4-15 illustrates the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Weather Service Heat Index.
Extreme heat events are not limited to any part of the City. They occur with the same intensity and duration at the same time across all locations in Pasadena. For Pasadena, an extreme heat day involves a temperature that exceeds 103.2°F. These thresholds are based on a 2% probability event.
Figure 4-15: NOAA’s National Weather Service Heat Index Winter Storm
California’s precipitation varies from year to year, depending on how much moisture the state receives from atmospheric rivers. Atmospheric rivers are corridors along which wet air travels from the tropics to continents. When the moisture arrives in California, it may precipitate as rain or snow. One of California's most known atmospheric rivers is the “Pineapple Express,” which brings moist air from the ocean surrounding Hawaii to
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California. An immense amount of moisture may be transported along the atmospheric rivers that cross over California during certain years, leading to severe rains.
Another weather phenomenon influencing rainfall in southern California is “El Niño,” officially referred to as the “Southern Oscillation” or “El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).” ENSO can cause increased rainfall, particularly during the winter months, caused by warming of the surface of the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, leading to the evaporation of warm, moist air into the atmosphere. Winds bring this moisture to the eastern Pacific and the American continents, where it falls as rain. ENSO does not always lead to increased rainfall by default, but in general, it can increase the chances of winter with higher-than-usual precipitation.
Rain events are usually measured by the amount of precipitation that falls. Table 4-12 categorizes rain events by the amount of precipitation per hour.
Table 4-12: Measuring Heavy Rain Events
Rain Type Description
Heavy Rain More than 4 mm per hour but less than 8 mm per hour Very Heavy Rain Greater than 8 mm per hour
Moderate Shower Greater than 2 mm, but less than 10 mm per hour Heavy Shower Greater than 10 mm per hour, but less than 50 mm per hour
Violent Shower Greater than 50 mm per hour
Source: https://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-howmuchrain-metric.html
Probability of Future Events
Based on history, extreme weather events, including Santa Ana winds or microburst tornadic activity can be expected, perhaps annually, across widespread areas of Los Angeles County. In the U.S., average surface temperatures have risen more quickly since the late 1970s (0.36 to 0.55 degrees F per decade), with seven (7) of the top 10 warmest years on record since 1998. This will lead to more days of extreme heat every year.
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There is no indication that rainfall or severe rain hazards will abate either in Pasadena or the greater region of Southern California in the future. There is a 70% chance that Pasadena will experience a severe weather event in the next year.
Impact of Climate Change
Climate change is a key driver of severe weather events, including extreme heat and winter storms. Climate change has led to an increase in the earth’s surface temperature which has caused hotter days and warmer nights. Winter storms have the possibility of becoming more frequent with the climate temperatures increasing, and the atmosphere becoming more convective.
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4.5.6 Flooding
Hazard Description
Floods are a common hazard in many parts of California, including Pasadena.
Ultimately, a flood occurs when there is too much water on the ground to be held within local water bodies, causing water to accumulate in naturally dry areas. They are often caused by heavy rainfall, though floods can also occur after a long period of moderate rainfall or if unusually warm weather causes mountain snow to melt faster than expected. Floods that develop quickly, known as flash floods, are especially dangerous because there may be little warning that one is occurring, but floods can also build over a more extended period.
A flood, as defined by FEMA’s NFIP, is: "A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two (2) or more acres of normally dry land area or of two (2) or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder’s property) from:
• Overflow of inland or tidal waters, or
• Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source, or • Mudflow, or
• Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels."
Floods can be slow or fast rising but generally develop over a period of hours or days.
Mitigation includes any activities that prevent an emergency, reduce the chance of an emergency happening, or lessen the damaging effects of unavoidable emergencies.
Investing in mitigation measures now, such as: engaging in floodplain management activities, constructing barriers such as levees, and purchasing flood insurance will help reduce the amount of structural damage and financial loss from other types of property damage should a flood or flash flood occur.
Floods are dangerous for several reasons. The floodwater can be deep enough for people to drown and move fast enough to sweep people away. The moving water can damage buildings with its force (in extreme cases, it may move entire structures) or carry large debris that damages objects with which it collides. When water gets into buildings, it can cause extensive damage to personal property, ruining building materials, furniture, electronics, and numerous other items. Both standing and moving water can be barriers to movement, isolating people and hindering evacuation, rescue, or relief efforts.
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History
Pasadena has had serious floods throughout its history. Several canyons near the Pasadena area, including Eaton, Zachau, Rubio, and Shields canyons, have flooded in recent recorded history. The continued threat for flooding led the County of Los Angeles and the City to develop a flood management strategy for the Arroyo Seco wash area.
The first step was building the Devil’s Gate Dam, completed in 1920. While the dam and other flood infrastructure has helped address flooding, it has not eliminated flooding.
Table 4-13 lists these notable floods, detailing the dates, names, affected acres, and the number of deaths or lost structures associated with each event. This historical record underscores the persistent threat of flooding in the region and the importance of ongoing flood management and preparedness measures.
Table 4-13: Historical Records of Large Floods in Pasadena Date Description
February 2023 The February 2023 flood was one of the most significant in recent years. Persistent heavy rainfall over a week led to widespread flooding across Pasadena. The total rainfall exceeded 10 inches, making it one of the wettest periods in the City's history. Many residents reported basement flooding and water damage to their properties. The City had to deploy additional resources to manage the situation and provide relief to the affected areas.
November 2023 A less severe but still notable flooding event occurred in November 2023. The region experienced a sudden storm that brought about 4 inches of rain in a single day. While not as devastating as the previous floods, this event caused significant inconvenience, particularly in traffic and public transportation.
March 2020 Intense rainfall in March resulted in temporary road closures and minor property damage.
2017 A series of winter storms caused minor flooding, with Arroyo Seco once again posing a risk to nearby properties.
December 2010 Heavy rains in December led to localized flooding, impacting several neighborhoods.
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Date Description
1997-1998 The El Niño weather phenomenon of 1997-1998 brought unprecedented amounts of rainfall to Pasadena. The heavy rains caused significant flooding, particularly affecting the low-lying areas and homes along riverbanks. Impacts included
displacement of hundreds of residents., severe property damage, particularly in flood-prone zones, and Infrastructure strain due to sustained heavy rainfall.
February 1969 In January and February of 1969, Pasadena and surrounding areas were hit by a series of powerful storms that brought heavy rains, leading to significant flooding. The storms caused rivers and streams to swell, inundating neighborhoods and leading to evacuations.
Location
The geographical location, climate, and topography of Pasadena make the City prone to flooding. In Pasadena, floods usually occur during the winter “wet” season, the time of year with the highest precipitation totals or heavy rainfalls. During significant rainfall years, the season is characterized by high intensity rainfalls and rapid runoffs or discharge. These storm events have inundated streams, flooded areas, created debris flows (i.e., sediment, rock, dead trees) that have plugged culverts and damaged bridges/overpasses, and/or eroded or scared the landscape. Two (2) types of flooding primarily affect the City: Riverine Flooding and Urban Flooding. While the entire City is subjective to Urban Flooding, the northern and western parts of the City are the most prone to riverine flooding due to its proximity to the San Gabriel Mountains. Two (2) main north-to-south flowing stream systems drain in the Pasadena area: Arroyo Seco and Eaton Wash. The Arroyo Seco runs along the western edge of the City, while Eaton Wash drains the eastern side of the City. A dam and reservoir system protect both of these streams, but they are still prone to flooding during significant events. Discussion of the dams (and reservoirs) are presented under the Dam Failure hazard. Figure 4-16 depicts areas in Pasadena prone to flooding.
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Figure 4-16: City Flood Zones
Below are the FEMA 100/500 Year Flood Maps produced by the FEMA Maps Service Center (MSC) in support of the NFIP.
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Figure 4-17: FEMA Flood Map1
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Figure 4-18: FEMA Flood Map 2
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Extent
Flood events are measured by their likelihood of occurrence. For instance, a 100-year flood is a flood that has a 1 in 100 (1.0 percent) chance of occurring in any given year. A 500-year flood is a flood that has a 1 in 500 (0.2 percent) chance of occurring in any given year. The 100-year flood has been designated as the benchmark for major flood events. Thus 100-year floods are referred to as “base floods.” Floodplains are areas that are prone to flooding and often experience frequent flooding.
While it is possible for areas outside of these designated floodplains to experience flooding, the most likely locations to experience future flooding are low-lying areas near bodies of water. FEMA is the governmental body responsible for designating which areas of the United States can be classified as floodplains.
The three (3) most common designations are:
• Special Flood Hazard Area: The area within a 100-year floodplain. • Moderate Flood Hazard Area: The area outside the 100-year floodplain but within the 500-year floodplain.
• Minimum Flood Hazard Area: The area outside of the 500-year floodplain.
Pasadena, California, like many cities, has areas that are subject to flooding. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides detailed maps and categories to help communities understand and manage their flood risk. These floodplain designations are crucial for City planning, construction, insurance, and emergency preparedness. Table 4-14 shows these detailed floodplain categories.
FEMA classifies Pasadena under five (5) floodplain categories: A, AE, AH, AO, and X; the location of these floodplains can be seen on the FEMA Flood Hazard Zone Maps.
Table 4-14: FEMA Floodplain Categories
Category Description
A Within a 100-year floodplain, but the water height of the 100-year flood is not known.
A1-30 or
AE
Within a 100-year floodplain and the water height of the 100-year flood is known.
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Category Description
is between one and three feet (3 ft.) but not specifically known.
A99 Within a 100-year floodplain, it is protected by flood protection infrastructures such as dams or levees.
AH Within a 100-year floodplain, and the water height of the 100-year flood is between one and three feet (3 ft.) and is specifically known.
AR Within a 100-year floodplain, it is protected by flood protection infrastructure that is not currently effective but is being rebuilt to provide protection.
V Within a 100-year floodplain for coastal floods, but the height of the flood is not known.
V1-30 or
VE
Within a 100-year floodplain for coastal floods and the water height of the flood is known.
VO Within a 100-year floodplain for shallow coastal floods with a height between one and three feet (3 ft.).
B Within a 500-year floodplain, or within a 100-year floodplain with a water height less than one foot (found on older maps).
C Outside of the 500-year floodplain (found on older maps).
X Outside of the 500-year floodplain (found on newer maps).
X500 Within a 500-year floodplain or within a 100-year floodplain with a water height less than one foot (found on newer maps).
D Within an area with a potential and undetermined flood hazard.
M Within an area at risk of mudslides from a 100-year flood event.
N Within an area at risk of mudslides from a 500-year flood event.
P Within an area at risk of mudslides from a potential and undetermined flood event.
E Within an area at risk of erosion from a 100-year flood event.
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Probability of Future Events:
The major causes of flooding in the City are short-duration, high-intensity storms. Water courses in the City can flood in response to a succession of intense winter rainstorms, usually between early November and late March. A series of such weather events can cause severe flooding in the City due to the large percentage of impervious area and the age and capacity of the drainage system.
A worst-case scenario is a series of storms that flood numerous drainage basins in a short time, such as those projected by USGS in the CA ARkStorm Scenario (USGS 2018). This could overwhelm response and floodplain management capabilities within the City. Major roads could be blocked, preventing critical access for many residents and critical functions. Additionally, as the grounds become saturated, groundwater flooding issues typical for the City would be significantly enhanced. Due to its low impacts that flooding has in the City, there is a 25% chance that flooding will impact the City within the next year.
Impact of Climate Change
Climate change acts as an amplifier of existing flood hazards. Extreme weather events have become more frequent over the past 40 to 50 years and this trend is projected to continue. Rising sea levels and shifting weather patterns (temperature, winds) are expected to have a significant impact on rainfall frequency, intensity and distribution, which in turn will have a significant impact on the frequency of flood occurrences.
Climate Change can also increase the frequency and/or intensity of mudflows. Changes in precipitation, specifically the increased frequency of intense precipitation, can result in a water content the ground cannot tolerate, and may cause mudflows. These mudflows may happen more frequently due to the increased number of heavy rainfall events.
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4.5.7 Public Health Incidents: Pandemics, Epidemics/Infectious Diseases Hazard Description
Widespread public health emergencies, i.e. pandemics, occur when a disease emerges to which the population has little immunity. Public health experts worry about a pandemic potential of diseases that spill over to humans from other species and are capable of spreading human-to-human. Depending on the nature of such a disease, depending on the nature of the disease a large proportion of the population can become ill. This level of disease activity would disrupt all aspects of society and severely affect the economy.
Vaccines, antibiotics, and improved living conditions resulted in dramatic declines in communicable diseases in the latter part of the 20th Century. However, infectious diseases have become an increasing threat to all persons in Los Angeles County due to a variety of factors such as:
• Population growth—Overcrowding, aging, migration
• Methods of food production—Large scale, wide distribution, importation • Environmental changes—Drought, encroachment of humans on wild areas, global warming
• Microbial adaptation—Resistance to antibiotics, re-assortment of genetic material • Changes in health care—Drugs causing immunosuppression, widespread use of antibiotics
• Human behavior—Travel, diet, sexual behavior, compromised immune systems
The Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) is responsible for public health in the City. PPHD will coordinate with Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LAC DPH) during a public health emergency, whether in the City or throughout the county or state. Pasadena Public Health will serve as the lead agency for a pandemic response in Pasadena and would work closely with the County to ensure that:
• Planning efforts are consistent throughout the county • Official information is provided to cities in a timely manner • Pharmaceutical distribution is conducted across the county
Outbreaks of infectious diseases following floods, tornados, earthquakes, and other disasters are common in the developing world but are rare in developed countries. Most CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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post-disaster disease is produced by poor sanitation, a lack of safe drinking water and contaminated food.
Below are the known risks to the City:
Coronaviruses - The current (2020) COVID-19 pandemic is spread by a coronavirus.
Coronaviruses cause a large percentage of colds and upper respiratory infections.
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that usually cause mild upper respiratory infections, including some cases of the common cold. However, three coronaviruses have caused more serious disease in people: SARS coronavirus, MERS coronavirus, and COVID-19. (NIH) Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory disease caused by a SARS-associated coronavirus. It was first identified at the end of February 2003 during an outbreak that emerged in China and spread to four (4) other countries.
Influenza - Flu epidemics occur routinely, typically in the fall and winter. Because flu seasons fluctuate in length and severity, a single estimate cannot be used to summarize influenza-associated deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that from the 1976-1977 flu season to the 2006-2007 season, flu- associated deaths ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000.
There have been four flu pandemics in the last 100 years (1918, 1957, 1968, and 2009). (CDC) A flu pandemic is a global outbreak of a new flu A virus in people that is very different from current and recently circulating seasonal flu A viruses.
Insect/Tick-Borne Disease - Insects such as mosquitos and ticks can transmit a variety of diseases. Diseases that can be contracted through an insect bite include:
• Lyme disease
• Malaria
• West Nile virus
• Zika virus
• Typhus Fever
• Dengue Fever
Plague - Plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis, a zoonotic bacterium usually found in small mammals and their fleas. Plague is transmitted between animals and humans by the bite of infected fleas, direct contact with infected tissues, and inhalation of infected respiratory droplets. There are two (2) primary clinical forms of plague CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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infection: bubonic and pneumonic. Bubonic plague is the most common form and is characterized by painful swollen lymph nodes or 'buboes.' Plague can be a very severe disease in people, with a case-fatality ratio of 30% to 60% for the bubonic type and is always fatal for the pneumonic kind when left untreated.
Anthrax - Anthrax is a serious infectious disease caused by gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. Although it is rare, people can get sick with anthrax if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products.
Anthrax has the potential for and has been used as a biological weapon.
Hemorrhagic Fevers - Viral hemorrhagic fevers are a group of illnesses caused by several distinct families of viruses. In general, the term “viral hemorrhagic fever” is used to describe a severe multisystem syndrome. Characteristically, the overall vascular system is damaged, and the body’s ability to regulate itself is impaired. These symptoms are often accompanied by hemorrhage (bleeding); however, the bleeding is itself rarely life-threatening. While some types of hemorrhagic fever viruses can cause relatively mild illnesses, many of these viruses cause severe, life- threatening disease. Hemorrhagic fevers include Ebola and Yellow Fever.
History
Pasadena has been included in any federal disaster declarations or state emergency proclamations related to Public Health Incidents. The most recent was the COVID-19 pandemic. The Los Angeles County Health Alert Network issued the following recent public health alerts:
• September 17, 2024 - LAC DPH Health Alert: Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm)
• September 9, 2024 – LAC DPH Health Alert: Locally Acquired Case of Dengue • May 10, 2024 – Local Outbreak of Hepatitis A among Persons Experiencing Homelessness
• February 1, 2024 – First LA County Measles Case
• October 3, 2023 – First Locally Acquired Case of Dengue in California Detected in Pasadena
• November 29, 2022 – Reminder to Prescribe COVID-19 Therapeutics • May 27, 2022 – Contaminated Ecstasy and Accidental Drug Overdoses • December 2, 2021 – Outbreaks of Flea-Borne Typhus
• November 30, 2021 – SARS-CoV-2 Virus Variant of Concern B.1.1.529 (Omicron)
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• March 5, 2021 – Ebola Virus Disease Outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Guinea
• March 3, 2021 – Wound Botulism Cases Associated with Heroin Injection • February 26, 2021 – SARS-CoV-2 virus variants of concern identified in CA • February 7, 2021 – Measles Outbreak in LA County
• July 23, 2020 – Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
• April 22, 2020 – Measles Outbreak in LA County
• February 19, 2020 – Increase in Clusters of Pertussis in 11 to 18-Year-Olds in LA County
Location
Pandemics occur worldwide. Smaller-scale public health incidents or epidemics may be localized, such as the Ebola outbreak in a region of Africa. All locations are susceptible to pandemics and local public health hazard incidents.
Extent
The World Health Organization pandemic phases were developed in 1999 and revised in 2005. The phases are applicable to the entire world and provide a global framework to aid countries in pandemic preparedness and response planning. Phases 1-3 correlate with preparedness, including capacity development and response planning activities, while Phases 4-6 clearly signal the need for response and mitigation efforts.
Below is a description of each phase.
• Phase 1: no viruses circulating among animals have been reported to cause infections in humans.
• Phase 2: an animal influenza virus circulating among domesticated or wild animals is known to have caused infection in humans and is therefore considered a potential pandemic threat.
• Phase 3: an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus has caused sporadic cases or small clusters of disease in people but has not resulted in human-to-human transmission sufficient to sustain community-level outbreaks.
Limited human-to-human transmission may occur under some circumstances, for example, when there is close contact between an infected person and an unprotected caregiver. However, limited transmission under such restricted circumstances does not indicate that the virus has gained the level of transmissibility among humans necessary to cause a pandemic.
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• Phase 4: is characterized by verified human-to-human transmission of an animal or human-animal influenza reassortant virus able to cause “community-level outbreaks”. The ability to cause sustained disease outbreaks in a community marks a significant upwards shift in the risk of a pandemic. Any country that suspects or has verified such an event should urgently consult with WHO so that the situation can be jointly assessed and a decision made by the affected country if implementation of a rapid pandemic containment operation is warranted. Phase 4 indicates a significant increase in risk of a pandemic but does not necessarily mean that a pandemic is a forgone conclusion.
• Phase 5: is characterized by human-to-human spread of the virus into at least two (2) countries in one (1) WHO region. While most countries will not be affected at this stage, the declaration of Phase 5 is a strong signal that a pandemic is imminent and that the time to finalize the organization, communication, and implementation of the planned mitigation measures is short.
Probability of Future Events
Although the timing of the outbreak of a pandemic or other public health emergency is difficult to predict, they will continue to occur continually and have a greater than one percent chance of occurring in any year. There is a 15% chance of a significant public health hazard impacting the City.
Impacts of Climate Change
There are several ways that climate hazards aggravate infectious diseases, both directly and indirectly. These include the slow rise in temperature; changes in environmental conditions that increase the dispersal of disease vectors such as mosquitoes, rodents, and ticks; and the sudden appearance of extreme events such as floods, which contaminate drinking-water sources and trigger the displacement of humans and animals, which can carry and transmit pathogens. According to the CDC, climate change, together with other natural and human-made health stressors, influences human health and disease in numerous ways. Some existing health threats will intensify and new health threats
will emerge.
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4.5.8 Fire
Hazard Description
Wildfire
As defined in the California Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) 2010 Strategic Fire Plan, a wildfire event is an unwanted wildland fire including unauthorized human-caused fires, escaped wildfire use events, escaped prescribed wildfire projects, and all other wildfires.
Wildfire hazard is a significant and recurrent threat in the Valley District service area and has the potential to destroy buildings, cause damage to vital infrastructure, injure people, and can result in loss of life, agricultural land, and animals. Wildfire season commences in early spring through late fall every year during the hotter, dryer months.
Highly flammable vegetation and warm, dry summers create the potential for wildland fires in Vacaville. The risk of wildland fires is related to a combination of factors, including winds, temperatures, humidity levels, and fuel moisture content. Of these four (4) factors, wind is the most crucial. Steep slopes also contribute to fire hazards by intensifying the effects of wind and making fire suppression difficult. Where there is easy public access to dry vegetation, fire hazards increase due to greater chance of human carelessness. High hazard areas include outlying residential parcels and open lands adjacent to residential areas. Such development has also moved the urban wildland interface (the area where human development meets undeveloped wildland) closer to higher-risk, wildfire hazard areas, increasing the number of people and buildings at risk as illustrated in Figure 4-19 Pasadena Fire Hazard Severity Zones.
Wildland Urban Interface Fire (WUI)
A WUI fire includes situations in which a wildland fire enters an area that is developed with structures and other human developments. In WUI fires, the fire is fueled by both naturally occurring vegetation and the urban structural elements themselves. According to the National Fire Plan issued by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture and Interior, the wildland-urban interface is defined as “…the line, area, or zone where structures and other human development meet or intermingle with undeveloped wildland or vegetative fuels.”
The WUI fire can be subdivided into three (3) categories (NWUIFPP, 1998): 1) classic wildland-urban interface; 2) the mixed wildland-urban interface; and 3) the occluded wildland-urban interface. The classic wildland-urban interface exists where well-defined urban and suburban development presses up against open expanses of wildland areas.
The mixed wildland-urban interface is characterized by isolated homes, subdivisions, and small communities situated predominantly in wildland settings. The occluded wildland- urban interface exists where islands of wildland vegetation occur inside a CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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largely urbanized area. Generally, many of the areas at risk within the City fall into the classic wildland-urban interface category.
Certain conditions must be present for a wildfire hazard to occur; a large source of fuel must be present, the weather must be conducive (generally hot, dry, and windy), and fire suppression sources must not be able to easily suppress and control the fire. The cause of a majority of wildfires is human-induced or lightning; however, once burning, wildfire behavior is based on three (3) primary factors: 1) fuel; 2) topography; and weather. Fuel will affect the potential size and behavior of a wildfire depending on the amount present, its burning qualities (e.g. level of moisture), and its horizontal and vertical continuity. Topography affects the movement of air, and thus the fire, over the ground surface. The terrain can also change the speed at which the fire travels, and the ability of firefighters to reach and extinguish the fire. Weather as manifested in temperature, humidity and wind (both short and long term) affect the probability, severity, and duration of wildfires. Other factors that create concern are drought conditions and development (the build environment). Drought conditions bring on contributing concerns in that it can lead to relatively drier conditions and leave reservoirs and water tables lower; thus, creating hotter fires and less water to fight the fires. The expansion of the built environment into previously unoccupied areas introduces more people to the hazard and in some cases make response actions more challenging.
History
Pasadena has not been included in any federal disaster declarations related to fire but has been included in a state emergency proclamation, as recently as 2025. Below is a list of the most notable fires that have impacted Pasadena and Southern California. • January 7, 2025 – The Eaton Fire began on the evening of January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains. It burned over 14,100 acres and destroyed 9,414 structures and resulted in 17 civilian fatalities. • January 2025 – The Palisades Fire started in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County in Southern California which burned over 23,448 acres, destroying large areas of Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. The fire destroyed 6,837 structures and caused 12 fatalities.
• September 6, 2020 – The Bobcat Fire started in the Los Angeles National Forest and burned almost 116,000 acres.
• September 5, 2020 – The El Dorado Fire wildfire in Southern California ignited by a gender reveal party. It burned 22,744 acres, destroyed 20 structures, and killed one firefighter.
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• November 8, 2018 – The Woolsey Fire started in Los Angeles County and spread north to neighboring Ventura County. The fire burned 96,949 acres of land, destroyed 1,643 structures, and killed three (3) people,
Location
The City is located along the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. These mountains are known for steep topography and extensive vegetation. The area is also intermittently impacted by Santa Ana winds, the hot, dry winds that blow across southern California in the spring and late fall. Because of these characteristics, wildfire is a significant threat to the City. Figure 4-17 below depicts the mapping within the City limits susceptible to wildfires.
Figure 4-19: City Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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The climate, topography, and vegetation in Pasadena are conducive to annual wildfire events. Wildland fires may spread to urban areas resulting in urban fires. Structures within the City are primarily single-family dwellings away from the wildland/urban interface. The areas with the highest risk of wildfire are the Western and northern portions of the City. The remainder of the City is urban/unzoned.
Extent
The State Fire Marshal classifies wildfire hazard lands within state responsibility areas into fire hazard severity zones. Each zone shall embrace relatively homogeneous lands and shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors present, including areas where winds have been identified by the department as a major cause of wildfire spread. The State Fire Marshal shall identify areas in the state as moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones based on consistent statewide criteria and based on the severity of fire hazard that is expected to prevail in those areas. Moderate, high, and very high fire hazard severity zones shall be based on fuel loading, slope, fire weather, and other relevant factors including areas where winds have been identified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as a major cause of wildfire spread.
Urban fires are classified by the number of alarms. The Pasadena Fire Department uses the alarm system below to describe the type and number of resources committed to the incident.
Units
Assigned
1st Alarm
fire / Box
Alarm
1st Alarm
fire/ "All
Hands"
Box Alarm
2nd Alarm
fire
3rd Alarm
fire
4th Alarm
fire
5th Alarm
fire
Engine
Companies
1 Engine
or
1 Truck
4 Engines
2 Trucks
1 ALS
2 BCs
7 Engines
3 Trucks
1 ALS
1 Air Utility
3 BCs
10 Engines
4 Trucks
1 ALS
1 Air Utility
4 BCs
13 Engines
5 Trucks
1 ALS
1 Air Utility
5 BCs
16 Engines
6 Trucks
1 ALS
1 Air Utility
6 BCs
Probability of Future Events
Fires will continue to occur on an annual basis in the City. The size and intensity of future fires and the impacts on City operations are difficult to predict. There is a 85% chance that wildfires will impact the City within the next year.
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Impact of Climate Change
Climate change and the associated warmer weather, reduced snowpack, and earlier snowmelt can be expected to increase wildfire risk through fuel hazards and ignition risks. These changes can also increase plant moisture stress and insect populations, both of which affect forest health and reduce forest resilience to wildfires. An increase in wildfire intensity and extent will increase public safety risks, property damage, fire suppression and emergency response costs to government, watershed and water quality impacts, vegetation conversions and habitat fragmentation.
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4.5.9 Human-Caused Hazards
Cyber Security Threats
Cyber Security Threats (Hazard Description)
Cyberterrorism and cyberattacks are terms for cybersecurity threats that are often used interchangeably, though they are not the same. All cyberterrorism is a form of cyberattack, but not all cyberattacks are cyberterrorism.
Public and private computer systems can experience a variety of cyberattacks, from blanket malware infection to targeted attacks on system capabilities. Cyberattacks specifically seek to breach information technology security measures designed to protect an individual or organization. The initial attack is followed by more severe attacks to cause harm, steal data or for financial gain. Organizations are prone to different types of attacks that can be automated or targeted.
Any facility that relies on computers, computer systems and programs for their operations could be a target. Generally, attacks last minutes to days, but large-scale events and their impacts can last much longer. As information technology continues to grow in capability and interconnectivity, cyber threats become increasingly frequent and destructive. Cyber threats differ by motive, attack type and perpetrator profile. Motives range from the pursuit of financial gain to political or social aims. Cyber threats are difficult to identify and comprehend. Types of threats include using viruses to erase entire systems, breaking into systems and altering files, using someone’s personal computer to attack others, or stealing confidential information. The spectrum of cyber risks is limitless, with threats having a wide range of effects on the individual, community, organizational, and national threat.
Ransomware
The FBI defines ransomware as a type of malicious software, or malware, which prevents you from accessing your computer files, systems, or networks and demands you pay a ransom for their return. Businesses should have a business continuity plan in case of a ransomware attack.
Cyberterrorism
The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating cyberterrorism. In order for a cyberattack to be considered terrorism, the attack must be premeditated and politically motivated against information, computer systems, computer programs, or data. “Cyberterrorism may be carried out by state and non- state actors which have the capability to steal, alter, or destroy the nations sensitive data and, in the worst of cases, to manipulate from afar the process control systems that are meant to ensure the proper CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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functioning of portions of the nations’ critical infrastructure” (FBI, The Cyber Threat and the FBI’s Cyber Program). Critical infrastructure and the nation are becoming more vulnerable to cyberattacks as their dependency on computer networks and systems grows.
Cyber Security Threats (History)
Cyberattacks on U.S. companies occur daily, and the quantity and quality of information being hacked, stolen, destroyed, or leaked is becoming an increasing problem for consumers, government entities, and businesses.
The following list is of recent cyber-attacks that affected government agencies:
• April 2023 – The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office reported a security breach that encrypted its systems and reduced operations for over two (2) weeks. A member of the Sheriff’s Office clicked on a phished link and downloaded ransomware, disrupting emails and dispatch computers.
The ransom cost $1.1 million in cryptocurrency.
• February 8, 2021 – A hacker exploited a vulnerability in a desktop sharing platform to access a water utility’s treatment plant industrial control system.
The hacker increased the quantity of a chemical used in the water treatment process to a dangerous level. An employee of the utility noticed inconsistencies and immediately reduced the chemical levels to normal and notified the IT department.
• December 11, 2021—UKG Kronos was a victim of a ransomware attack that incapacitated Long Beach Fire Department Staffing Program, Telestaff, for approximately 2 months.
• April 30, 2018—In Pasadena, City employee email accounts were compromised through a phishing scheme. Hackers used access to accounts to send out fraudulent emails to City contacts. The City immediately disabled accounts and changed passwords of all City employees and advised residents and associates to take caution when opening emails from City.
• November 22, 2017— 500 Los Angeles Superior Court employees received fraudulent emails leading to fake websites asking for account credentials. Less than a dozen employees fell for the phishing scam. A 31-year-old Texas resident was found to be responsible for the hacking.
• June 27th, 2017—The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors website homepage displayed pro-ISIS propaganda. The website was one of four (4) U.S. websites hacked the same way.
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• December 2016—A virus locked the Los Angeles Community College District’s computer network as well as its email and voicemail systems. After consulting with cyber-security experts and law enforcement, the District paid a $28,000 cyber-ransom in bitcoin. The district had a cyber-security insurance policy to cover such attacks.
Cyber Security Threat (Location)
Since computers are so ubiquitous, a cyber threat could appear in virtually any part of the City. In extreme circumstances, a threat could impact the entire City. Cyber threats vary in their length and severity of impact. A minor threat could cause computer systems to slow down for a few minutes and not behave as responsively. On the other hand, a major cyber threat could cause a complete shutdown of critical systems, including those used by banks, healthcare institutions, universities, major businesses, and City governments.
Globally, cyber threats are increasing and becoming more sophisticated. The most common types of threats include:
• Phishing
• Ransomware
• Intellectual Property Theft
• Spyware/Malware
• Unpatched Software
Common types of cyber-attacks include:
• Exploitation of vulnerable software
• Distributed Denial of Service
• MFA fatigue/push notification spamming
Cyber Security Threat (Extent)
The Index of Cyber Security (Figure 4-20) can be referenced to understand the status of cyber threats, which identifies the measure of perceived risk. Since 2015, this index has trended upward and appears to have doubled in this timeframe.
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Figure 4-20: Index of Cyber Security
Cyber threats are not measured on any scale, but they can be assessed by determining the following:
• The type of incident (website defacement, denial of service, unauthorized surveillance)
• The use of malicious software
• The level of security countermeasures that failed to prevent the cyber threat • The duration of the cyber threat (a few hours, a few days, several weeks, etc.) • The number of identified ransomware gangs
• The rapid rise of Ransomware as a Service (Raas) and other "as a service" cybercriminal ventures
• The growing technical sophistication of cyber criminals
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Cyber Security Threat (Possibility of Future Occurrence) Due to the integrated nature of technology into the everyday lives of Pasadena’s residents, businesses, and government operations, it is possible that a cyber threat could emerge in the future. While no cyber threats are publicly known to have disrupted the City’s normal operations in the past, the likelihood of a cyber threat affecting the residents, businesses, and/or governmental operations in the future is increasing.
Civil Disturbance
Civil Disturbance (Hazard Description)
Civil Disturbance is defined as civil disorder, a broad term that is typically used by law enforcement to describe disruption of typical social order; it may involve a strike or protest, and it can be peaceful or involve violence. Both riots and rebellions are forms of civil unrest. Incidents of civil unrest often occur after national or local events incite anger in the populace and may be triggered by various causes such as political protests, racial strife, or sporting events. Civil disorders and disturbances are human-caused events with the potential for endangering life and damaging property.
The Bay Area experienced past episodes of civil unrest. Civil disturbances may be mitigated through planning; mitigation activities for civil disturbance are not solely a police function but are a shared responsibility of elected officials, community leaders, business leaders, service organizations, and community residents.
While basic constitutional rights guarantee free assembly, civil unrest associated with such events can result in injuries, loss of life, and destruction of property. Heightened vigilance, strategic organization, and training on the part of law enforcement can mitigate damage and casualties from civil disturbances.
Civil Disturbance (History)
City police departments in Los Angeles region have often dealt with civil unrest. Recent examples include the October 2014 Major League Baseball San Francisco Giants World Series victory riots, the November 2014 unrest in Oakland following the Ferguson verdict, and Black Lives Matter protestors blocking traffic on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2016. Today the combination of professional protestors, anarchists, demonstrations, and counterdemonstrations at many public gatherings has created the potential for civil unrest. Often events deemed to be celebrations can cause civil disturbances and create loss. When dealing with events that have the potential to become incidents of civil unrest, the police departments’ most CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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important goal is safeguarding citizens and property. The following are recent incidents of civil unrest in the Bay Area region:
• George Floyd Killing Protests: At 6:30 p.m. on May 30, protesters gathered at Colorado Blvd and Fair Oaks Avenue. The City proclaimed a local state of emergency and ordered an 8:00 p.m. curfew. On June 6, hundreds of protesters gathered at a Black Lives Matter rally to denounce police violence against Black people and to stamp out systemic racism.
• In January 2025, Pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the 135th annual Rose Parade for about 20 minutes. A dozen or so protesters sat down on the street at the intersection of Lake Ave. and Colorado Boulevard at the start of the parade.
Civil Disturbance (Location)
The entire region is vulnerable to civil unrest. While no specific hazard zones can be identified or predicted for civil unrest, dense population centers in highly urban areas such as central Los Angeles and Pasadena are more likely to experience this hazard.
Civil Disturbance (Extent)
Civil unrest may result from a wide variety of causes, ranging from local to international.
All regional assets are susceptible to being at risk from civil disturbances. Local government facilities, including Pasadena, are considered most at risk since past demonstrations or rallies have originated in these locations. Other police and fire facilities have also been targeted during past events.
Previous experience indicates that Critical Response (police stations, fire stations) also are at risk during periods of civil unrest. In addition, Critical Operating Facilities are at risk of damage or destruction and may be rendered temporarily inoperative for some period of time. Depending upon the nature of the event, communities and any assets owned by local government organizations/agencies may be considered vulnerable to damage or destruction due to civil unrest.
Civil Disturbance (Probability of Future Events)
While it is not possible to make long-term predictions of civil unrest events, it is highly probable that such events will occur in Southern California jurisdictions from time to time. Because of the extreme unpredictability of civil unrest events, no specific estimates can be made concerning potential losses.
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Natural Gas Incidents
Natural Gas Incidents (Hazard Description)
The United States is heavily dependent on transmission pipelines to distribute energy and fuel sources. Virtually all-natural gas, which accounts for about 28% of energy consumed annually, is transported by transmission pipelines. Energy demand in the United States continues to increase. Although California is a leader in exploring and implementing alternative energy sources such as wind and solar, the expansion of traditional energy sources, such as natural gas, continues.
Most of the natural gas used in California comes from out‐of‐state natural gas basins. It is delivered to California via the interstate natural gas pipeline system. In 2012, California customers received 42% of their natural gas supply from basins in the Southwest, 22% from Canada, 23% from the Rocky Mountains, and 12% from California.
Generally speaking, transmission lines are large‐diameter steel pipes carrying natural gas at high pressure and compressed to provide higher carrying capacity. Transmission lines are both interstate and intrastate, with the latter connecting to smaller distribution lines delivering gas directly to homes and businesses.
Natural Gas Incidents (History)
No significant historical events to report to date.
Natural Gas Incidents (Location)
Natural gas transported via the interstate pipelines, and some of the California‐ produced natural gas, is delivered into the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Southern California Gas (SoCalGas) intrastate natural gas transmission pipeline systems (commonly referred to as California's "backbone" natural gas pipeline system). Natural gas on the utilities' backbone pipeline systems is then delivered into the local transmission and distribution pipeline systems, or to natural gas storage fields.
SoCalGas own and operate several natural gas storage fields that are located in Northern and Southern California. SoCalGas operates a natural gas storage field, Aliso Canyon, located in the north end of the San Fernando Valley area.
Data compiled by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) report a total of 115,292 miles of gas pipelines in California, of which 12,414 miles are classified as gas transmission lines, 403 miles are gas‐gathering lines, and the majority, 102,475 miles, are for gas distribution. Nearly 40% of gas transmission lines are located in Los Angeles, Kern, and San Bernardino counties. Figure 4-21 shows the location and CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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ownership of the natural gas pipeline system. Many of the pipelines are located in areas with high seismic activity, crossing the San Andreas and other active faults.
Figure 4-21: Natural Gas Transmission Lines in Pasadena Natural Gas Incidents (Probability of Future Occurrence) Increased urbanization is resulting in more people living and working closer to existing gas transmission pipelines that were placed prior to government agencies adopting and implementing land use and other pipeline safety regulations. Compounding the potential risk is the age and gradual deterioration of the gas transmission system due to natural causes. Significant failure, including pipe breaks and explosions, can result in loss of life, injury, property damage, and environmental impacts. Causes of and contributors to pipeline failures include construction errors, material defects, internal and external corrosion, operational errors, control system malfunctions, outside force damage, subsidence, and seismicity. Growth in population, urbanization, and land development near transmission pipelines, together with addition of new facilities to meet new demands, may increase the likelihood of pipeline damage due to human activity and the
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exposure of people and property to pipeline failures. Because of this, natural gas pipeline/storage facility failure can occur anytime during the year.
Natural Gas Incidents (Climate Change Consideration)
Climate change will not have a direct effect on natural gas pipelines; however, climate change could increase the demand for natural gas. This increase in demand may require the development of new pipelines, which could increase potential complications.
Natural Gas Incidents (Regulatory Requirements)
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the primary regulatory body overseeing the interstate transmission of natural gas. It is responsible for approving pipeline projects, setting tariffs, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. FERC also enforces the Natural Gas Act and the Natural Gas Policy Act.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under the U.S.
Department of Transportation, regulates the safety of pipelines transporting natural gas and other hazardous materials. It develops and enforces safety standards, conducts inspections, and investigates incidents.
Power Outage
Power Outage (Hazard Description)
A power outage is the loss of the electricity supply to an area. In addition to natural hazards, power failure can result from a defect in a power station, damage to a power line or other part of the distribution system, a short circuit, or the overloading of electricity mains.
A power outage may be referred to as a blackout if power is lost completely or as a brownout if some power supply is retained, but the voltage level is below the minimum level specified for the system, and a short circuit indicates a loss of power for a short amount of time (usually seconds). Some brownouts, called voltage reductions, are made intentionally to prevent a full power outage.
Power failures may also be intentionally induced due to high power demand that exceeds supply or due to actions taken by utility companies to de-energize power lines when there is the possibility of energized power lines being downed during fire Red Flag warnings and causing fires.
Power Outage (History)
Following devastating fires in California in 2017 and 2018, utility companies sought regulatory actions to allow them to de-energize power lines when conditions might result in downed lines causing wildfires. The California Public Utilities Commission developed CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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guidelines for public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) that have affected numerous areas of the State for up to several days.
August 2020 saw the first California electricity providers instituted rolling blackouts since 2001. Hundreds of thousands of people experienced brief power outages through the several evenings after the body that manages most of the state's electric utilities declared a Stage 3 emergency to help reduce stress on the larger grid. Electricity demand surged through the day as temperatures topped the triple digits in many parts of the state, and people cranked up fans and air-conditioning units to try to stay cool.
The emergency order was rescinded before midnight, and power was fully restored to all affected households
The 2011 Southwest blackout, sometimes referred to as the Great Blackout of 2011, was a widespread power outage that affected the San Diego–Tijuana area, southern Orange County, the Imperial Valley, Mexicali Valley, and Coachella Valley, and parts of Arizona. It occurred on Thursday, September 8, 2011, beginning at about 3:38 pm PDT and was the largest power failure in California history.
The 2000-2001 California electricity crisis brought to light many critical issues surrounding the State's power generation and distribution system, including its dependency on out-of-state resources. Although California has implemented effective energy conservation programs, the State continues to experience both population growth and weather cycles contributing to a heavy demand for power. The 2000 and 2001 blackouts occurred due to losses in transmission or generation and/or extremely severe temperatures that lead to heavy electric power consumption.
Power Outage (Location)
Power outages can occur throughout the City service area and affect the entire region.
Power Outage (Extent)
Power outages are typically measured by the number of customers without power. This number is two (2) to three (3) times lower than the number of people affected.
Power Outage (Probability of Future Occurrence)
While the location, duration, and number of people affected cannot be predicted, power outages in the City service area are likely to occur on a continual basis with the likelihood of an incident greater than 10 percent in any year.
Power Outage (Impact of Climate Change)
Climate change may affect the number and severity of power outages. The August 2020 rolling blackouts resulted from high energy usage during record-setting heat throughout CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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the state. As hotter conditions result in more and longer Red Flag warnings and concomitant PSPS, more power outages will occur.
Power Outage (Regulatory Context)
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) plays a pivotal role in regulating privately-owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. It ensures safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates and protects against fraud.
Hazardous Material Release
Hazardous Material Release - Pipeline Failure, Transportation Accidents, Oil Spills (Hazard Description)
A hazardous material is any material that, due to its quantity, concentration, or physical or chemical characteristics, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released. Hazardous materials include but are not limited to hazardous substances, hazardous wastes, and any material that a business or local implementing agency has a reasonable basis to believe would be injurious to the health and safety of persons or would be harmful to the environment if released.
The LHMP does not focus on the hazards contained in everyday products but rather on the hazards associated with potential releases of hazardous substances from transportation corridors and fixed facilities within the City.
Exposure to hazardous materials can cause injury, illness, or death. Effects may be felt over seconds, minutes, or hours (short-term effects) or not emerge until days, weeks, or even years after exposure (long-term effects). Some substances are harmful after a single exposure of short duration, but others require long episodes of exposure or repeated exposure over time to cause harm.
Hazardous materials in the City service area primarily consist of paints, solvents, adhesives, gasoline, household cleaners, batteries, and pesticides and herbicides. The Department of Water and Power has various facilities that use chemicals that if not appropriately contained or during a natural hazard can potentially be released into the air. The toxicity of a specific substance is one important factor in determining the risk it poses, but other factors can be just as important, if not more so. Factors affecting the severity of a hazardous material release include:
• Toxicity
• Quantity
• Dispersal characteristics
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• Location of release in relation to population and sensitive environmental areas • Efficacy of response and recovery actions
Mobile incidents include those that occur on a roadway or a railroad. These incident- related releases are dangerous because they can occur anywhere, including near human populations, critical facilities, or environmentally sensitive areas. Mobile incident- related releases can also be more difficult to mitigate because of the great area over which any given incident might occur and the potential distance of the incident site from response resources.
The release of hazardous substances from stationary sources can be caused by human error, equipment failure, intentional dumping, acts of terrorism, or natural phenomena.
Earthquakes pose a particular risk because they can damage or destroy facilities containing hazardous substances. The threat posed by a hazardous-material event can be amplified by restricted access, reduced fire suppression and spill containment capability, and cutoff of response personnel and equipment.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department Health Hazardous Materials Division is the designated Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) for the City. The CUPA was created by the California legislature to minimize the number of business inspections and fees imposed on businesses associated with the handling of hazardous materials.
Hazardous Material Release (History)
Los Angeles County, with its vast industrial landscape and densely populated urban areas, faces numerous environmental challenges, including the release of various hazardous materials. These releases can originate from industrial facilities, transportation accidents, and other sources, posing significant risks to public health and the environment. Below is a list of the most resent hazard materials releases. • Aliso Canyon Gas Leak (2015-2016) - One of the most significant environmental disasters in Los Angeles County was the Aliso Canyon gas leak, which released massive amounts of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. The leak lasted several months, causing health problems for nearby residents and contributing to climate change.
• Exide Technologies Plant (2013) - The Exide Technologies battery recycling plant in Vernon was found to have released hazardous levels of lead and arsenic into the air and soil. This led to the plant's closure and extensive cleanup efforts to protect public health and the environment.
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• Refugio Oil Spill (2015) - Although not in Los Angeles County directly, the Refugio Oil Spill off the coast of Santa Barbara impacted the region's environment. Thousands of gallons of crude oil spilled into the ocean, affecting marine life, coastal ecosystems, and local economies.
Hazardous Material Release (Location)
The City like many urban areas, handles and stores various hazardous materials essential for industrial, commercial, and public health applications. The following provides a list of potential sources for hazardous materials releases within the City planning area.
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
• Huntington Hospital
• Kaiser Permanente Pasadena Medical Offices
• Pasadena Water and Power
• Chevron Pasadena Refinery
Hazardous Material Release (Extent)
The extent of a hazardous material spill may vary from significant impacts causing injuries and evacuation to minor impacts requiring minimal cleanup. Hazardous materials releases can be harmful in the following ways:
• Chemical, biological, and radiological agents can cause significant health risks to those exposed to them; biological agents can be additionally dangerous if they are infectious. Flammable and explosive materials also present life safety concerns when exposed to heat.
• Oil spills can present an immediate fire hazard and can contaminate drinking water supplies. Any release of hazardous material requires a thorough and careful clean-up of the site and decontamination of those exposed. Clean-up and recovery are time and cost consuming.
• Delays caused by hazardous materials releases and the ensuing evacuation and cleanup processes could lead to significant economic losses due to traffic delays (mobile releases) or operational shut-down (fixed facilities). • Overall, hazardous materials can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects, and damage to buildings, the environment, homes, and other property.
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Hazardous Material Release (Probability of Future Occurrence) Based on previous occurrences, the likelihood of small hazardous materials releases is high and can occur at any time.
Hazardous Material Release (Regulatory Environment)
To address the release of hazardous materials, Los Angeles County has implemented several regulatory measures and public health initiatives. These efforts aim to minimize risks, ensure compliance with environmental laws, and promote community awareness. • The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) is responsible for regulating air quality in the region. It sets emissions standards, monitors air pollution, and enforces regulations to reduce the release of hazardous air pollutants.
• The. Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) works to protect public health by monitoring environmental hazards, conducting health assessments, and providing information to the community about potential risks and safety measures.
• The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) oversees environmental protection efforts statewide, including in Los Angeles County. It enforces regulations related to hazardous waste, water quality, and toxic substances, and provides funding for cleanup and mitigation projects.
Terrorism
Terrorism (Hazard Description)
Terrorism is the use or threat of force to achieve a particular social or political outcome.
The goals of terrorism may sometimes be overturning a government, the reversal of a public policy, political prisoners' release, and other such motives. Acts of terror may overlap with acts of war or hate crimes. Generally, terrorism involves an attempt to kill or seriously harm people or disrupt civil society by destroying property or infrastructure, attacking government operations at all levels, interrupting essential public services, creating chaos, or a combination of some or all these goals. Firearms and explosives are the most common weapons used among terrorists. In extreme situations, terrorists may gain access to mass destruction weapons, including bioweapons, chemical agents, radioactive materials, or high-yield explosives. It should be noted that these events are infrequent. While incidents of terror caused by foreign individuals or groups receive significant media and public attention, most acts of terror in the United States have been caused by domestic terrorists.
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A mass casualty incident describes an incident within the United States where emergency medical service resources, such as personnel and equipment, are overwhelmed by the number and severity of casualties. The more commonly recognized events of this type include building collapses, train and bus collisions, plane crashes, earthquakes, and other large-scale emergencies. The most common types are generally caused by terrorism, mass transportation accidents, or natural disasters.
Events such as the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, the September 11 attacks in 2001, and the 2017 Las Vegas Shooting are well-publicized examples of mass casualty incidents.
Terrorism (History)
The City has been fortunate not to have experienced any acts of terrorism directly.
However, the following acts of terrorism/mass casualty incident events have occurred in California and the Country:
• August 1999 – On August 10, 1999, an American white supremacist walked into the lobby of the Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills and opened fire with an Uzi sub machine gun, firing 70 bullets into the complex. The gunfire wounded five (5) people.
• July 2002 – A man opened fire at the ticket counter at Los Angeles International Airport, killing two (2) people and injuring several others before being shot dead by security personnel.
• May 2015 - Two (2) Anaheim-based men were arrested at a Transportation Security Administration checkpoint at the Los Angeles International Airport who had reportedly sworn allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). One of these men, Muhanad Badawi, was a student at Fullerton College. • December 2015 - A mass shooting and terrorist attack committed by a married couple who had reportedly sworn allegiance to ISIS killed 14 people at a medical facility in the City of San Bernardino.
• April 2019 – The Poway synagogue shooting occurred on April 27, 2019, at Chabad of Poway synagogue in Poway, California on the last day of the Jewish Passover holiday, which fell on a Shabbat. Armed with an AR-15–style rifle, the gunman, fatally shot one woman and injured three (3) other people, including the synagogue's rabbi.
Terrorism (Location)
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where many people congregate (parks, schools, places of worship, government facilities, shopping centers, and public gathering areas) are most common. Critical locations in Pasadena may be the Rose Bowl, shopping centers, governmental facilities (i.e., City Hall), colleges, medical facilities, parks, and large employers within the City (i.e., Jet Propulsion Laboratory). Acts of terrorism may be located at the locations listed above; however, the perpetrators may also choose high-value targets such as electric- generating facilities, water treatment plants, dams or reservoirs, railroads, highways, and other facilities that could impact governmental operations and services.
Terrorism (Extent)
Mass Casualty Incidents and acts of terrorism are typically measured by the fatalities, injuries, and destruction they cause, but there is no universally used scale for measuring these events.
Terrorism (Probability of Future Occurrence)
Given that mass casualty incidents and acts of terrorism stem from a variety of factors:
economics, societal pressures, mental health, global geopolitics, warfare, religion, etc. it is impossible to predict when and where an incident could occur. The Rose Bowl is a significant facility with state and national importance. While important, it is anticipated that any future incidents would likely originate domestically and are less likely to attract the attention of international terrorist groups. Incidents of these types are more likely to be conducted by smaller organizations or individuals aligned with greater-known organizations, although the effects may be no less significant. Given the presence of this facility as well as large shopping center, numerous schools, and large employers within the City, the potential does exist for mass-casualty incidents/acts of terrorism.
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4.6 Capability Assessment
A capability assessment was conducted of the City’s authorities, policies, programs, and resources. From the assessment, goals, and mitigation actions were developed. The planning team also developed a plan to prioritize, implement, and administer the mitigation actions to reduce risk to existing buildings and new development.
4.7 Existing Authorities, Policies, Programs, and Resources An assessment of authorities, policies and programs, and resources was conducted to identify capabilities that reduce vulnerability to hazards. The capabilities include authorities and policies, such as legal and regulatory resources, fiscal resources, and staff (e.g., technical personnel such as planners/engineers with knowledge of land development and land management practices, engineers trained in construction practices related to building and infrastructure, planners and engineers with an understanding of natural or human-caused hazards, floodplain managers, surveyors, personnel with GIS skills, and staff with expertise of the hazards in the planning area).
The planning team also considered ways to expand on and improve these existing policies and programs to integrate hazard mitigation into the day-to-day activities and programs of the City. Tables 4-15, 4-16, 4-17, and 4-18 summarize the existing authorities, policies, programs, and resources to implement mitigation actions and projects.
4.7.1 Planning and Regulatory Capabilities
Planning and regulatory capabilities include local ordinances, policies, and laws to manage growth and development. Examples include land use plans, capital improvement plans, transportation plans, emergency preparedness and response plans, building codes, and zoning ordinances. These capabilities may be used to inform and support mitigation planning or may be modified as mitigation action. Table 4-1 lists City planning and regulatory capabilities. Under the Description column is an explanation of the City’s ability to use the LHMP to expand on and improve these existing policies and programs.
Table 4-15: Local Planning and Regulatory Capabilities
Name/Version
Date
Hazards
Addressed Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Arroyo Seco
Flood Hazard
Warning and
Flooding Mitigate flooding risk and effects to population.
Expansion and Improvement: The HMP and the
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Name/Version
Date
Hazards
Addressed Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Contingency
Plan (2018)
Arroyo Seco Flood Hazard Warning and
Contingency Plan should be closely correlated.
As both plans are updated, mitigation measures
should be incorporated.
Pasadena Water
and Power
Integrated
Resource Plan
(2021)
Climate
Change
Reduce City carbon footprint and minimize cost
of service to ratepayers.
Expansion and Improvement: The HMP and this
plan should correlate, specifically in regard to
Climate Change and the mitigation measures
associated with the HMP.
Pasadena
Adopted Budget
(2025)
All City’s Budget
Expansion and Improvement: Future budget will
include hazard mitigation projects as part of the
general fund budget.
Capital
Improvement
Program (2025-
2028)
All A compilation of infrastructure and major
maintenance projects designed to expand,
enhance and/or preserve the foundation of this
great City.
Expansion and Improvement: Future iterations of
the CIP will incorporate hazard mitigation
activities.
Capital
Improvement
Program Water
System (2022-
2026)
Earthquake,
Drought,
A compilation of infrastructure and major
maintenance projects designed to expand,
enhance, and preserve the water system.
Expansion and Improvement: Future iterations of
the plan will ensure projects align with the hazard
mitigation activities.
Pasadena
Climate Action
Climate
Change,
This is a Greenhouse Gas Reduction document
for the City to help achieve its goals of reducing
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Name/Version
Date
Hazards
Addressed Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Plan (2018) Drought,
Extreme
Weather, Fire,
greenhouse gases that contribute to climate
change impacts.
The plan may be found at the following
link:
https://www.cityofpasadena.net/planning/plannin
g-division/community-planning/climate-action-
plan/
Expansion and Improvement: The HMP and
Climate Action Plan should be closely correlated.
As the Climate Action Plan is updated, mitigation
measures from the new HMP can be
incorporated.
Pasadena
Economic
Strategic Plan
(2025)
Flooding,
earthquake,
Fire
To provide Pasadena a five(5)-year economic
development strategic plan that guides priorities,
policies, programs, and services.
Pasadena
General Plan
Land Use
Element (2015)
All The Land Use Element designates the general
distribution, location, and extent (including
standards for population density and building
intensity) of the uses of land for housing,
business, industry, agriculture, open space,
public facilities, and other categories of public
and private uses.
Pasadena
General Plan
Safety Element
(2002)
Natural
Hazards
Addresses these safety issues, with emphasis on
the naturally occurring conditions that pose a
hazard to Pasadena, and provides goals,
policies, and programs aimed at reducing the
City’s risk from these hazards.
Expansion and Improvement: Align the HMP with
the future iteration of the Safety Element.
Pasadena Code Multiple Local laws enacted by Pasadena, created to address matters of local concern that are not
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Name/Version
Date
Hazards
Addressed Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
of Ordinances covered by state or federal laws.
The codes itemized below have been adopted
and may have been amended by the City of
Pasadena.
• 2022 California Building Code (Volume 1 & 2)
• 2022 California Residential Code
• 2022 California Electrical Code
• 2022 California Mechanical Code
• 2022 California Plumbing Code
• 2022 California Energy Code
• 2022 California Green Building Standards
Code
• 2022 California Fire Code
Expansion and Improvement: Ensure ordinances
align with industry standards and look at the
implications of adding additional restrictions that
improve mitigation City wide.
City Urban
Water
Management
Plan (UWMP)
Drought,
Climate
Change
The UWMP provides urban water suppliers
(including the City) with a planning document for
long-term resource planning to ensure adequate
water supplies are available to meet existing and
future water supply needs. In addition, the
UMWP incorporates water supply reliability
determinations resulting from potentially
prolonged drought, regulatory revisions, and/or
changing climatic conditions.
Expansion and Improvement: The UWMP and
HMP will be aligned in describing and developing
mitigation actions to address climate change and
drought. Water demand reduction strategies
contained in the UWMP should be considered for
inclusion as mitigation activities in the HMP.
Wildfire
Mitigation Plan
Wildfire Identifies and puts into action wildfire prevention strategies.
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Name/Version
Date
Hazards
Addressed Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
(2020)
Expansion and Improvement: The Wildfire
Mitigation Plan and HMP will be aligned in
describing and developing mitigation actions to
the impacts of wildfire.
Cybersecurity
Strategic Plan
Cybersecurity The cybersecurity strategic plan identifies and puts into action initiatives that improve overall
City cybersecurity awareness, practices, and
controls.
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4.7.2 Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Administrative and technical capabilities include community (including public and private) staff and their skills and tools that can be used for mitigation planning and implementation. This capability includes engineers, planners, emergency managers, GIS analysts, building inspectors, grant writers, and floodplain managers. Some communities may rely on other government entities such as counties or special City’s for resources.
These capabilities may be used when planning mitigation activities to support project feasibility studies, designs, estimates, and construction.
Table 4-16: Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Communications City Manager's
Office
The City’s Public Information Office provides
outreach and information to the public,
creative services to all internal departments,
and videography for the City; also handles all
website administration.
Expansion and Improvement: Strengthen ties
with community organizations and businesses
to ensure key content and information is
timely and relevant. Create additional
communications platforms to ensure
information and content reaches community
members.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
City Clerk's Office
and Records
Management
City Manager's
Office
The City Clerk / Records Management
Department Supervises and coordinates City
elections; serves as Filing Officer for City
appeals as designated by various sections of
the Pasadena Municipal Code; prepares and
updates the City's Conflict of Interest Code,
and serves as Filing Officer for the Fair
Political Practices Commission; receives and
opens all sealed bids and formally releases
bid bonds; receives, processes and maintains
claims, public record requests, special event
applications, summonses and complaints;
assists the public and City staff by providing
information and research assistance; and
directs the retention and destruction of official
records in accordance with applicable laws
and regulations.
Expansion and Improvement: Prioritize new
initiatives that support mitigation activities
within the City.
Code Compliance Planning and
Community
Development
Code Compliance is responsible for
enforcement of the city’s zoning and housing
and environmental codes.. The Pasadena
Municipal Code regulates parking on private
property, zoning, property maintenance, weed
abatement on undeveloped lots and other
substandard conditions on residential,
commercial, and industrial properties.
Expansion and Improvement: Utilize code
compliance as a means of incorporating
mitigation into structures and improvements
conducted by residents and businesses.
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Engineering
Public Works
The department is charged with overseeing,
planning, designing, and implementation of
infrastructure projects. Some of the
department's functions include:
• Act as the lead agency for construction
and public works contracts within the
Right-of- Way.
• Program, plan, design and administer the
construction of the annual Capital
Improvement Program.
• Issue encroachment and traffic control
permits for any work within the Right-of-
Way.
• Inspect construction within the Right-of-
Way to verify conformance with the
permit conditions and compliance with the
latest City codes.
• Review all proposed residential,
commercial and industrial development
projects and provide engineering input as
well as conditions of approval for
proposed projects.
• Plan check all development plans
including those that impact other
department functions.
• Manage the NPDES program activities,
such as business inspection, construction
site inspection, public education, and
outreach, etc.
• Manage traffic engineering and
transportation planning activities.
• Provide support for other departments
working within the Right-of-Way.
Expansion and Improvement: Work with
Engineering to identify soft structures within
the City boundary and develop mitigation
strategies to make improvements.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Department is responsible for maintaining and
improving the City's vital infrastructure,
including streets, sidewalks, parks,
landscaping, sewers, storm drains, and public
facilities. Services are divided into three (3)
subdivisions: Integrated Waste (provides
refuse collection services to resident and
businesses), Municipal Services (maintains
City and community facilities and provides
City fleet services), and Parks and Street
Maintenance. These services include
maintenance of public buildings and facilities,
landscaping and park upkeep, street and
sidewalk maintenance and repair, storm drain
and sewer servicing, and graffiti abatement.
Expansion and Improvement: Improve the
understanding of the role that daily activities
play in hazard mitigation. Develop hazard
mitigation projects that aid in mitigation.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Information
Technology
Information
Technology
The role of the IT Department is to support
the operational departments with reliable
systems and information daily. The most
critical support required of IT being network,
communications and applications support.
The IT department provides short- and long-
term direction in planning, researching,
selecting and deploying future technologies.
IT strives to accommodate improved business
process automation, self-service and quality
customer service through a variety of
hardware and software solutions. The IT
Department also leads cybersecurity efforts,
including increasing cybersecurity awareness
in staff through training and assessments, risk
assessment of procurements involving IT
systems or technologies, recommendations
for improvements, internal IT audits, and the
development of policies and standards
supporting confidentiality, integrity and
availability of information systems.
Expansion and Improvement: Increase
system redundancy and resiliency through
improvements to technologies and
connectivity.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Utilities Water and
Power
Pasadena Water and Power is a community
enterprise that has always been essential to
the health, economy and quality of life in the
City. Today, PWP provides electricity to more
than 65,000 customers within Pasadena and
delivers water to almost 38,000 households
and businesses in Pasadena and adjacent
communities in the San Gabriel Valley.
Expansion and Improvement: Increase
system redundancy and resiliency through
enhanced systems operations and additional
connections within and outside of the City.
Public Safety Police
Department
Pasadena Police Department is tasked with
protecting life and property while preserving
the peace. This department is responsible for
conducting public safety activities,
investigating criminal activity, and directing
traffic.
Expansion and Improvement: Provide training
to Officers to better enable them to see
potential hazards and take action to report
them.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Public Health Public Health
Department
Pasadena Public Health Department is
responsible for helping protect, maintain and
improve the health of the Pasadena
community. The City of Pasadena is one of
only three (3) cities in the state of California
that maintains its own independent local
health jurisdiction with responsibility for a wide
variety of services that support the three (3)
core public health functions of assessment,
policy development and assurance.
Expansion and Improvement: Increase
coordination and collaboration with Fire,
Police and County agencies to mitigate future
public health hazards from spreading.
Emergency
Management
Fire Develops, coordinates, and manages
programs that prevent, prepare for, respond
to, recover from, and mitigate natural and
human-caused disasters and emergencies.
Expansion and Improvement: Increase
coordination and collaboration with other City
departments, especially during annual
budgeting.
Fire Department Fire Pasadena Fire Department has 202
authorized positions comprised of 172 sworn
personnel and 30 non-sworn.
Expansion and Improvement: Proactively
identify opportunities to coordinate and
collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions to
increase City and region-wide capabilities.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Housing Housing The Housing Department administers funds the City receives from the United States
Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). These funds are
authorized under HUD's Community
Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
and used to benefit low- and moderate-
income families and aid in the rehabilitation
and development of blighted areas within the
City.
Expansion and Improvement: Integrate
mitigation actions and strategies into low- and
moderate-income areas to reduce blight and
potentially spur further investment.
Planning Planning and
Community
Development
The Planning and Community Development
Department plays a critical role in achieving
the City Council's goals and objectives related
to land use, urban design, and the quality and
sustainability of the built environment.
Expansion and Improvement: Provide
opportunities for continued education to
Community Development staff to maintain
state-of-the-art knowledge of new code and
regulatory requirements.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Building Planning and
Community
Development
The Planning and Community Development
Department provides professional plan review
and inspection services to ensure buildings
and projects are built and developed in
compliance with all applicable municipal and
state code requirements.
Expansion and Improvement: Provide
opportunities for continued education to
Community Development staff to maintain
state-of-the-art knowledge of new code and
regulatory requirements.
Financial Services Finance The Finance Department is tasked with maintaining reliable accounting records,
payment of approved demands against the
City treasury, financial statement reporting,
preparation of the annual budget, prudent
fiscal planning, payroll processing, and debt
administration.
Expansion and Improvement: Assist with key
mitigation activities associated with cost
tracking hazard events and disasters,
identifying grant funding opportunities, grant
reporting and administration, and establishing
financial risk calculations that can help assist
with budgeting of operations, maintenance,
and capital improvements.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Human Resources Human
Resources
The Human Resources Department plans,
coordinates and administers a comprehensive
human resources management program for
the City of Pasadena and its employees. This
includes the recruitment and retention of
highly qualified employees, maintenance of a
competitive employee compensation program,
implementation and use of current technology
for the City's human resources, organizational
and employee development, and
employee/labor relations. Identifies, evaluates
and manages the City's risk and liability
programs. This includes claims
administration, the maintenance of
liability/insurance coverage as well as the
compliance with governmental regulation. In
addition, the department administers the
City's workers' compensation and employee
safety programs.
Expansion and Improvement: Increase
knowledge and information through better
data collection and tracking.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
Floodplain
Manager
Planning and
Community
Development
Department
The duties and responsibilities of the
Floodplain Administrator shall include, but not
be limited to:
• Permit review
• Flood hazard reduction
• NFIP program administration
• Construction inspections
Expansion and Improvement: The Floodplain
Administrator supports compliance with NFIP
requirements, advocates for appropriate
development in flood hazard areas, and
provides technical expertise on effective flood
mitigation activities. This can support
mitigation activities.
Planning
Commission
Planning and
Community
Development
Department
The Planning Commission is responsible for
reviewing proposed residential and
commercial development projects,
subdivisions, and land use requests on
private property, to determine their
compliance with applicable City regulations.
The Commission has the authority to approve
various development project addition. The
Commission makes recommendations to the
City Council with respect to the City's General
Plan, Zoning Code, Specific Plans and other
matters related to development within the
City. The Commission may be responsible for
implementing mitigation items pertaining to
the Commission's scope.
Expansion and Improvement: Provide
opportunities for continued education to
members of the Planning Commission to
maintain state-of-the-art knowledge of new
code and regulatory requirements.
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Resource Name Lead
Department Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation)
City Attorney City Manager's
Office
Reviews and approves resolutions and
ordinances.
Expansion and Improvement: Provide
opportunities for the City Attorney to review
updates to regulatory information to provide
expert review of City resolutions and
ordinances that may address hazard
mitigation
GIS
Department of
Information and
Technology
Provides complex mapping and data
management of City facilities, land use, and
potential hazards. Supports visualization of
complex data sets using geo-location and
data correlation.
Expansion and Improvement: Acquire and
conduct training for GIS technicians on the
latest versions of ArcGIS.
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4.7.3 Financial Capabilities
Financial capabilities include grants, general funds, property sales, income taxes, development impact fees, or stormwater utility fees. Based on procedures for each resource, these financial resources may be used to support mitigation activities.
Table 4-17: Financial Capabilities
Resource Name Administrator Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation) General Fund
https://www.cityof
pasadena.net/fina
nce/general-fund/
Department
Specific
Program operations and specific projects.
Consists of property tax, sales tax, transient
occupancy tax, and franchise tax that can be
used for general purposes.
Expansion and Improvement: Hazard
mitigation projects may be considered during
the annual budgeting process for funding
from the general fund.
Enterprise Funds Fund specific The City operates a variety of Special Revenue Funds. Special Revenue Funds are
used to account for revenue derived from
specific taxes or other revenue sources that
are restricted by law or administrative action
to be expended for specified purposes.
Expansion and Improvement: Where
permissible, Special Revenue Funds may be
considered during the annual budgeting
process for funding mitigation projects.
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Resource Name Administrator Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation) Community
Development
Block Grants
(CDBG)
Fund Specific The CDBG program provides funding for
eligible senior activities such as in-home
care, art classes, counseling, and home-
delivered meals. HUD also provides Disaster
Recovery Assistance in the form of flexible
grants to help cities, counties, and States
recover from Presidentially declared
disasters, especially in low- income areas,
subject to the availability of supplemental
appropriations.
Expansion and Improvement: Where
applicable, CDBG grants should be used to
fund mitigation projects that enhance the
resiliency of low-income and underserved
communities.
Hazard Mitigation
Grant Program
(HMPG)
Emergency
Management
Provides support for pre-and post-disaster
mitigation plans and projects.
Expansion and Improvement: Train staff on
notice of intent (NOI) procedures and track
opportunities on the Cal OES mitigation
website to initiate applications for grant
funding.
Flood Mitigation
Assistance grant
program (FMA)
Grant Funding Mitigates structures and infrastructure that have been repetitively flooded.
Expansion and Improvement: Train staff on
notice of intent (NOI) procedures and track
opportunities on the Cal OES mitigation
website to initiate applications for grant
funding.
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4.7.4 Education and Outreach Capabilities
These capabilities include fire safety programs, hazard awareness campaigns, and public information or communications offices. Education and outreach capabilities can be used to inform the public on current and potential mitigation activities.
Table 4-18: Education and Outreach Capabilities
Resource Name City Leads Description (Effect on Hazard
Mitigation)
Public Information Officer City
Managers
Officer
Develops and delivers outreach and
engagement programs that promote
hazard awareness.
Expansion and Improvement: Provide
additional information to the community
about hazard mitigation activities.
City Web Sites
https://www.cityofpasaden
a.net
https://www.cityofpasaden
a.net/fire/
Various Provides easily accessed information
about the City. Used for LHMP public
outreach and engagement.
Expansion and Improvement: Use the
City website to provide additional
information to the community about
hazard mitigation activities.
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Resource Name City Leads Description (Effect on Hazard
Mitigation)
City Social Media
Accounts
https://www.instagram.co
m/cityofpasadena
https://x.com/pasadenagov
https://www.facebook.com/
cityofpasadena
https://www.instagram.co
m/pasadenafiredepartment
/
https://www.facebook.com/
PasadenaFD
Various Provides easily accessed information
about the City. Used for LHMP public
outreach and engagement.
Expansion and Improvement: Use the
City social media platforms to provide
additional information to the community
about hazard mitigation activities.
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4.8 National Flood Insurance Program Participation
The City of Pasadena adopted the Model Floodplain Management Ordinance within the City to maintain eligibility within the National Flood Insurance Program. Table 4-19 contains information from the FEMA Community Status Book Report for communities participating in the NFIP.
Table 4-19: City of Pasadena NFIP Information
CID Community
Name County
Initial
FHBM
Ident
Initial
FIRM
Ident
Current
Eff Map
Date Reg-
Emer Date
065050C City of
Pasadena
Los Angeles 05/02/1972 09/26/08 (NSFHA) 09/07/1984
Since 1968 the NFIP has provided federally funded flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and businesses in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. The adoption of Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) Chapter 14.27, passed in 2006, allows residents of the City to remain eligible to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. The Ordinance meets the minimum standards set forth in Title 44, Section 60.3 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The City of Pasadena participates in the Community Rating System.
The Floodplain Management Ordinance's effect is limited to requiring that any new construction or substantial improvement to existing structures will have to comply with the standards of construction identified in the Ordinance. The City’s continued involvement in NFIP supports this plan. Currently, the City of Pasadena implements a floodplain management program designed to protect the people and property of the City and implements activities such as public information and outreach activities, mapping and regulatory activities, and flood damage reduction activities.
The floodplain administrator (City Manager or designee shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood data available from federal or state agencies or other source to identify flood-prone areas within the boundaries of the city of Pasadena. This data will be on file at the city of Pasadena Department of Planning and Community Development, 175 North Garfield Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101.
The City does not have any repetitive loss properties.
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SECTION 5: RISK ASSESSMENT
A risk assessment involves evaluating vulnerable assets, describing potential impacts, and estimating losses for each hazard. The intention of a risk assessment is to help the community understand the greatest risks facing the City. The risk assessment defines and quantifies vulnerable staff, buildings, critical facilities, and other assets at risk from hazards and is based on the best available data and the significance of the hazard. The risk assessment further examines the impact of the identified hazards on the City, determines which areas of the City are most vulnerable to each hazard, and estimates potential losses to City facilities for each hazard.
5.1 Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern
Critical facilities (CF) consist of properties and structures that play important roles in government operations and the services they provide to the community. Examples of CFs include local government offices and yards, community centers, public safety buildings like police and fire stations, schools, and other properties a city has deemed essential for its operations. Critical Facilities may also serve dual roles if a city designates them as public assembly points during an emergency. Critical Facilities are often owned by the City, but some may also be owned and operated privately, such as some utilities and telecommunication infrastructure. Facilities of Concern (FOC) are similar to critical facilities; however, the City may not own them, or their purpose and function are not as important to the function of the City after a disaster. These facilities are identified to ensure the City understands their potential vulnerability to the hazards of concern.
The HMPC identified a total of 157 facilities [107 CFs and 50 FOC] in Pasadena that fall into 4 categories based on their function or characteristics. Table 5-1 shows the number of CFs and FOC in each category, the total estimated replacement value for these facilities, and examples of the type of facility in each category. Figure 5-1 shows the locations of the mapped CFs and FOC in Pasadena.
The potential loss values identified in subsequent tables are based on the City’s total insured value using the City’s Insured Asset Inventory. It is intended to provide an estimate of the replacement cost if the property/ structure is completely or severely damaged. The actual costs of repair could be smaller or larger than the provided estimate. Since the data comes from the City’s Insured Asset Inventory, no facilities not owned by the City will not have a replacement value listed. Where this occurs, “N/A” has been used within the table.
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Based on the available data provided by the City, a minimum of $1,261,099,373.00 worth of City-owned assets were analyzed. The total potential loss value of all City- owned and non-City-owned assets is much higher but is unknown due to data limitations.
The greatest potential for loss among City-owned assets comes from the Recreational Facilities category, which includes but is not limited to the Rose Bowl Stadium, libraries, cultural centers, community centers, and a museum located throughout the City. The next critical facility category with the greatest potential for loss would be City owned utilities, which include the power plant, reservoirs, substations, and pumpstations. The next category is Emergency Operations facilities which include Police and Fire Department facilities and equipment, while City owned residential property is the fourth highest potential loss among City owned facilities.
To better understand the magnitude of impacts, this plan identifies representative percentages of potential impact based on the total valuation of City assets. For planning purposes, we identified different tiers of impact that could occur. It is reasonable to assume that impacts would not exceed 50% of the total asset value city-wide during a single event. The following are parameters to help understand how much a proposed investment/improvement compares to the existing assets within the City:
• 1% Impact - $12,620,993
• 5% Impact – $63,054,968
• 10% Impact – $126,109,937
• 20% Impact - $252,219,874
• 50% Impact - $630,549,686
The possibility that all facilities will be completely damaged simultaneously is extremely rare. Based on the hazard, most impacts are anticipated to be isolated to certain locations. This estimate does not include the value of the City's underground infrastructure and surface drainage facilities.
Table 5-1 lists the number of facilities and their associated potential replacement values.
Table 5-1: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern in Pasadena CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities -
Concern
Examples Potential
Loss
Government
Operations,
Modular
18 13 City Hall, City Hall
East, City Hall
Annex, Support
Buildings,
Corporate Yard,
Modular Buildings,
Schools, Armory
Building, Parking
Garage, Train
Station
$459,064,100
Emergency
Operations
11 0 Police Station, Fire
Stations, Fire
Equipment
(Engines)
$76,963,985
Water and
Wastewater
Infrastructur
e, Power
Distribution
System
57 0 Reservoirs, Holding
Tanks, Pump
Houses/Stations,
Booster Stations,
Pressure Reducing
Systems, Power
Plant, Substation
$88,266,275
Recreational,
Cultural, and
Community
Centers
5 37 Stadium, Museum,
Libraries, Golf
Courses, Parks,
Community
Centers, etc.
$628,752,079
Residential 16 0 Rental Housing
Units
$8,052,934
Total 107 50 --- $1,261,099,373
* Potential loss data are estimates only, as replacement values for some facilities were not available. Actual losses may be greater than the estimate presented in this table.
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Figure 5-1: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern
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5.2 Vulnerable Populations
Factors such as age, physical and/or mental condition, socioeconomic status, access to key services, and many other factors affect the ability of people to prepare for and protect themselves and their property from a hazard event. Even though some hazard events may impact all parts of Pasadena with equal severity, different people may experience the impacts differently. Higher-income households, for instance, are likely more able to afford the cost of retrofitting their homes to resist flooding or, alternatively, move to a location that is less prone to flooding than a lower-income household. As a result, the higher-income household is less likely to experience significant damage during a flood event than the lower-income household, even if the same amount of rain falls on both.
A social threat analysis examines how hazard events are likely to impact different demographic populations in Pasadena and where these different demographic 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 threatened population. The social threat analysis uses the following criteria to assess the threat to vulnerable populations:
• Disability status: Persons with disabilities may often have reduced mobility and experience difficulties living independently. As a result, they may have little or no ability to prepare for and mitigate hazard conditions without assistance from others. Figure 5-2 below demonstrates the total number of people with a disability by census tract in the City of Pasadena.
• 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.
• Seniors (individuals at least 65 years of age): Seniors 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.
Table 5-2 shows the number of people in Pasadena who meet at least one of the criteria for threatened or vulnerable populations. For more detailed demographic information, please refer to Section 3. Figures 5-3 – 5-5 provide further information of vulnerable populations in the City of Pasadena.
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The social threat analysis also shows the threat other populations may encounter. For example, people experiencing homelessness or people without access to lifelines (vehicles or communication networks) may experience greater hardship in evacuating or recovering from a disaster. Since data for these groups is not readily available, there is no definitive way to determine the amount of these persons in areas of elevated risk, so this assessment will discuss how these other threatened groups may be affected on a general level.
Table 5-2: Pasadena Threatened-Population Metrics
Threatened Population Metric Community-Wide
Data
Population 144,388
Households 57,226
Median household income $76,264
Renter Households 61%
Percentage of households with at least one person
living with a disability
9.4%
Percentage of households living under the poverty limit 13.8% Percentage of households with one-member aged 65+ 9.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (2023), 2019 American Community Survey Pasadena Health Assessment for People Living with Disabilities (2019)
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Figure 5-2: Total Number of People with Disability by Census Tract in the City of Pasadena
Figure 5-3: Percent of People with a Disability in Pasadena
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Figure 5-4: Percent of Population with a Disability by Type
Figure 5-5: Percent of Population with Disability by Age
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5.2.1 Data Limitations and Notes on Vulnerability Figures The planning team used City provided demographic data to determine the percentage of residents with a disability. This 2017 data (the latest available) showed that 10.2 % (percent) of the population had a disability. The team also considered using the 2020-23 U.S. census data for this purpose. The census data listed 5.3% (percent) of the population with a disability. Census data only provides information on disabilities for persons under 65. The planning team selected the 2017 data point as being more inclusive. Both data sets used the Six Standard Questions Census criteria for determining a disability.
5.3 Identification of Critical Facilities and Assets
The location and operations of high-risk facilities such as critical infrastructures and key assets in or near the City are a significant concern with respect to a disaster. The planning team used FEMA's “Public Assistance Guide” (FEMA 322) 22 that defines critical facilities like data centers, utility plants, or highly hazardous materials facilities.
They also used the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Handbook, which describes three (3) categories of facilities for analysis to revise this list: critical facilities for City operations; high potential loss facilities and facilities with hazardous materials; and critical infrastructure such as police/fire stations, streets and bridges, reservoirs, and pump stations.
5.4 Other Assets
In addition to the City’s designated inventory of CFs/FOC and vulnerable populations, hazard events could threaten other important assets to Pasadena. These assets may include services, artistic or cultural landmarks, or local economic activities. The threat assessment describes the potential harm to these other assets based on available information.
5.5 Risk Assessment and Potential Loss
The risk assessment and potential losses for physical damage for City facilities are listed in the tables below. Because the City provides a critical lifeline infrastructure support system, potential losses beyond physical damage must be considered. Loss of potable water service due to non-destructive events results in community hardship, economic loss, and reputational damage. Computing potential losses from these risks is beyond the scope of this LHMP and must be considered in the context of the impact on the entire City.
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5.6 Analysis of Potential Losses by Hazard
Dam Failure
Physical Threat
Various factors, such as the amount of water released, the distance between the dam failure site, and the topography of the surrounding land, will influence the extent to which physical assets in Pasadena are threatened. Devils Gate Dam and Eaton Wash Dam have large storage capacities that could cause localized inundation in Pasadena if the reservoir waters are released due to a dam breach. Table 5-3 identifies the physical assets in Pasadena that are threatened by the potential failure of Devils Gate and Eaton Wash Dam. Based on this analysis, dam inundation would affect 4 CFs and 2 FOCs within the City, with the potential to cause approximately $437 million in damages, based on available information. Figure 5-6 shows the location of the identified CFs and FOCs within these dam inundation zones.
Table 5-3: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (Dam Failure) Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities -
Concern
Potential
Loss**
Government Operations, Emergency
Operations
4 0 $45,427,589
Recreational, Cultural, Community
Centers
0 2 $5,484,509
Total 4 2 $50,912,098
** Based on the City of Pasadena insured replacement values.
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Figure 5-6: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern in Dam Inundation Zones
Social Threat
Dam failure hazards in the City would impact various downstream properties and the residents that live there. Table 5-4 identifies these potential dam failure impacts caused by the Devils Gate and Eaton Wash Dam. Failure of the two (2) dams would affect almost 10% of the population and inundate 5% of the acreage in the City of Pasadena.
Table 5-4: Dam Failure Threatened Populations
Threatened Population Metric
Eaton Wash/
Devils Gate
Dam
City
Population 14,438 144,388
Households 5,722 57,226
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Threatened Population Metric
Eaton Wash/
Devils Gate
Dam
City
Median household income $126,012 $76,264
Percentage of households living under the
poverty limit
3.54% 13.8%
* Percentages are estimates only, as exact values for some statistics were not available.
Actual percentages might be greater than the estimate presented in this table. ** Based on the City insured replacement values
Other Threats
Dam failures are often triggered by other events (e.g., seismic shaking, intense rainstorms, etc.). There would most likely be service disruptions in Pasadena if this type of event occurred. Floodwaters could quickly inundate the city, disrupting utilities such as water, power, and other services (communications or transportation infrastructure).
Residents may find street lighting and traffic signals are temporarily disabled. Debris carried by the rapid inundation may result in injury of death, destroyed structures and facilities and damage to transportation systems .
Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development Population in the inundation zone may choose to move out of the City or out of the inundation area if the impacts of dam failure are great enough. Those renting homes within the City (61% of households within the City) have little control over the rebuilding process of a home that has been affected by inundation and, therefore, may be forced to move out of the inundation area or out of the City.
Dam failure is unlikely to affect land use and development because the development review process will take steps to mitigate or minimize flood-related impacts. Areas inundated within the City would not be significantly altered, requiring changes in land use and development patterns
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Drought
Physical Threat
Since the primary threat from drought is reduced water supply and availability, there are no foreseeable threats to any of the City’s physical assets. It is possible that any water delivery infrastructure not used or used less than usual may fall into some degree of disrepair if maintenance is deferred. Lower water pressures may cause some aged water pipes to release rust particles into the water supply. Amenities within facilities, like water features and landscaping, could be affected by reduced watering. If dead or dying vegetation becomes a nuisance, the City may have to replace or retrofit locations affected.
Social Threat
Droughts are unlikely to cause serious social threats to households in Pasadena, though residents and business owners in the City may experience financial impacts associated with water conservation efforts. Those with less access to financial resources, such as low-income households or seniors, could be harder hit if higher water rates or additional fees are imposed during a severe drought event.
Other Threats
A typical drought is not anticipated to lead to any outages in service in Pasadena.
However, an exceptional drought may lead to restricted water use for residents or businesses in the City. Trees that are not adequately adapted to lower irrigation levels could perish, altering the City’s aesthetic appearance and long-term air quality. Any open spaces with extensive lawns may start to die, turning brown, which could discourage residents from using these parks and open spaces. In addition, long-term drought conditions can change and reduce soil’s ability to absorb water. When this occurs, water runoff from these areas may increase, which could cause downstream flooding and erosion in some areas.
Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development Droughts occur periodically (primarily during the Summer/Fall months) and generally do not affect populations to the degree that they would need to migrate in and out of the City. The anticipated population growth in Pasadena is unlikely to have any significant effect on population growth.
It is unlikely that drought will affect land use and development because the development review process will take steps to mitigate or minimize the impacts and vulnerability of drought in Pasadena.
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Earthquake
Physical Threat
Seismic Shaking
Many physical assets in the City are estimated to experience the same seismic shaking intensity, ranging from 85 to 95% (shaking intensity in relation to the earth’s gravity).
Therefore, all facilities could be damaged during a significant seismic event, which would be extremely costly for the City. If all facilities were damaged at the same time during a seismic shaking event, it can be assumed that the City would incur a percentage of the maximum potential loss of its physical assets. Assuming 20% of the City’s assets are impacted, this potential loss could amount to over $252 million.
Underground physical assets, like pipelines or utilities, could be damaged if seismic shaking were strong enough to cause a rupture. In such a scenario, natural gas and water delivery service to Pasadena homes and businesses would be incapacitated until repairs are completed. Table 5-5 displays these potential scenarios and losses that could incur should shaking reach the described threshold. Figure 5-7 displays the CFs and FOCs within the City’s seismic shaking potential hazard zones.
Table 5-5: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (Seismic)
Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities
- Concern
Total Potential
Loss**
Government Operations, Modular 18 13 $459,064,100
Emergency Operations (Police, Fire) 11 0 $76,963,985
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure,
Pressure Reducing Systems
57 0 $88,266,275
Recreational, Cultural, Community
Centers
5 37 $628,752,079
Residential (City Owned) 16 0 $8,052,934
Total 107 50 $1,261,099,373
* Potential loss data are estimates only, as replacement values for some facilities were not available. Actual losses may be greater than the estimate presented in this table.
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** Based on the City of Pasadena insured replacement values
Figure 5-7: Earthquake Threat Map with City infrastructure
Subsidence
Subsidence can influence both the built and natural environment. Because water lines are gravity-driven, a change in elevation due to subsidence could make the system more inefficient. Structures built in areas that experience subsidence may require retrofitting or relocation. Subsidence could also irreversibly decrease an aquifer’s capacity to store water. Table 5-6 shows 107 CF, and 50 FOC could be affected by land subsidence in the City, resulting in a loss of almost $1,261,099,373. Figure 5-8 displays the CFs and FOC within the City’s land subsidence hazard zones.
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Table 5-6: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (Land Subsidence) Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities
- Concern
Total Potential
Loss**
Government Operations, Modular 18 13 $459,064,100
Emergency Operations (Police, Fire) 11 0 $76,963,985
Water and Wastewater Infrastructure,
Pressure Reducing Systems
57 0 $88,266,275
Recreational, Cultural, Community
Centers
5 37 $628,752,079
Residential (City Owned) 16 0 $8,052,934
Total 107 50 $1,261,099,373
* Potential loss data are estimates only, as replacement values for some facilities were not available. Actual losses may be greater than the estimate presented in this table. ** Based on the City insured replacement values
Social Threat
The risk of a seismic event is a danger to all groups in Pasadena though some are more threatened than others.
Seismic Shaking
Seniors, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities are more threatened by seismic shaking since they may have limited mobility and may be unable to reach shelter in time. Even if these groups reach shelter in time, they may find themselves trapped if furniture or building components have fallen around them. Renters and low-income people are also more threatened by seismic shaking since these groups may live in homes that are not properly retrofitted to survive the stresses of a seismic event. These groups may not be able to absorb the costs associated with repairing their homes or looking for new housing should their existing one be too damaged for occupancy. Table CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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5-7 displays the threatened populations in Pasadena associated the seismic shaking scenarios.
Subsidence
While subsidence can cause significant issues with physical infrastructure, many of the social impacts can be related to where people live and work. Subsidence can impact the safety of homes and businesses. Buildings could gradually sink due to subsidence, causing minor issues such as cracks or misalignments of doors and windows or more costly problems such as sinkholes. These issues could impact residents living in older homes, which may not have been built with foundations reinforced with steel. Because insurance companies may not cover damages caused by subsidence or other geologic hazards, lower-income households may find it financially difficult to cope with subsidence. Table 4-26 displays the populations characteristics of those in Pasadena threatened by land subsidence. Approximately 80% of the City’s residents live in an area with land subsidence and share similarities with the demographics of the entire City.
Other Threats
Seismic Shaking
With early earthquake warning systems becoming operational, it can be expected that utilities will take advantage of these advance warnings to shut off gas, water, and power transmission to control any potential leaks following the seismic shaking. Authorities may have enough time to halt the use of infrastructure or move workers to safe locations away from hazardous conditions. Workers could cease their activity and take shelter until they can be safely evacuated. Therefore, all services could be non- operational during the shaking event and remain inactive until authorities are confident that it is safe to reactivate utilities and return employees to their workplaces. The length of this time would vary depending on the magnitude of the event. A significant earthquake would likely put utilities out of commission and halt any employment activity in the City for a few hours or several days. The City and the region would experience reduced economic activity during the outage period, which would not be felt for weeks, months, or years later. Structures such as telephone poles or power transmission towers felled by the shaking could block roadways and prevent emergency response teams from reaching victims or evacuees who need assistance.
Subsidence
If subsidence occurred in Pasadena, causing impacts to homes and businesses, the City would need to identify the locations of impact and potential triggering event.
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gas) is likely to be impacted during a subsidence event. As a result, the areas impacted by these effects could experience a loss of City services and potential congestion if roadways are impacted.
Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development Seismic Shaking
It is not anticipated that population patterns will change over the next 20 years. While this may also be true concerning land use and development, if a strong earthquake impacts the City, there is the potential that older structures may be impacted more severely than newer structures in the City.
Subsidence
Although subsidence is being monitored throughout the City, its effects happen very slowly, and the impacts cause minor damage to structures that can be repaired.
Because of this, subsidence is unlikely to cause changes in population patterns as well as land use and development. The City’s development review process will identify steps to mitigate or prevent future subsidence.
Extreme Weather (Severe Winds, Extreme Heat, Severe Rainstorms) Physical Threat
Severe Winds
Intense winds likely present the greatest threat to physical structures, particularly from trees or branches that fall on buildings/vehicles, causing substantial damage. Older structures that have deferred maintenance or have not been retrofitted for high wind conditions may suffer greater damage than newer/updated structures. Utility lines and wooden utility poles face an elevated threat from wind, as do buildings without reinforced roofs. Often utility poles and trees suffer impacts during high wind events if they occur after a significant rain event. During these events, saturated soils around the base of the tree/pole may be unable to hold up to the strains placed on it by strong winds causing it to fall over.
Trees, tree branches, and other objects have the potential to fall on powerlines and other electrical infrastructure during a severe windstorm, causing power outages throughout the City. Another physical threat of severe wind is wildfire impacts during the summer months.
Extreme Heat
Extremely high temperatures can cause roads to deform and buckle as the pavement expands in the heat, especially in areas that have not been maintained well. Power lines CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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and other electrical grid components become less effective in higher temperatures and may be damaged due to stress during extreme heat events. Urban heat islands occur when natural land cover is replaced with concentrations of pavement, buildings, or other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. Buildings with dark pavement will absorb more heat than surfaces with vegetation or lighter materials that are better at reflecting the sun’s energy. This urban heat island effect is strongest during the summer when solar radiation is strongest.
Severe Rainstorms
Physical threats associated with severe rainstorms are similar in nature to those identified in the Flood discussion below.
Social Threat
Severe Wind
Severe wind events can harm people throughout Pasadena but have a greater effect on the safety of people experiencing homelessness and those working outdoors.
Populations that work outside or have respiratory illnesses may be impacted by severe wind events as they can generate dust and other contaminants that can affect the health of residents and workers. Lower-income residents, who may not have the financial resources to purchase homes (or are renting homes) that are not built or retrofitted to withstand powerful winds, could also have difficulty recovering from wind events.
Extreme Heat
Whereas a heat event can be relatively harmless for those with a reliable means of staying hydrated and cool, the event can be deadly for others. Young children, the elderly, or people suffering from serious medical conditions are physiologically more vulnerable to heatstroke. Some senior citizens also take medicines that can make it harder for their bodies to maintain a safe internal temperature, creating an additional threat from extreme heat events. Young children may not be aware of the signs of dehydration or ways of protecting themselves from heatstroke.
People living in homelessness are at a high risk of health complications during heat waves, especially if they are unsheltered. According to Pasadena homelessness count, in 2025, there were approximately 556 individuals experiencing homelessness in the City, with 57% percent unsheltered. This population is very vulnerable to heatstroke during a heatwave, especially if they cannot reach a cooling center.
Sudden spikes in heat can catch people by surprise. Stores can rapidly sell out of fans, air-conditioning units, or drinking water during a heatwave. Many lower-income CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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households live in older, poorly insulated, and energy-inefficient housing and cannot afford to run their air conditioning, which can be further compounded by the threat of power outages due to heat/rolling blackouts. During these events, extreme heat impacts may affect larger portions of the City and populations that would not be viewed as vulnerable under normal circumstances.
Sever Rainstorm
Social threats associated with sever rainstorms are similar in nature to those identified in the Flood discussion below. The following populations are most vulnerable to severe weather:
• Households with financial instability.
• Persons that spend an extended amount of time outdoors. • Persons with existing health conditions or limited mobility. • Persons with language barriers and citizenship uncertainty. • Persons living in mobile homes.
• Overcrowded households.
Other Threats
Severe Wind
Southern California and the City all suffer from seasonal Santa Ana Winds and will for the near future. Extreme wind events can worsen other risks, such as wildfires.
Extreme Heat
Extreme Heat for any length of time can also affect other hazards and risks within the City. For example, it can create a spike in electricity demand leading to power loss/failure, food insecurities, and a rise in vector-borne disease transmission. Coupled with extreme wind, it can cause or spread urban fires and jeopardize additional neighborhoods/ communities.
Severe Rainstorm
Other threats associated with sever rainstorms are similar in nature to those identified in the Flood discussion below. Severe rain can lead to debris flows in wildfire affected areas of the City and cause significant property damage to areas of the City.
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Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development Severe Wind
Severe winds occur periodically (primarily during the Fall months) and generally do not affect populations to the degree that they would need to migrate in and out of the City.
It is unlikely that severe wind will affect land use and development because the development review process will take steps to mitigate or minimize the impacts of severe wind. There is the potential that older structures in the northern part of the City may be impacted more severely than newer structures in the southern part of the City.
The northern part of the City has overhead powerlines and mature trees, and older structures may not comply with current building codes.
Extreme Heat
Based on the recent update to TOP 2050 (General Plan), it is not anticipated that population patterns will change over the next 20 years. There could be minor changes in population patterns due to extreme heat if people cannot continue to live in older structures with limited insulation and older cooling units.
It is unlikely that extreme heat will affect land use and development because the development review process will take steps to mitigate or minimize impacts from extreme heat. While it is unlikely that extreme heat will affect land use and development, it is possible that additional investment in older parts of the City will occur to modify structures to handle these conditions.
Severe Rainstorm
Severe rainstorms occur periodically (primarily during the winter months) and generally do not affect populations to the degree that they would need to migrate in and out of the City. However, in rare circumstances, there may be the need to evacuate households for a short period of time until the flooding recedes.
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Flooding
Physical Threat
No portions of the City are located within the 100-year flood zone (1.0% Annual Chance of Flooding) and the 500-year flood zone (0.2% Annual Chance of Flooding). Although not a “priority” hazard, it is worth to note aspects of the Flood hazard. Flooding in the City of Pasadena is generally related to urban flooding, not riverine flooding. Although the City has gone through several flood events in which properties have experienced repetitive loss, there are no properties that fall under the NFIP definition of Repetitive Loss Properties. The City of Pasadena has two (2) repetitive loss properties, both residential properties. One property has two (2) claims and is located on the southern boundary of Eaton Canyon Park; the other property has three (3) claims and is located just west of the Rose Bowl.
Any physical assets within these mapped boundaries can potentially be inundated if enough precipitation falls, exceeding the storm drain infrastructure design capacity in these areas. Electronic or mechanical equipment on the ground could be impacted causing it to fail. Table 5-8 identifies that one (1) physical asset within the City is located in the 100-year flood zone. Table 5-8 - 5-9 identifies 3 physical assets within the City located in the 500- year flood zone. In total, these facilities are valued at over $12 million. Figure 5-9 depicts the locations of CFs and FOCs located in FEMA- designated flood zones, which include the 100-Year Flood Hazard (blue), 500-Year Flood Hazard (orange), and Areas with Reduced Flood Risk Due to Levee (yellow).
Table 5-8: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (100-Year Flood) Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities
- Concern
Total Potential
Loss**
Government Operations Emergency
Operations
1 0 $10,000,000-
Recreational, Cultural, Community
Centers
0 0 0-
Total 1 0 $10,000,000-
* Based on the City of Pasadena insured replacement values * Percentages are estimates only, as exact values for some statistics were not available.
Actual percentages might be greater than the estimate presented in this table.
Table 5-9: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (500-Year Flood) CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities
- Concern
Total Potential
Loss**
Government Operations, Emergency
Operations
1 0 $10,000,000
Recreational, Cultural, Community
Centers
0 2 $2,000,000
Total 0 0 $12,000,000
* Based on the City of Pasadena insured replacement values * Percentages are estimates only, as exact values for some statistics were not available.
Actual percentages might be greater than the estimate presented in this table.
Figure 5-9: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern in FEMA Flood Zones
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Social Threat
Floodwaters in both the 100-year zone and the 500-year zone are anticipated to rise to a depth of no more than one foot above the base flood elevation. Flooding of this type would likely inundate curb cuts and sidewalks to some extent. People who walk or bike as their primary form of transportation may encounter difficulties if they do not have access to an alternative means of transportation. Seniors, persons with disabilities, and low-income persons are also likely to be impacted during these events. Figure 5-9 shows the proportion of Pasadena’s vulnerable populations that face a greater threat from a flood event. Based on the information in Table 5-10, the median household income in both the 100-year and 500-year flood zones is higher than the citywide average.
Persons experiencing homelessness who are outside during flood conditions may experience property damage or be unable to access shelter. Though floodwaters in Pasadena are not expected to exceed a depth of one foot in many areas, six inches (6 in.) of floodwater may render any makeshift structures uninhabitable during a flood event. Possessions such as sleeping bags or electronic devices may be damaged or swept away by these floodwaters.
Additionally, the 2022 Vulnerability Assessment has identified the following populations as flood-threatened populations:
• Households with financial instability.
• Persons that spend an extended amount of time outdoors. • Persons with existing health conditions or limited mobility. • Persons with language barriers and citizenship uncertainty. • Persons living in mobile homes.
• Overcrowded households.
Other Threats
Flooding may temporarily stop any type of transportation in the City. Debris from floodwaters can block roadways, hinder vehicle access, and potentially affect emergency response services. One foot of rushing water is enough to carry small vehicles, depending on the velocity. A severe flood situation may prevent people who own smaller vehicles from driving to work, leading to reduced economic activity. Severe flooding that causes serious damage to homes and businesses may also reduce economic activity until repair work is completed.
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Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development It is unlikely that flooding will affect land use and development patterns in affected areas because the median income in impacted areas is higher than the City average.
Additionally, the development review process ensures flood related impacts are mitigated or minimized.
Table 5-10: Flood-Threatened Populations
Threatened Population Metric Flood Hazard City
Population 4500 144,388
Households 1,700 57,226
Median household income $134,981 $76,264
Renter Occupied Households 3% 10%
Percentage of households with at least one person
living with a disability
3% 9.4%
Percentage of households living under the poverty
limit
4.83% 13.8%
Percentage of households with one-member aged
65+
9.1%
* Percentages are estimates only, as exact values for some statistics were not available.
Actual percentages might be greater than the estimate presented in this table. ** Based on the City insured replacement values
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Public Health Incidents: Pandemics, Epidemics
Physical Threat
Public Health events will not harm buildings or infrastructure within the City. However, the regional or global nature of public health incidents might incur indirect costs through personnel death and disease, absenteeism, and reduced efficiency. Public health incidents will likely threaten the city’s administrative and facilities operations, whereas automated services and infrastructure itself will not be significantly impacted.
Social Threat
Pandemics can overwhelm healthcare systems, creating shortages of medical supplies and causing significant morbidity and mortality. In addition to the physical health impacts such as respiratory distress, organ failure, and long-term complications for survivors, healthcare workers face an increased risk due to their exposure to infected individuals.
Beyond these immediate health impacts, pandemics disrupt daily life, leading to school closures, business interruptions, and economic downturns. The psychological toll on individuals and communities can be profound, with increased levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. These factors contribute to changes in population, influencing migration patterns, birth rates, and mortality rates, thereby altering the demographic landscape.
Fire
Physical Threat
Wildland Fire
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has mapped Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (VHFHSZ) within the City’s Local Responsibility Area (LRA). The LRA is a government-designated area where a local agency, City, or county, NOT the State, is responsible for fire protection. An SRA is the opposite, where the State has responsibility for wildland fire protection. Figure 5-10 identifies these zones and the City’s CFs and FOCs within the area. All structures within this fire zone are at an elevated risk of wildfire impacts.
All structures located within this zone are at an elevated risk of wildfire impacts. Table 5- 11 identifies 4 CFs and 7 FOC within the wildfire hazard zone, resulting in a potential loss of approximately $145 million based on available replacement values. Additional losses associated with the loss of homes and schools in these areas could also occur resulting in a significant amount of cost.
While these areas have a high degree of vulnerability to wildfire, other areas of the City may also be susceptible to ember cast. These areas, typically referred to as the WUI CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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(Wildland Urban Interface), are vulnerable if the right conditions exist. Typically, the WUI is impacted if adequate fuels are combined with dry conditions and strong winds.
Sometimes, the ignition of a wildfire may occur if power lines around overgrown trees cause a spark and catch the tree on fire.
Table 5-11: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (Wildfire) Category
# of
Facilities
- Critical
# of
Facilities
- Concern
Total Potential
Loss**
Government Operations, Emergency
Operations
4 4 $130,424,000
Recreational, Cultural, Community
Centers
0 3 $15,000,000
Residential (City owned) 0 0 $0
Total 4 7 $145,424,389
* Based on the City insured replacement values
*Percentages are estimates only, as exact values for some statistics were not available.
Actual percentages might be greater than the estimate presented in this table.
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Figure 5-10: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (2025 Map has not been adopted by City Council)
Urban Fire
Structures and physical assets in Pasadena that are not equipped with fire suppression technology or design features that mitigate fire vulnerability are at risk of fire. Generally, these buildings are older, may not be well maintained, or may not meet current code requirements and regulations. While all structures can be impacted by urban fire, older structures may have increased vulnerability to this hazard. Power lines located around overgrown trees, where the tree crown envelops part or all the power lines, are also at risk of catching fire. When the wires overheat, they may ignite a fire in the tree, spread back to the power lines themselves, and burn the power line infrastructure.
Underground utilities, like water delivery systems, residential electrical systems, or natural gas pipelines, are not threatened by the occurrence of fire since any urban fires that emerge in Pasadena are likely to occur on the surface.
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Figure 5-11: Critical Facilities and Facilities of Concern (Previous adopted fire hazard map)
Social Threat
A fire hazard most immediately threatens seniors and persons with disabilities. These groups may have limited mobility and reduced environmental awareness. For example, a senior who lives alone may not be aware that a fire has been ignited in their house until the room begins to fill with smoke or even flashover, at which point escape may be more difficult or impossible. Therefore, a fire that starts in or spreads to any senior residences in Pasadena could be highly threatening to those populations. Persons with disabilities may require special mobility devices or caregiver assistance to go outside, which may not be readily available if a fire occurs. Other groups with increased threat levels include lower- income persons and renters. These persons may live in substandard housing with outdated materials known to be flammable. Renters and lower-income persons may also live in housing units with improperly designed or
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maintained electrical or heating systems that could lead to a fire. Additionally, these groups may not possess enough financial resources to rebuild their homes or search for new homes after a fire occurs.
Other Threats
Fires can consume power lines and force utility operators to shut off electrical and gas transmission activity, leading to utility outages in Pasadena homes and businesses. Any streets surrounded by blazes or blocked by burning debris would hinder transportation, prevent people from evacuating, and block emergency response crews from reaching the source of the fire. Anyone living at the end of a cul-de-sac faces an elevated threat of being trapped if the fire occurs or spreads in a way that blocks evacuation. Fires that destroy trees or vegetation (especially within parks and open space areas) could limit or prevent the use of these areas, affecting future recreational opportunities for residents.
Outreach to residents and businesses to help them understand and prepare for these future events will become an important aspect of the City’s overall hazard mitigation strategy.
Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development If a large urban fire were to occur, it is feasible that changes in population patterns could occur. Land use and development patterns could change if a large urban fire were to occur that impacted older parts of the City. After that type of event, the City would rely on a redevelopment process to determine how best to rebuild.
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Human-Caused Hazards
Physical Threat
Air Quality
Air pollution exposure is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells, which may lay a foundation for chronic diseases and cancer. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified air pollution as a human carcinogen. Short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac problems, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions.
Air pollution and climate change affect each other through complex interactions in the atmosphere. Air pollution is intricately linked with climate change because both problems come largely from the same sources, such as emissions from burning fossil fuels. Both are threats to people’s health and the environment worldwide.
Civil Disturbance
A civil disturbance, depending on the cause and effect, could have a considerable impact on the population, built environment, lifeline infrastructure, economy, and the environment. Downtown Los Angeles is a frequent site of demonstrations due to its high profile and presence of government buildings. It is conceivable that a demonstration could turn to violence and begin spreading into neighboring communities. While the City does not have a history of riots, it also has a high profile and has several events which attract large crowds. This coupled with increased causes creating disharmony within society may provide opportunities for some individuals.
Cyber Attack
A significant cyber event could have considerable impact on the population, built environment, lifeline infrastructure, environment, environment, and the economy. Most jurisdictions have several levels of security in place, dependent upon security levels of individuals and the geographical locations (onsite or remote). Many also have redundant dispatch centers with separate systems that can function if the primary center isn’t functioning.
A cyber-attack can infiltrate many institutions including banking, medical, education, government, military, and communication and infrastructure systems. The majority of effective malicious cyber- activity has become web based. Recent trends indicate that hackers are targeting users to steal personal information and targeting computers to cause system failures. The duration of a cyber-attack is dependent on the complexity of the attack, how widespread it is, how quickly the attack is detected, and the resources CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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available to aid in restoring the system. A cyber-attack could be geared toward one organization, one type of infrastructure and/or a specific geographical area. The affected area could range from small to large scale. Cyber-attacks generated toward large corporations can negatively affect the economy. A 2014 report from the MacAfee Corporation stated that the annual global loss to the global economy is between $375B and $500B. Attacks geared toward critical infrastructure and hospitals can result in the loss of life and the loss of basic needs, such as power and water, to the public. Cyber- attacks can lead to the loss of operational capacity.
Hazardous Materials Release (Pipeline Failure, Oil Spill, Transportation Incident) Hazardous materials can cause damage to physical assets in Pasadena if they are released into the environment. Corrosive hazardous materials can damage the exteriors of buildings or structures. Flammable hazardous materials can be ignited and cause damage to nearby structures. Generally, sites closer to the origin of the release of the hazardous materials are more at risk than those further away.
The total potential losses associated with these assets are over $59 million based on replacement costs.
Transportation incidents typically threaten infrastructure like roadways, bridges, and utilities that may be adjacent or co-located with these facilities. Depending on the nature of the event surrounding structures and uses may also be impacted; however, to what degree is difficult to identify at this time. While many incidents within the City may be considered minor, if one were to occur at a key intersection or interchange, traffic, and commerce within the affected area could be impacted significantly for hours or days, depending on the severity of the incident.
Power Outage
Energy shortage/outages (disruptions) are considered a form of lifeline system failure and could have a significant impact on the population, built environment, infrastructure, and the economy. Disruptions can be the consequence of another hazard, or can be the primary hazard, absent of an outside trigger. Pasadena and Southern California as a whole have experienced a population growth, coupled with changes to daily lifestyles and weather have contributed to a heavy demand for power over recent years.
There are two (2) factors to consider: 1) increased demand within the City; and 2) increased demand elsewhere. Because Pasadena is connected to the Southern Californian Edison (Edison) power grid, increases in other parts of the state could curtail the energy available to Pasadena. This vulnerability is compounded by the reality that our communities have become more reliant on power for gadgets and appliances to perform basic daily activities. This loss of power will not only be an inconvenience but CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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could become a life-threatening experience. Many citizens rely on power to operate medical machinery to survive (i.e., oxygen tanks, dialysis machines).
Climate change considerations indicate that as the weather conditions change, there could be an increase in energy needs. This could be from both potential increase in heat and cold. These predicted increases will put ever greater strain on Pasadena’s energy supply.
Terrorism
There is no way to predict which of Pasadena’s facilities or assets may be impacted by an act of terrorism since the motivation behind the incident is often complex and not easily understood. Generally, these incidents occur at places of political, economic, or cultural importance. If the perpetrator's motives are to shut down City or regional government activity for a period, they may instead target pieces of infrastructure, like water systems, utility delivery systems, or transportation networks. The financial losses that may result from this type of incident would depend on the degree of destruction associated with the activity. If the incident involves the destruction of physical assets, the cost to the City or property owners in Pasadena could be significant.
Social Threat
Air Quality
Air pollution exposure is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in human cells, which may lay a foundation for chronic diseases and cancer. In 2013, the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization (WHO) classified air pollution as a human carcinogen. Many studies have established that short-term exposure to higher levels of outdoor air pollution is associated with reduced lung function, asthma, cardiac problems, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions. Mortality rates related to air pollution are also a concern. Exposure to the air pollutant PM2.5 is associated with an increased risk of death. Public health concerns related to high air pollution exposures include cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders.
Civil Disturbance
Since civil disturbance events can occur anywhere in the City, all groups are potentially threatened by the impacts of these incidents; however, the extent of the threat would be much greater to businesses. For example, in May of 2020, the George Floyd protest turned into civil disturbance and impacted hundreds of businesses in Southern California. Additionally, there have been isolated incidents of individuals ransacking businesses around the Country.
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Cyber Security Incident
Cities like Pasadena are an attractive target for criminals and cyber threat actors to exploit vulnerable systems to steal critical infrastructure data and proprietary information, conduct ransomware operations, or launch destructive cyberattacks.
Successful cyberattacks against cities could lead to disruption of infrastructure services, significant financial losses, exposure of citizens’ private data, erosion of citizens’ trust in the smart systems themselves, and physical impacts to infrastructure that could cause physical harm or loss of life.
Hazardous Materials Release (Pipeline Failure, Transportation Accidents, Oil Spills) The threat of a hazardous materials release event affects those closest to a source of hazardous materials, including industrial sites, gas stations, gas transmission lines, sewer mains, and transportation incidents that produce hazardous material spills. Table 4-14 shows the city’s vulnerable populations living within 500 feet of a hazardous materials storage/waste site. The median household income in these locations is almost $25,000 less than the rest of the city. This suggests that lower-income populations may be living near locations that store or use hazardous materials. Pasadena residents living next to major transportation infrastructure such as highways or major roadways also face a greater risk of being affected by a hazardous materials release if vehicles transporting these materials accidentally release their contents into the environment.
Groups such as the elderly, low-income, and renters face a greater risk of exposure since they may not have the financial resources necessary to retrofit their homes against infiltration by hazardous materials or relocate to a home farther from the potential sources of hazardous materials.
Residents and businesses located near major transportation infrastructure may be at greater risk of impact from these types of incidents. For residents that rely on the transportation network to get to work, any closures or impacts to that network could have a negative impact on their daily lives and well-being. At the same time, businesses could be impacted if employees and customers are unable to reach their place of business due to an incident. While many incidents would be short-term, reducing impacts to the community, if a significant issue were to occur, the impacts could be longer, which could have economic impacts for both residents and businesses.
Power Outage
Power outages most immediately threaten seniors, persons with disabilities, and those with home medical equipment. These groups often face the greatest threat during a power outage, during extreme heat.
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Terrorism
Since mass casualty incidents/acts of terrorism could occur anywhere in Pasadena, all groups are potentially threatened by the impacts of these incidents; however, the extent of the threat would depend upon the type and magnitude of the event. For example, an active shooter situation may be isolated to a single location, whereas a larger-scale incident may affect multiple locations. Some locations are more likely to be targeted than others, including but not limited to medical facilities, government buildings, financial institutions that frequently visit these areas may face a greater threat than the average person. Seniors, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities, for instance, are more likely to frequently visit the local hospitals than other subpopulations in the city. If an incident occurs at the hospital or within the community (overwhelming hospital resources), these groups are expected to face an increased impact from the incident.
An incident that occurs at a government building or financial institution may be more likely to threaten seniors or lower-income individuals that rely on in-person transactions in place of online options. As such, their use of these in-person services may place them in harm’s way. An incident at Pasadena City Hall or bank locations in the City can be expected to be more of a threat to these groups. Seniors and persons with limited income may be challenged if there is a need to shelter in place or evacuate during an incident requiring additional services, assistance, and/or medical treatment.
Changes in Population Patterns and Land Use and Development The hazards identified under human-caused hazards will not affect population patterns or land use and development, as no connection can be drawn between these hazards and changes in population patterns or land use and development.
It is not anticipated that population patterns will change over the next 20 years. A change in population pattern would only occur if a hazardous materials release was severe enough to require people to move for a prolonged period of time due to soil contamination.
It is unlikely that hazardous materials release will affect land use and development because the development review process will take steps to mitigate or minimize impacts from a hazardous materials release event. Locations that store, produce, and dispose of hazardous materials are highly regulated within the City and monitored regularly.
Through this process, as well as the development review process, it is not anticipated that land use and development patterns will change.
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SECTION 6: MITIGATION STRATEGY
Federal regulations require local mitigation plans to identify goals for reducing long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards in the planning area (Section 201.6(c)(3)(i)).
A hazard mitigation plan’s primary focus is the mitigation strategy. It represents the efforts selected by the City to reduce or prevent losses resulting from the hazards identified in the risk assessment. The strategy includes mitigation actions and projects to address the risk and vulnerabilities discovered in the risk assessment. The mitigation strategy consists of the following steps:
• Identify and profile hazards and risk within the City • Identify projects and activities that can prevent or mitigate damage and injury to the population and buildings
• Develop a mitigation strategy to implement the mitigation actions • Develop an action plan to prioritize, implement, and administer the mitigation actions
• Implement the LHMP mitigation action plan
A capability assessment was conducted of City authorities, policies, programs, and resources. Based upon this assessment and the hazard analysis and risk assessment, goals, and mitigation actions were developed. The planning team also developed a process to prioritize, implement, and administer the mitigation actions to reduce risk to existing facilities and new development
6.1 Hazard Mitigation Statement
The 2025 LHMP represents the City’s commitment to create a safer, more resilient community by taking actions to reduce risk and by committing resources to lessen the effects of hazards on the people and property of the city.
6.2 Hazard Mitigation Goals and Objectives
Mitigation goals are guidelines that represent what the community wants to accomplish through the mitigation plan. Goals are broad statements that represent a long-term, community-wide vision. The planning team reviewed the example goals and objectives from the previous LHMP and determined which goals best met the City’s objectives for mitigation. In addition to the overarching hazard mitigation goals, the City worked to CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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develop the strategies aligned with the CIP and other planning mechanisms that relate to hazard mitigation. Overall, mitigation priorities did not change for the City of Pasadena, the city continues to be very concerned about wildfire and earthquake risks.
The 2025 LHMP was revised to focus on the communities’ priorities as they relate to Climate Change, Wild/Urban Fire, and their commitment to involving vulnerable populations to the planning process. Table 6-1 lists the goals for the 2020 LHMP .
Table 6-1: Hazard Mitigation Goals
2025 Goals
Goal 1: Protect life and property, and reduce potential injuries from natural, technological, and human-caused hazards
Goal 2: Improve public understanding, support of, and need for hazard mitigation measures
Goal 3: Promote disaster resilience for the City’s natural, existing, and future built environment
Goal 4: Strengthen partnerships and collaboration to implement hazard mitigation activities
Goal 5: Enhance the City’s ability to effectively and immediately respond to disasters
6.3 Mitigation Actions/Projects and Implementation Strategy Mitigation actions are specific activities or projects that serve to meet the goals that the community has identified. Mitigation actions and projects are more specific than goals or objectives and often include a mechanism, such as an assigned timeframe, to measure the success and ensure the actions are accomplished. The planning team conducted a review of the mitigation actions and strategies from the State Hazard Mitigation Plan and from other cities’ planning efforts to develop new mitigation actions and projects to reduce the effects of hazards, with emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure.
The requirements for prioritization of mitigation actions, as provided in the federal regulations implementing the Stafford Act as amended by DMA 2000, are described below.
Based on these criteria, the City prioritized potential mitigation projects and included them in the action plan discussed below in Table 6-3. The mitigation action plan CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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developed by the planning team includes the action items that the City intends to implement during the next five (5) years, assuming funding availability. The action plan includes the implementing department, an estimate of the timeline for implementation, and potential funding sources.
6.4 Previous Mitigation Actions/Projects Assessment
The 2018 HMP contained 62 mitigations actions. Many of the mitigation actions were completed or carried out to some degree or are considered ongoing. Some of the mitigation actions were duplicative, others were better categorized as emergency preparedness or recovery activities, and others were either not addressed during the time period or were not feasible to accomplish. Table 6-2 provides the status of mitigation actions from the 2018 HMP.
Table 6-2: 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan Mitigation Action Status # Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
1 Make the City Local Hazard Mitigation Plan available
on the website
Completed
3 Establish and conduct annual employee training on
privacy and security policies and incident response
procedures.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan. #5
4 Develop a policy to ensure the City's LHMP is
reviewed during the development of capital
improvement plans.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan. #3
5 Upgrade Traffic Signal, Street Lighting Poles, and
Systems citywide to meet or exceed modern loading
requirements.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan
6 Seismic Retrofit of City-owned Essential Buildings,
including Fire Stations and Evacuation Centers.
Planned
7 Develop a policy to ensure the annual review of
potential landslide areas in the City of Pasadena.
Planned
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# Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
8 Develop a Public Outreach Plan geared towards
providing hazard education, emergency management,
and mitigation action activities.
Completed
9 Review and revise the Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP) to reflect response and recovery Concept of
Operations best practices
Completed
10 Purchase supplies, equipment, and other resources to enable critical facilities identified in the EOP to be able to function as needed
Completed
11 Review area-wide evacuation plans/routes to identify changes and determine if changes need to be
incorporated in the City Emergency Operations Plan
(EOP) and/or Evacuation Plan
Completed
12 Develop a Disaster Communications Plan Completed
13 Develop an EOP scenario-based Annex light rail
accident
Completed
14 Develop an EOP scenario-based Annex for active
shooter events
Completed
15 Develop a planning team to work with local school
districts and universities to prepare both scenario-
based and functional-based plans
Completed
16 Develop and adopt a soft-story retrofit ordinance;
possibly administer an implementation program for the
ordinance.
Planned
17 Evaluate and take necessary actions to ensure robust cyber-security of utility infrastructure and protection of critical information systems from cyber-
attacks/incidents.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan #41
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# Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
19 Develop a policy and/or possibly a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the County Department of
Public Works, neighboring jurisdictions, Metrolink, and the California
Completed
20 Department of Transportation to ensure coordination
and maintenance of the emergency transportation
routes
Completed
21 Establish a Disaster Coordination group and establish a regular meeting schedule. Include both public and
private members; and federal, state, county, and local
partners. Part of the duties
will include the review, evaluation, and monitoring of
the LHMP
Planned
22 Provide information to the public regarding hazard
mitigation and emergency planning at events promoted
by the City.
Completed
23 Develop a policy that encourages incorporation or
consideration of vegetation and restoration practices
that assist in enhancing and restoring the natural and
beneficial functions of the watershed when mitigation
against hazards
Completed
24 Develop a policy to ensure the City’s Building Codes are reviewed annually to reflect changes and best
practices in hazard science (flood, earthquake).
Ongoing
25 Develop a Debris Removal Plan. Completed
26 Develop a landslide area building ordinance. Review
local ordinances for building in potential landslide
areas based on proposed development plans and
current environmental conditions
Planned
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# Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
27 Develop an EOP functional-based Annex for
evacuations
Completed
28 Identify City-service, mission critical tasks and develop Business Continuity Plans for each service
Completed
29 Utility infrastructure improvements against earthquake and other hazards including seismic upgrade of power
and water facilities, Sunset reservoir improvements,
and other critical water infrastructure and upgrades and replacements of local generating units.
Completed
31 Integrate the LHMP into the City’s General Plan Completed 32 Integrate hazard mitigation material into public safety information and training programs (e.g. Citizen’s
Academy, Community Emergency Response Team
Program)
Complete
33 Prepare an inventory of major urban drainage
problems and identify causes and potential mitigation
actions for urban drainage problem areas.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan
34 Assess and evaluate critical facilities identified in the EOP
Completed
35 Evaluate and retrofit critical facilities identified in the EOP
Ongoing
36 Develop an EOP scenario-based Annex for terrorist
events
Completed
37 Implement measures to bolster local water supply to
meet demand, create a sustainable water supply, while
meeting environmental mandates.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan #12
38 Seismic Retrofit of City-owned Bridges
Ongoing
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# Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
39 Restoration of habitat, improvements to the
watershed, and enhancement of spreading activities of
water runoff to enhance the flood protection systems
and preserve the natural systems
Completed
40 Evaluate and implement protective measures of critical utility buildings, plants and facilities against natural hazards (fire, flood, windstorm)
Completed
41 Develop and implement a program to develop
Business Continuity Plans of utility mission critical
tasks. Potentially purchase of equipment, mobile
electrical sub-stations, and emergency backup
generators for utility facilities; emergency transmission and distribution system replacements to ensure
continuous functionality after disaster events
Completed
43 Develop a Floodplain Management/Flood Plan. Completed 44 Develop an EOP functional-based Annex for mass
casualties
Completed
45 Develop an EOP functional-based Annex for Mass
Shelter
Completed
46 Develop an EOP scenario-based Annex for civil unrest events
Completed
47 Develop a Dam Mitigation Plan. Completed
48 Develop a Vegetation Management Plan. Planned
49 In accordance with the 2020 Water system Resources
Plan, develop and implement alternative sources of
water to meet Pasadena’s annual water supply (non-
potable water project)
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan #13
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# Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
50 Upgrade the Arroyo Seco stream water intake
structure (Arroyo Secon Canon Project) and
implement the Devil’s Gate Pump back project to
improve our ability to capture more stream water and
to recharge the groundwater basin.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan #11
51 Vegetation management on City lands in the
watershed for water supply enhancement and fire
reduction; Improvements to the Arroyo Seco Canyon;
Azusa Hydro upgrades and replacements; and
rainwater capture and recycling
Completed
52 Develop guidance to provide resources regarding
business continuity planning for local businesses
Planned
53 Evaluate and implement necessary retrofits and
upgrades to the diversion facilities in Arroyo Canyon
Completed
54 Evaluate and implement security and protective
measures of critical utility buildings, plants and
facilities from man-made hazards (terrorist)
Completed
55 Identity the libraries role as a critical facility during response and recovery efforts. Assess the current
facilities and retrofit as needed (i.e., fire systems,
seismic upgrades) to ensure the integrity of library
buildings for use as critical facilities during multi-
hazard events. Purchase equipment, supplies, and
other resources necessary to carry out the intended
role.
Completed
56 Develop a Landslide Management Plan. Ongoing – Added to 2025 Plan #22
57 Raise Park roadways where necessary to improve the
flow of water downstream.
Ongoing – Added to
2025 Plan #27
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# Mitigation Action
Status (Complete,
Ongoing, Planned,
Not Completed)
58 Find an alternate or new EOC location that allows for ease of access during an emergency. Current location
has limitations and safety concerns.
Planned
59 Install earthquake early warning systems o city-owned critical facilities
Planned
60 Develop citywide guidance on mitigation grant
application
Planned
61 Annually review and update Department Emergency
and COOP Plans
Planned
62 Create a volunteer program that will enhance our
community lifeline planning that will bolster our ability to respond to hazards.
Planned
6.4.1 New Mitigation Actions
Mitigation actions are specific activities or projects that serve to meet the goals that the community has identified. Mitigation actions and projects are more specific than goals or objectives and often include a mechanism, such as an assigned time period, to measure the success and ensure the actions are accomplished. The planning team conducted a review of the mitigation actions and strategies from the 2018 HMP. With information from the risk assessment, capability assessment, and status of the actions implemented since the 2018 HMP, the planning team developed 32 new ongoing mitigation actions and projects to reduce the effects of hazards, with emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure.
Table 6-3 lists the initial, potential mitigation actions developed by the planning team.
For each mitigation action, the following information is listed: type of mitigation project; hazard(s) addressed, type of development affected by action; and the source of the mitigation project idea.
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Table 6-3: Potential Mitigation Actions 2025
Goal Action
Item #
Action
Description
Mitigation
Type
Related
Hazards
Implementing
Organizations
Goal 1: Protect
life, property,
and reduce
potential
injuries from
natural caused
hazards
1.1 Assess and
implement
flexible piping
joints at above-
ground storage
reservoirs as
appropriate
Prevention Seismic Operations
1.2 Continue to
identify and
ensure that pipe
specifications
are compatible
with GIS and
earthquake
specifications
Prevention Seismic Operations
1.3 Identify funding
and acquire a
mobile command
and
communications
vehicle
Response All Operations
1.4 Continue to
include back-up
power
Preparedn
ess
Loss of
Power/
PSPS
Operations
6.4.2 Mitigation Action Plan
The mitigation action plan developed by the planning team includes the action items that the City intends to implement during the next five (5) years, assuming funding availability. The action plan, shown in Tables 6-4 to 6-13, includes the implementing department, an estimate of the timeline for implementation, and potential funding sources.
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The new mitigation actions include a broad range of approaches to hazard mitigation such as retrofitting, code enforcement, development of new regulations, public education, development of redundant facilities, and others. Measures are included to mitigate risks to existing buildings and infrastructure, as well as new buildings and infrastructure. The mitigation action plan assigns primary responsibility for each of the action items to an implementing department. The implementing department is the controlling department that will assign funding and oversee activity implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
The planning team does not presume the expertise to prescribe which projects will be implemented. The prioritization of projects in the LHMP is a means to provide a basis for implementing the mitigation strategies, but all new mitigation actions and projects will be formally prioritized and selected by the implementing department. This will accommodate the project funding, schedule of the department, staff requirements, and ability to integrate the new project into existing and ongoing projects. Departments will consider the funding source, the cost-effectiveness of the project, alternative projects, the compatibility of the new project with ongoing projects, the extent to which the project addresses the risks assessed in Section 4, and the potential of economic and social damage.
Prioritization
To assist with implementing the mitigation action plan, the planning team used the following ranking process to provide a method to prioritize the projects for the Action Plan. Designations of High, Medium, and Low priorities have been assigned to each action item using the following criteria.
Does the action
• Solve the problem?
• Address vulnerability assessment?
• Reduce the exposure or vulnerability to the highest priority hazard? • Address multiple hazards?
• Offer benefits that equal or exceed costs?
• Implement a goal, policy, or project identified in the General Plan or Capital Improvement Plan?
Can the action
• Be implemented with existing funds?
• Be implemented by existing state or federal grant programs? CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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• Be completed within the five (5)-year life cycle of the LHMP? Will the action
• Be implemented with currently available technologies? • Be accepted by the community?
• Be supported by community leaders?
• Adversely affect segments of the population or neighborhoods? • Require a change in local ordinances or zoning laws?
• Result in a positive or neutral impact on the environment? • Comply with all local, state, and federal environmental laws and regulations? Is there
• Sufficient staffing to undertake the project?
• Existing authority to undertake the project?
Each positive response is equal to one point. Answers to the criteria above determined the priority according to the following scale:
1–6 = Low priority
7–12 = Medium priority
13–18 = High priority
Benefit-Cost Analysis
Conducting benefit/cost analysis for a mitigation activity can assist the City in determining whether a project is worth undertaking now in order to avoid disaster-related damages later. Cost- effectiveness analysis evaluates how to best spend a given amount of money to achieve a specific goal. Determining the economic feasibility of mitigating hazards can provide decision-makers with an understanding of the potential benefits and costs of an activity, as well as a basis for comparing alternative projects.
Funding
The funds required to implement the mitigation action plan will come from a variety of sources, including Federal Hazard Mitigation Grants, City budget, bonds, fees and assessments, and others. Some projects are (or will be) included in capital improvement budgets, while some, especially ongoing projects, are included in department operating budgets.
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Prior to beginning a project or when federal funding is involved, the implementing department will use a FEMA approved benefit/cost analysis approach to identify the actual costs and benefits of implementing these mitigation actions. For non-structural projects, implementing departments will use other appropriate methods to weigh the costs and benefits of each action item and then develop a prioritized list.
Implementation
Mitigation projects were assigned one of three (3) categories as a tentative schedule for implementation: short-range, mid-range, and long-range. Projects that are currently being implemented by various departments are assigned to the ongoing category.
Implementation of short-range projects will typically begin within the next three (3) years.
Mid-range projects will require some planning and likely require funding beyond what is currently allocated to the various departments in the City’s Operations and Maintenance budget. Projects in the mid-range category will generally begin implementation in the next three (3) to five (5) years. Long-range projects will require great planning and funding and will generally begin implementation within five (5) years and beyond.
Incorporation into Other Plans
The 2025 LHMP will be coordinated with and integrated into the following other planning mechanisms.
• The City EOP contains a list of hazards. The LHMP provides a similar, more detailed description of these hazards. Updates to the LHMP can inform revisions to the EOP. Hazards in both plans should be corroborated. • The American Water Infrastructure Act Risk required Risk and Resiliency Assessment (RRA) and the LHMP both should use the same source data and similar language to describe hazards that are contained in both. Hazard analysis and risk/vulnerability updates to one document should be reviewed for inclusion in both. For the 2021 LHMP, the planning team used portions of the RRA to develop new mitigations actions.
• The City will review the mitigation action plan in the LHMP as it updates its CIP.
Several mitigation actions address facility improvement and resiliency. Grant funding for these projects may support CIP project.
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Table 6-4: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan - Multiple Hazards # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
1 Install energy efficient equipment and harden
emergency backup power at critical facilities
deemed necessary. Prioritize installations for
facilities that serve as key cooling/warming
centers and evacuation centers/shelters.
(Hazards addressed: All)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works $$ 2-5
years
Medium
2 Develop a list of key facilities. Conduct a
feasibility assessment of installing solar and
battery backup systems at critical facilities
within the City.
(Hazards addressed: All)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works $ 2 years Medium
3 Upgrade power and water facilities, to include
Sunset reservoir, to improve resiliency due to
power loss, flooding, and seismic activity.
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Water and
Power
$$$ Ongoing
- Yearly
High
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
4 Initiate a project to develop Business Continuity
Plans for utility mission critical functions. Create
a long-range budget to purchase
emergency/standby equipment such as mobile
electrical sub-stations, and emergency backup
generators for utility facilities; and emergency
transmission and distribution system
replacements to ensure continuous functionality
after disaster events
(Hazard addresses: Power Loss)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
PWP $$$ 2 years High
5 Develop a policy to ensure the City's LHMP is
reviewed during the development of capital
improvement plans/projects.
(Hazards addressed: All)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire $ 1 year Medium
6 Develop a Public Outreach Plan geared
towards providing hazard education, emergency
management, and mitigation action activities.
Create and Integrate hazard mitigation material
into public safety information and training
programs (e.g. Citizen’s Academy, Community
Emergency Response Team Program)
(Hazards addressed: All)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire $ Ongoing
- yearly
Low
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
7 Integrate the LHMP into the City’s General Plan
by complying with AB 2140.
(Hazards addressed: All)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Planning
$ Ongoing
- yearly
Low
8 Develop a policy to ensure the City’s Building
Codes are reviewed annually to reflect changes
and best practices in hazard science
(Hazards Addressed: Flood, Earthquake).
General Fund,
HMGP
Grant
Planning $ 3 years Medium
9 Closely monitor changes in the boundaries of
mapped hazard areas resulting from land use
changes or climate change and adopt new
mitigation actions or revise existing ones to
ensure continued resiliency.
(Hazards addressed: All)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire/
Planning
$ 2 years Medium
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Table 6-5: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Climate Change # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
10 Integrate climate change mitigation and
adaptation information and analysis into future
LHMP updates and others.
(Hazards addressed: Climate Change)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire
$ Ongoing
- Yearly
High
Table 6-6: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Drought # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
11 Upgrade the Arroyo Seco stream water intake
structure (Arroyo Seco Canon Project) and
implement the Devil’s Gate Pump Back project
to improve our ability to capture more stream
water and to recharge the groundwater basin.
(Hazards addressed: Drought)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Water and
Power
$$$ 2 years High
12 Implement measures to bolster local water
supply to meet demand, create a sustainable
water supply, while meeting environmental
mandates.
(Hazards addressed: Drought)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Water and
Power
$$$ 3 years High
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
13 In accordance with the 2020 Water System
Resources Plan, develop and implement
alternative sources of water to meet
Pasadena’s annual water supply (non-potable
water project)
(Hazards addressed: Drought)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Water and
Power
$$ 2 years Medium
14 Develop public messaging about water
conservation to address climate change-
induced drought for posting on websites, social
media, and other platforms.
(Hazards addressed: Drought)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Water and
Power
$ Ongoing
- Yearly
Low
Table 6-7: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Earthquake/Geologic Hazards # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
15 Implement and enforce the soft-story retrofit
ordinance;
(Hazards addressed: Seismic)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Planning $ 2 years Medium
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
16 Conduct an educational campaign, incentivize
and promote medium-scale seismic retrofits,
such as window films to minimize shattering,
anchors for rooftop-mounted equipment,
bracing for masonry chimneys, and other
preventative measures to reduce damage to
private buildings.
(Hazards addressed: Seismic)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Planning $ 2 years Medium
17 Develop a Landslide Management Plan that
identifies areas at risk and mitigation strategies
and develop a policy to ensure the annual
review of potential landslide areas in the City of
Pasadena.
(Hazards addressed: Landslide)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire/
Planning/
Public Works
$ 5 years Low
18 Conduct a seismic analysis of all City-owned
key facilities and retrofit vulnerable facilities.
(Hazards addressed: Seismic)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works
$ Ongoing
- yearly
High
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
19 Seismically retrofit the City main public library. General Fund, HMGP
Grants
Planning/
Public Works/
Library
$$$$ 3 years High
20 Initiate a program to schedule installation of
resilient (seismically appropriate) piping for new
or replacement water distribution pipelines.
(Hazards addressed: Seismic)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Water and
Power
$$$$ Ongoing
- Yearly
High
21 Develop a landslide area building ordinance
that restricts building in hazard prone areas.
Review local ordinances for building in potential
landslide areas based on proposed
development plans and current environmental
conditions.
(Hazards addressed: Landslide)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Planning/
Fire
$ 5 years Low
22 Identify and retrofit key critical facilities with
seismically rated window film treatments that
ensure glass windows do not shatter during a
strong seismic event.
(Hazards addressed: Seismic)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Planning/
Public Works
$$ 5 years High
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Table 6-8: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Flooding # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
23 Investigate the use of permeable paved and
landscaped swales for new construction and
replacement of City-owned hardscaped areas.
[Identify which locations]
(Hazards addressed: Flood)
General Fund,
HMGP
Public Works $$
3 years
Medium
24 Retrofit roadway medians to capture stormwater
during rain events. Prioritize improvements
along major arterials/ roadways throughout the
City.
(Hazards addressed: Flood)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works
$$$ 4 years Medium
25 Prepare an inventory of major urban drainage
problems and identify causes and potential
mitigation actions for urban drainage problem
areas.
(Hazards addressed: Flood)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works
$ 2 years Low
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
26 Raise Park roadways or build culverts where
necessary to improve the flow of water
downstream.
(Hazards addressed: Flood)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants.
Public Works $$$ 3 years Low
27 Track areas where ponding frequently occurs
during heavy rainfall and install new drainage
systems or upgrade existing ones to reduce
water ponding.
(Hazards addressed: Flood)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works $ Ongoing
- yearly
Medium
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Table 6-9: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Extreme Weather (Severe Winds, Extreme Heat, Severe Rainstorms)
# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
28 Remove or trim trees determined to be
susceptible to blowing over during a severe
wind event and underground power lines, where
feasible.
(Hazards addressed: High Winds, Severe
Rainstorm)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Parks/
Public Works
$ Ongoing
- yearly
Medium
29 Increase the use and construction of shade
structures within new developments, City
facilities, parks, and trails to reduce heat
impacts.
(Hazards Addressed: Extreme Heat)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Planning/
Public Works/
Parks
$ Ongoing
- yearly
Medium
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
30 Evaluate the long-term capacity of designated
cooling centers and shelters in the City to
provide sufficient relief from extreme heat.
Assess the need to expand services as the
frequency, length, and severity of future
heatwaves potentially change as a result of
climate change.
(Hazards addressed: Extreme Heat)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire $ Ongoing
- Yearly
Medium
31 Upgrade HVAC within City facilities to more
efficient systems that may include split systems
or decentralized systems that allow for heating
and cooling the spaces needed, not entire
buildings.
(Hazards addressed: Extreme Heat)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works $$ Ongoing
– yearly
Medium
Table 6-10: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Fire # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
32 Educate and promote the proper maintenance
and separation of power lines from trees and
other hazards.
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire/ PWP $ Ongoing
- Yearly
High
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
33 Conduct regular fuel modification projects to
reduce fire hazard risks, such as clearing out
dead vegetation in parks, open spaces, right-of-
way embankments, and other areas that could
become fuel for fires.
(Hazards addressed: Wildfire)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Parks/ Public
Works
$ Ongoing
- Yearly
High
34 Adopt a wildfire mitigation ordinance to limit the
use and development of wildfire hazard areas to
mitigate risk to life and property.
(Hazards addressed: Wildfire)
General Funds Fire $ 2 years High
Table 6-11: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Dam Inundation # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
35 Coordinate with County Public Works to
collectively identify threats to the City and
implement an early warning system/protocol
that notifies downstream communities in the
event of a potential dam failure incident.
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Works
$ 2 years Low
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Table 6-12: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Human-caused Hazards # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
36 Evaluate all critical facilities, facilities of concern for potential human-caused hazard
vulnerabilities and integrate counterterrorism
design elements and building materials, where
feasible.
(Hazards addressed: Terrorism)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Police $ Ongoing
- Yearly
Medium
37 Continuously inspect businesses and other
properties storing hazardous materials and
create an inventory of storage locations that
require updates, maintenance, or renovation.
(Hazards addressed: Hazardous Materials)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Fire $ Ongoing
- Yearly
Medium
38 Expand the installation of fiber optics
infrastructure and conduit (for future services) to
enhance the city's communications systems
and economic opportunities.
(Hazards addressed: Terrorism)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
IT $$ Ongoing
- Yearly
Medium
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# Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
39 Establish and provide annual cyber-security risk
briefings to City officials. Leverage the
Department of Homeland Security’s State,
Local, Tribal, and Territorial Cyber security
engagement programs.
(Hazards addressed: Cyber Attack)
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
IT $ 2 years High
40 Evaluate and take necessary actions to ensure
robust cyber-security of utility infrastructure and
protection of critical information systems from
cyber-attacks/incidents.
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
IT $$ Ongoing
- Yearly
High
Table 6-13: Mitigation Action Implementation Plan – Pandemic # Mitigation Action Funding
Sources
Responsible
Department
Relative
Cost*
Time
Frame Priority
41 Develop and coordinate planning with partners
for dispensing of medications or vaccines.
Coordinate infection control planning with
partners.
General Fund,
HMGP
Grants
Public Health $$ Ongoing
- Yearly
Medium
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SECTION 7: PLAN MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
Implementation and maintenance of the plan is critical to the overall success of hazard mitigation planning. This section details the process that the City will use to monitor, update, and evaluate the plan within the five-year cycle of the plan’s revision to ensure the LHMP remains an active and relevant document. The format of the plan aligns with the regulation checklist and is divided into sections of information. When it is time to maintain or revise the LHMP, data can be easily located and incorporated, resulting in an easy method to keep the plan current and relevant.
The planning team represents City staff from each department and other stakeholders that contributed to the development of the 2025 LHMP. The planning team oversaw the development of the plan and made recommendations on key elements of the plan, including the maintenance strategy.
It was important to the City that each department be represented in the planning team and given the opportunity to provide input during the plan’s development. This philosophy will be continued for future plan revisions through evaluations, maintenance, and updates of data, processes, and programs. The planning team will convene annually to perform annual reviews of the LHMP and its implementation. The planning team will include representation from residents, citizen groups, partner agencies and stakeholders within the planning area.
If planning team members can no longer serve on the planning team, the City Manager will assign another staff person to be on the planning team so that every City department is represented.
7.1 Monitoring and Evaluation
The hazard mitigation plan includes a range of action items to reduce losses from hazard events. Together, the action items provide a framework for activities that the City can choose to implement over the next five years. The effectiveness of the plan depends on the incorporation of the action items into existing City plans, policies, and programs. Although the City Fire Department will have primary responsibility for the LHMP’s continual review, coordination, and promotion, plan implementation, and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all departments and agencies that contributed to the mitigation action plan.
The City Emergency Manager and Department Supervisors will be jointly responsible for the plan’s implementation and maintenance through existing City programs.
Department Supervisors will be responsible for implementing mitigation strategies and CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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actions specific to their department operations. The City Emergency Manager will assume the lead responsibility for facilitating plan maintenance and coordinating the planning team.
Each April, the planning team will begin the process of reviewing the LHMP and the implementation of mitigation actions to develop an annual progress report. This process can also assist the budget review process by providing information on mitigation projects and activities that have been completed or implemented. The annual progress report process will serve to align annual reviews of the hazard mitigation plan and to incorporate information. As updates to the LHMP are completed, the public will be made aware of the changes to the LHMP and make recommendations or comments.
The planning team will monitor and evaluate the hazard mitigation strategies during the year, and at a meeting held in January of each year, team members will provide information for the evaluation of the progress of the 2025 LHMP. The Emergency Manager will convene the planning team and lead the effort for the annual evaluation.
This evaluation will include:
• A summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their impact on the planning area
• A review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in the 2025 plan • A brief discussion about the targeted strategies that were not completed • A re-evaluation of the action plan to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs to be amended, and the reason for the amendment, e.g., funding issues
• Any recommendations for new projects
• Any changes in or potential for new funding options (grant opportunities) • Any impacts of other planning programs or initiatives in the City that involve hazard mitigation
The planning team will write a progress report that will be provided to the City’s budget planning team for review and incorporation in the budget process as mitigation projects are completed or implemented. The hazard mitigation plan progress report will also be posted on the City website on the page dedicated to the hazard mitigation plan, provided to the local media through a press release, and presented in the form of a report to the City Council. The planning team will strive to complete the progress report process by March of each year.
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7.2 Plan Update
Section 201.6.d.3 of 44CFR requires that local hazard mitigation plans be reviewed, revised as appropriate, and resubmitted for approval in order to remain eligible for benefits awarded under the Disaster Mitigation Act. The City intends to update its hazard mitigation plan on a five-year cycle. Based on needs identified by the planning team, the update will, at a minimum, include the following elements:
• The hazard risk assessment will be reviewed and updated using the most recent information and technologies
• The action plan will be reviewed and revised to account for any initiatives completed, dropped, or changed and to account for changes in the risk assessment
• Any new City policies identified under other planning mechanisms, as appropriate
• The draft LHMP update will be sent to appropriate agencies and organizations for comment
• The public will be given an opportunity to comment on the updated version prior to adoption
• The City Council will adopt the updated plan
At a minimum of six months before the expiration date of the 2025 LHMP, the planning team will implement a plan revision schedule to formally update the 2025 plan. The plan will be revised using the latest FEMA hazard mitigation guidance documents, such as the Mitigation Planning Tool and Regulation Checklist, to ensure compliance with current hazard mitigation planning regulations.
The overall success of the LHMP is through implementation of the plan’s hazard mitigation strategy and activities to reduce the effects of hazards, protect people and property, and improve the City’s efforts to respond to and recover from disasters.
Members of the public and the City will ultimately benefit from the implementation of the LHMP and must be given the opportunity to provide input to the continuous cycle of LHMP planning.
7.3 Continued Public Involvement
The overall success of the LHMP is through implementation of the plan’s hazard mitigation strategy and activities to reduce the effects of hazards, protect people and CITY OF PASADENA 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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property, and improve the City’s efforts to respond to and recover from disasters.
Members of the public and the City will ultimately benefit from the implementation of the LHMP and must be given the opportunity to provide input to the continuous cycle of LHMP planning.
The City will strive to keep the public aware of hazard mitigation projects that take place as a result of the LHMP. Public information will be released through press releases, City website announcements, public hearings as required, council meetings, social media, and press releases.
Projects that mitigate hazards are included in the City’s annual budget planning process. The public is made aware of the planning through City Council meetings and press releases during this time. The budget planning process will serve as an annual opportunity to conduct outreach to the public on updates to the hazard mitigation planning process.
A survey can be conducted to gather input on how the community feels about the progress being made on LHMP activities. The City will also provide press releases and information about hazard mitigation projects to the public regularly. At a minimum, the public will be engaged to learn about current LHMP activities and given the opportunity to provide comments and information on an annual basis to update and maintain the LHMP. The City PIO and the City Emergency Manager will be responsible for ensuring the public is included and involved in the annual public plan update and outreach.
When the time comes to begin revising the 2025 LHMP, the plan update process will be implemented, which will include continued public involvement and input through attendance at designated public meetings, web postings, through press releases to local media, community fairs, and events, and surveys. As part of this effort, a series of public meetings will be held, and public comments will be solicited on the revisions to the LHMP according to the five (5)-year cycle. Table 7-1 summarizes successful public involvement efforts previously conducted by the City, as well as proposed activities for public involvement and dissemination of information that shall be pursued whenever possible and appropriate.
Table 7-1: Past and Proposed Continued Public Involvement Activities or Opportunities Identified by the City
Department Public Involvement Activity
or Opportunity - Past
Public Involvement Activity or
Opportunity - Proposed
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Administration LHMP Survey was conducted
online and given out at City
events in person.
Conduct annual surveys to be
completed online and at the
annual Public Safety Event.
All Place more emphasis on the
risks associated with natural and
manmade hazards at public
awareness campaigns conducted
by various City departments.
Consider developing and
distributing public education
materials for natural hazards.
Fire
Department
Conduct yearly presentations to
the Accessibility & Disability
Commission to update on
progress of the mitigation
activities.
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APPENDIX A – LOCAL MITIGATION PLAN REVIEW TOOL
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APPENDIX B – PLANNING TEAM MEETING DOCUMENTATION
Appendix B contains documentation of the planning process for the LHMP Planning Team, including meetings, presentations, emails, etc.
Date Activity Documentation
7/9/2024 Project Kick-off Meeting • Presentation (cover only) • Meeting minutes
8/29/2025 Planning Team Meeting #1 • Invitation to stakeholders • Sign-in sheet
• Presentation (cover only)
• Meeting minutes
11/14/2025 LHMP Planning Team Meeting #2 • Invitation to stakeholders • Presentation (cover only)
• Meeting minutes
2/18/2025 LHMP Planning Team Meeting #3 • Presentation (Cover Only) • Meeting minutes
• Participant Roster
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PROJECT KICKOFF MEETING PRESENTATION (Cover Slide)
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PROJECT KICKOFF MEETING NOTES
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HMPC MEETING #1 PRESENTATION (Cover Slide)
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HMPC MEETING #1 PRESENTATION (Invitation)
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HMPC MEETING #1 NOTES
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HMPC MEETING #2 PRESENTATION & INVITATION
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HMPC MEETING #2 PRESENTATION (Invitation)
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HMPC MEETING #2 NOTES
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HMPC MEETING #3 PRESENTATION & MEETING NOTES W/PARTICIPANTS
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APPENDIX C – PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT DOCUMENTATION
Appendix C contains documentation of the planning process including meetings, presentations held for the stakeholders and public, and other stakeholder/public outreach efforts.
Date Activity Documentation
November
19, 2024 -
Present
Survey posted on City Website
with links provided in social
media accounts. General
Hazard Mitigation documents.
Documentation 1 – Survey
Documentation 2 – Posting on City
Instagram Account
Documentation 3 – Posting on City
Facebook Account
Documentation 4 – News release
Documentation 5 – Google Search
Documentation 6 – Posting on City
website
Documentation 7 – LHMP Flyer
(English)
Documentation 8 – LHMP Flyer
(Spanish)
Documentation 9 – LHMP Flyer
(Chinese)
Documentation 10 – Survey
(Spanish)
Documentation 11 – Survey
(Chinese)
Documentation 12 – City website
presentation and newsletter
Documentation 15 – Flyers at
facilities
November
19, 2024
Public Meetings Documentation 13: Accessibility &
Disability Commission Presentation
Agenda
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Date Activity Documentation
3 months Public hazard mitigation
survey conducted.
Documentation 14: Survey results
Ongoing Outreach Materials at Public
Facing Facilities
Documentation 15: Outreach
Materials at Public Facing Facilities
6/9/2025 Draft LHMP provided for public
review.
Documentation 16: Survey
Distribution for Feedback
Ongoing Survey Results to Public
Review Draft Feedback
Documentation 17: Survey
Distribution for Feedback
6/24/2025 Draft LHMP provided to
neighboring jurisdiction for
review and comment.
Documentation 18: Distribution
Email/Feedback
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DOCUMENTATION 1: SURVEY
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DOCUMENTATION 2: INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
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DOCUMENTATION 3: FACEBOOK POST
DOCUMENTATION 4: NEWS RELEASE
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DOCUMENTATION 5: GOOGLE SEARCH
DOCUMENTATION 6: FIRE WEBPAGE
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DOCUMENTATION 7: LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN FLYER (English)
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DOCUMENTATION 8: LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE FLYER/SURVEY (SPANISH)
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DOCUMENTATION 9: LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE FLYER (Chinese)
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DOCUMENTATION 10: Survey (Spanish)
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DOCUMENTATION 11: Survey (CHINESE)
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DOCUMENTATION 12: CITY WEBSITE PRESENTATION & NEWS ARTICLE
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DOCUMENTATION 13: ACCESSIBILITY & DISABILITY COMMISSION AGENDA
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DOCUMENTATION 14: SURVEY RESULTS
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DOCUMENTATION 15: OUTREACH MATERIALS AT PUBLIC FACING OFFICES
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DOCUMENTATION 16: SOCIAL MEDIA POST SURVEY DISTRIBUTION FOR FEEDBACK
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DOCUMENTATION 17: PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT SURVEY RESULTS
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DOCUMENTATION 18: DISTRIBUTION EMAIL/FEEDBACK
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APPENDIX D – ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
Acronym Definition
BRIC Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
Cal OES California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services CDAA California Disaster Assistance Act
CIP Capital Improvement Plan
CO2 Carbon Dioxide
CPRI Calculated Priority Risk Index
DMA 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
EAP Emergency Action Plan
EOP Emergency Operations Plan
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FMA Flood Mitigation Assistance
HMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance
HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
LHMP Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
NFIP National Flood Insurance Program
NWS National Weather Service
PDM Pre-Disaster Mitigation
RFC Repetitive Flood Claims
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Acronym Definition
STAPLEE Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal, Economic, Environmental
UCERF3 (the third) Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast USDM U.S. Drought Monitor
USSDO U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook
UWMP Urban Water Management Plan
NIDIS National Integrated Drought Information System
WUI Wildland Urban Interface