Agenda packet — San Clemente City Council, March 4, 2025 (part 3 of 4)

The preferred coastal resiliency building or adaptation strategy in San Clemente is beach sand replenishment. This process places additional sand on beaches to serve as a buffer against erosion or to enhance the recreational value of the beach and to preserve and protect critical public infrastructure and public amenities located on or adjacent to the beach.10 The City of San Clemente is currently embarking upon a comprehensive, and long term program of beach sand replenishment in the City encompassing all 5 miles of shoreline. The beach sand replenishment program includes both planned beach sand nourishment projects and opportunistic sand projects which take advantage of available upland beach quality sediments as they become available through maintenance activities or site redevelopment projects. In 2024, the City placed 237,000 cubic yards of sand on its beaches with plans in the works for an additional 1.5 million cubic yards over the next five to ten years.11
Figure 4-1
Coastal Erosion Mitigation Strategies
Source: NOAA, Guidance for Considering the Use of Living Shorelines, https://www.habitatblueprint.noaa.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2018/01/NOAA-Guidance-for-Considering-the-Use-of-Living-Shorelines_2015.pdf, published 2015, accessed October 9, 2024.
9 Ibid.
10 Ibid. 11 San Clemente, San Clemente Sand Replenishment, https://www.san-clemente.org/departments-services/planning-services/longrange-planning-projects/beach-restoration-project, updated 2024, accessed July 8, 2024. 431
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Figure 4-2
Factors Affecting Coastal Erosion
Source: USGS, Factors that can affect coastal cliff erosion, Factors that can affect coastal cliff erosion. | U.S.

Geological Survey (usgs.gov), accessed July 11, 2024.

In general, the coastal cliffs in San Clemente have a high vulnerability to landslides and erosion though they are generally not exposed to direct wave attack due to the presence of the railroad and railroad revetment that runs the length of the City shoreline.

Current measurements of sea level rise at the nearest NOAA tide gage station at the Scripps Pier in La Jolla show a relative sea level trend is 2.23 millimeters/year with a 95% confidence interval of +/- 0.17 mm/yr based on monthly mean sea level data from 1906 to 2023, which is equivalent to a change of 0.73 feet in 100 years. At the present time in San Clemente, the key factor causing coastal erosion is therefore not sea level rise but a lack of sediment supply due to all natural sources of sand (creeks and rivers) being effectively cut off from reaching the coast.12 USGS predicts that the shores of City of San Clemente will have -1 to 1 m/year of sea level change in the short-term (less than 70 years).13
To track shoreline trends, the City of San Clemente collects shoreline profile data at 12 locations each spring and fall each year. Based on the conditions of the shoreline during the time of the 2023 surveys, the City commissioned a point in time critical hot spots analysis. The result was the 2023 San Clemente Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study: Critical Erosion Hotspots Report (Critical Erosion Hotspots Report) identifies various shoreline reaches in the City 12 NOAA, Tides & Currents, https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/sltrends/sltrends_station.shtml?id=9410170, accessed November 5, 2024.
13 USGS, Coastal Change Hazards Portal, https://marine.usgs.gov/coastalchangehazardsportal/, accessed October 10, 2024. 432
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of San Clemente including Shorecliffs, Capistrano Shores, North Beach, City Beaches, Pier Bowl & T-Street, Boca Del Canon Beach, State Beaches, and Cyprus Shores (see Figure 4-3, San Clemente Shoreline Reaches & CFC Transect Locations (Coastal Frontiers Corporation, 2023).

Figure 4-3
San Clemente Shoreline Reaches & CFC Transect Locations (Coastal Frontiers Corporation, 2023)
Source: Moffatt & Nichol, San Clemente Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study: Subtask 2.2 – Critical Erosion Hotspots Report, published June 23, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024.

The Critical Erosion Hotspots Report rates these areas as either critical, threatened, or stable (see Figure 4-4, Evaluation Criteria for Beach Condition Classifications). A reach is classified as critical when three or more of the parameters are evaluated as critical, or if at least two of the parameters are critical and two are in the threatened category. A reach is defined as threatened if two or more of the parameters are evaluated in the threatened category, or if at least one is critical. Lastly, a reach is classified as stable if none of the parameters is evaluated as critical and no more than one parameter is considered threatened.

The Critical Erosion Hotspots Report identified San Clemente’s Shorecliffs, Capistrano Shores, Mariposa Beaches, and Cyprus Shores to be critical erosion hotspots as of October 2022 (see Figure 4-5, Summary Matrix of Coastal Erosion Hotspots). Shorecliffs contains important infrastructure and natural resources at risk of loss if continued erosion and beach loss occurs.

The Capistrano Shores community contains the only residential infrastructure west of the LOSSAN railway, where potential failure of revetment structures fronting homes can occur due to 433
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high wave events or increased erosive undermining. Mariposa Beaches has fully retreated to the railroad revetment and the beach elevation at the toe of the revetment is the lowest it has been on record. The Cyprus Shore reach is considered to be the most critically eroded portion of the City’s coastline. A deep-seated landslide landward of the railroad tracks in this reach has compromised the integrity of the tracks, thus OCTA had constructed a slope stabilization project in the middle of the reach.

Other shoreline reaches such as Linda Lane & Pier Bowl, T-Street, and North Beach Sub-Reach are considered to be threatened. The Linda Lane & Pier Bowl Sub-Reach has the highest economic and recreational value for the City as the area has beach infrastructure, the fishing pier, surfing resources and nearby businesses. T-Street reach is popular amongst beachgoers as due to quality of surfing and recreation, and the presence of a stable, wide, sandy beach accompanied by nearby parking and easy coastal access. North Beach contains beachside amenities such as an ADA access ramp, restroom facilities, concessions building, and playgrounds, and the City’s largest train stop is situated adjacent to this beach. The economic potential this reach holds for the City is second only to the Pier Bowl and T-Street reach. Other beaches such as the Boca Del Canon Beach and State Beaches are considered stable.14
Figure 4-4
Evaluation Criteria for Beach Conditions Classifications Source: Moffatt & Nichol, San Clemente Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study: Subtask 2.2 – Critical Erosion Hotspots Report, published June 23, 2023, accessed October 10, 2024.

14 Moffatt & Nichol, San Clemente Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study: Subtask 2.2 – Critical Erosion Hotspots Report, published June 23, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024. 434
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Figure 4-5
Summary Matrix of Coastal Erosion Hotspots
Source: Moffatt & Nichol, San Clemente Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study: Subtask 2.2 – Critical Erosion Hotspots Report, published June 23, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024.

The City of San Clemente’s 2019 Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment discusses coastal erosion under three hypothetical sea level rise scenarios: 0.8 ft, 3.3 ft, and 4.9 ft.15 Under the 0.8 ft sea level rise scenario, projected to occur in 2030 to 2040, existing sandy beaches will erode and lose about half their width whereas beaches such as North Beach and Mariposa Point will erode completely up to the railroad. Under the 3.3 ft scenario, projected to occur in 2060 to 2100, most sandy beaches will be eroded up to the railroad while small beaches may exist seasonally and at low tide. Under the 4.9 ft scenario, projected to occur in 2070 to 2130, shoreline retreat could reach the coastal bluffs while parcels atop the bluff would be vulnerable to slope failure.

These sea level scenarios show limitations to coastal access, economic losses, and losses to local infrastructure and assume no action on the part of the City to conduct beach sand replenishment projects such as was conducted in 2024.

According to the City’s Coastal Erosion Hotspots Report, coastal erosion in the City dates back to the early 1980s. The following list outlines facts from Coastal Erosion Hotspots Report, along with identifying projects undertaken by the City to reduce the local impacts of coastal erosion:
x Until around the early 2000’s, lifeguard emergency response vehicles were able to navigate around Mariposa Point from the Marine Safety Headquarters adjacent to San 15 City of San Clemente California, Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment, 2019, accessed October 11, 2024. 435
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Clemente to North Beach, regardless of tide level. However, according to the Coastal Erosion Hotspot Report, lifeguards currently must wait until very low tide levels to traverse laterally across the beach around Mariposa Point. Loss of this accessway was a significant casualty for the San Clemente Marine Safety Department operations.16 x In 2005, approximately 5,000 cubic yards (cy) of sand was placed at North Beach. x In 2016, an additional 12,000 cy was placed in North Beach. x The City of San Clemente has an ongoing 50-year beach sand replenishing project as of 2024 with several others in the planning stages. The San Clemente Shoreline Project which is a 50-year partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was completed in 2024 and placed 200,000 cubic yards of sand on the beach. x The North Beach Emergency Sand Replenishment Project was also completed in 2024.

The project placed 37,000 cy of Santa Ana River beach-quality sand to protect critical public infrastructure on the beach.

Additionally, the coast of San Clemente experienced a series of landslides over the last few years initiating evacuations, infrastructure and public trail closures, loss of property, and railroad service delays. See Section 4-11, Landslide and Slope Failure for more details.

No federally declared disasters related to coastal erosion have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Based on previous occurrences and observed risk, there is a high probability of future coastal erosion impacts in the future. The LHMP Planning Team assigned the probability of coastal erosion occurring as highly likely which has a 90% to 100% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of less than 1 year. The LHMP Planning Team assigned a high hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with coastal erosion based a highly likely probability and likely expected impacts of future events. Throughout the planning area, much of the coastal areas is susceptible to coastal erosion and has already experienced impacts and loss.

Coastal counties produce more than $9.5 trillion in goods and service each year and support more than 58 million jobs in fishing, tourism, real estate, defense, and other industries.17 Coastal communities can face permanent inundation and flooding threats from climate change effects such as sea level rise, intense rains, high tide flooding, and severe storms.18 Climate change can cause coastal land losses to occur by turning dry land into wetlands or open water.19 In addition, more coastal erosion may increase along San Clemente coastal communities as well as impacting transportation services and infrastructure in the planning area. 16 Moffatt & Nichol, San Clemente Nature-Based Adaptation Project Feasibility Study: Subtask 2.2 – Critical Erosion Hotspots Report, published June 23, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024. 17 EPA, Climate Change Impacts on Coasts, https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-change-impacts-coasts, updated November 16, 2023, accessed July 11, 2024.
18 Environmental Protection Agency, Climate Change Impacts on Coasts, https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climate-changeimpacts-coasts, updated on November 16, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024. 19 Ibid.
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As identified in the Critical Erosion Hotspots Report, San Clemente’s Shorecliffs, Capistrano Shores, Mariposa Beaches, and Cyprus Shore have been highlighted as critical erosion hotspots.

Additionally, other shoreline reaches such as Linda Lane & Pier Bowl, T-Street, and North Beach Sub-Reach, are considered to be threatened by coastal erosion as of this LHMP update. In fact, coastal erosion could directly impact and cause secondary impacts along the entire coastline of the City; therefore, all critical facilities, assets, and populations near the City shoreline are considered vulnerable to the coastal erosion hazard.

Increased coastal erosion could cause incidents of severe flooding to impact the planning area, leading to the displacement of residents and the destruction of homes and businesses. The economic impact would include significant losses in property value, tourism, and local businesses.

Overall, the potential social, economic, and environmental consequences of coastal erosion in the City could be far-reaching and require substantial investment in mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010 due to the development of two new large residential communities (Talega and Sea Summit). Land use patterns and development trends during this period and within the last few years indicate a significant increase in vulnerability to the coastal erosion hazard.

Within the past five years, the City’s population has remained relatively stable due to limited changes in land use and development patterns within the planning area. United States Census Data reports a 2020 population of 64,293 individuals and a 2023 population of 62,313, representing a marginal decline of 3.1%. Generally, population and housing growth over the past five years has been concentrated within the urbanized areas of San Clemente.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City anticipates the majority of population growth, land use changes and redevelopment to occur within established and urbanized neighborhoods. The Pier Bowl, North Beach and North El Camino Real neighborhoods are located within potential coastal erosion vulnerability areas, placing these areas at additional risk to this hazard. As the entire coastline of the planning area would be vulnerable to coastal erosion, any projected population growth near the coast would increase the number of vulnerable individuals.

Section 3.8 of the LHMP includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards. The impacts of coastal erosion would apply to all populations located along the coastline of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tracts 42108, 42107, 42201; costburdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations over age five who speak English “less than well”; and tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations. These SVPs are located throughout the planning area and face their own unique challenges to coastal erosion. The primary concern for SVPs in San Clemente is the compounding impacts that coastal erosion may have on coastal 437
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flooding and how these impacts may affect SVPs. Specifically, the impacts of flooding or coastal storms due in part to coastal erosion may impact the identified SVPs within the planning area.

Cost-burdened families spending 30% or more of their income on housing face heightened vulnerability during disaster events due to limited financial resources for food, water, shelter, medical services, and other basic needs. In the event of coastal flooding caused by erosion, these residents may be unable to find alternative shelter if their homes are damaged. Uninsured residents in San Clemente are particularly at risk, as they lack the financial resources and insurance to recover from property or health impacts resulting from flooding due to coastal erosion. Minority populations, who have historically faced higher rates of chronic health conditions, may find access to healthcare critically urgent during the unstable circumstances of a disaster. Additionally, those who speak English less than well may struggle to access vital information and resources to assist them in evacuation during hazard events associated with coastal erosion.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the effects of coastal erosion. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make evacuation extremely challenging when faced with rapidly rising water levels and flooding caused by coastal erosion. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted during such emergencies.

Communication barriers may prevent them from receiving or understanding emergency alerts about coastal erosion and incoming water, and many facilities may lack adequate infrastructure to withstand coastal flooding.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are especially vulnerable, as they often lack the resources to relocate and adapt to sudden coastal flooding caused by erosion, making them more susceptible to displacement and loss of shelter during such hazards. The compounded effects of economic strain, health disparities, and inadequate access to information and resources underscore the severe potential impacts of coastal erosion on these socially vulnerable groups.

A dam is an artificial barrier preventing the flow of water or a barrier built across a watercourse for impounding water. Dam failure is the uncontrolled release of impounded water from behind a dam. Flooding, earthquakes, blockages, landslides, lack of maintenance, improper operation, poor construction, vandalism, and terrorism can all cause dam infrastructure to fail. Dam failure causes downstream flooding of varying velocities that can result in loss of life and property.

Reservoirs are defined as an artificial lake, pond, impoundment, or tank, used to store water (both potable and non-potable). Reservoirs can be created on the surface by constructing dams to store water. Additionally, tank reservoirs can be constructed to store water above ground, on the surface, or below ground. Reservoir failure is the uncontrolled release of impounded water from a reservoir.
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Dam or reservoir failures are most likely to happen for the following reasons:20 x Overtopping, caused by water spilling over the top of the dam, usually a precursor of dam failure because of inadequate spillway design, debris blockage of spillways, or settlement of the dam crest;
x Foundation defects, including settlement or slope stability; x Cracking caused by natural settling of a dam or seismic movements; x Inadequate maintenance and upkeep; and/or
x Piping, when seepage through a dam is not properly filtered, soil particles continue to progress and form sinkholes in the dam.

Because dam failure can have severe consequences, FEMA and Cal OES require all dam owners to develop an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) for warning, evacuation, and post-flood actions. In the event of a major dam failure, mutual aid from all levels of government would be required for an extended period. Recovery efforts would include the removal of debris, clearing roadways, demolishing unsafe structures, assistance in reestablishing public services, and providing continued care for the affected population. The Palisades Reservoir, the only reservoir in the planning area, is regulated by the South Coast Water District.21 x Reviewing and approving dam enlargements, repairs, alterations, and removals, and ensuring that the dam appurtenant structures are designed to meet minimum requirements;
x Performing independent analyses to understand dam and appurtenant structures performance (including structural, hydrologic, hydraulic, and geotechnical evaluations); x Overseeing construction to ensure work is performed in accordance with approved plans/specifications;
x Inspecting each dam on an annual basis to ensure safety and performance standards; and,
x Periodically reviewing the stability of dams/major appurtenances, as well as new findings regarding earthquake hazards and hydrologic estimates in California.

DSOD is responsible for assigning each jurisdictional dam a downstream hazard classification.

This classification is based only on potential downstream impacts to life and property, should the dam fail when operating with a full reservoir. This hazard status is not related to the condition of the dam or the likelihood of the dam to fail in either the short- or long-term. Additionally, dams in southern California usually do not operate at full capacity at all times of the year, and thus hazard risks and classifications are a worst-case scenario assessment. The DSOD definitions for downstream hazards are borrowed from the Federal Guidelines for Inundation Mapping of Flood Risks Associated with Dam Incidents and Failures, and are outlined in Table X-X, DSOD Downstream Hazard Potential Classification Levels.
20 Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Dam Failures and Incidents, https://damsafety.org/dam-failures, accessed July 5, 2024. 21 Goerie, Palisades Reservoir, (Orange County, CA), https://data.goerie.com/dam/california/orange-county/palisadesreservoir/ca00843/, accessed October 8, 2024. 439
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Table 4-4
DSOD Downstream Hazard Potential Classification Levels
Downstream Hazard Potential
Classification Potential Downstream Impacts to 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 can cause economic loss, environmental damage, impacts to critical facilities, or other significant impacts.

High Expected to cause 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.

Source: California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams, Definitions of Downstream Hazard and Condition Assessment, https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/Division-ofSafety-of-Dams-Definitions-for-Downstream-Hazard-and-Condition-Assessment.pdf, published September 2021, accessed July 5, 2024.

DSOD inspects dams once annually and provides a condition assessment. This condition assessment is a more accurate tool to evaluate infrastructure risk. DSOD uses the National Inventory of Dams (NID) condition rating definitions, with additional criteria, as a guideline in assigning condition assessments. This rating system is outlined in Table 4-5, DSOD Condition Assessment Rating Levels.

Dam or reservoir failure within highly urbanized areas like the City can be catastrophic and result in property damage, destruction, and loss of life. Reservoirs in Orange County are regularly inspected and monitored to ensure structural integrity and safety; thus, most issues are identified early and immediately rectified to prevent dam failure. Dam failures can also increase in magnitude and severity when coupled with other natural disasters. Earthquakes or heavy rains can threaten the structural integrity of dam/reservoir infrastructure and create challenging conditions for emergency response.

Table 4-5
DSOD Condition Assessment Rating Levels
Rating National Inventory of Dams Definitions California DSOD Additional Criteria Satisfactory No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized.

Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the applicable regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.

None
Fair No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal loading conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.

Dam has a long-standing deficiency
that is not being addressed in a timely
manner.

Dam is not certified, and its safety is
under evaluation.

Dam is restricted and operation of the
reservoir at the lower level does not
mitigate the deficiency.

Poor A dam safety deficiency is recognized for loading conditions that may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. A poor rating may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters that identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Further investigations and studies are necessary.

Dam has multiple deficiencies or a
significant deficiency that requires
extensive remedial work.
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Rating National Inventory of Dams Definitions California DSOD Additional Criteria Unsatisfactory A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.

None
Not Rated The dam has not been inspected, is not under State jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.

None
Source: California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams, Definitions of Downstream Hazard and Condition Assessment, https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/Division-ofSafety-of-Dams-Definitions-for-Downstream-Hazard-and-Condition-Assessment.pdf, published September 2021, accessed July 9, 2024.

The geographic extent from dam or reservoir failure is dependent on the type of infrastructure and amount of water stored at the time of the hazard incident. There are no dams located within the planning area; however, the Palisades Reservoir is located within San Clemente and the inundation zone would potentially impact the City. Additional information on the Palisades Reservoir, which is the only facility with mapped inundation zones affecting the City, is listed in Table 4-6, Upstream Dams and Reservoirs affecting the City of San Clemente. Refer to Figure 4- 6, Dam Inundation Map for an illustration of inundation extent.

Table 4-6
Upstream Dams and Reservoirs Affecting the City of San Clemente Dam Name Dam Owner Location Hazard
Classification Type Size DSOD Rating
Palisades
Reservoir
South Coast
Water District
Inundation zone
within the City Extremely High Earthen Embankment
147
acre-feet Satisfactory
Source: California Department of Water Resources, Division of Safety of Dams, Dams within Jurisdiction of the State of California, https://resources.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/DAMSWITHIN-JURISDICTION-OF-THE-STATE-OF-CALIFORNIA-LISTED-ALPHABETICALLY-BY-COUNTY-SEPTEMBER-2023.pdf, published September 2023, accessed July 3, 2024.
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Figure 4-6
Dam Inundation Map
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The Palisades Reservoir, also known as the Bradt Reservoir, is located less than half a mile north of Interstate 5 in the westernmost area of San Clemente. The downstream hazard classification for the reservoir is extremely high and would potentially affect the commercial areas and residences to the southeast of the reservoir. The Palisades Reservoir provides up to 48 million gallons of potable water storage and is located at the Join Regional Water Supply System (JRWSS) operations facility.22 The reservoir was built in 1963 and was constructed with a lowlevel outlet, emergency outlet and an emergency spill way.23 The upstream watershed that contributes inflow to the Palisades Reservoir is the Prima Deschecha tributary. As a reservoir with an extremely high downstream hazard potential classification, the magnitude and extent of a failure would potentially be considerable. The inundation zone includes commercial and residential areas and would potentially displace a significant number of people. Additionally, inundation would potentially impact transportation infrastructure such as Interstate 5 as well as power and water infrastructure. This could lead to impacted evacuation efforts and power or water service disruptions during and after a reservoir failure and inundation event.

There are no previous occurrences within the planning district. However, major dam failures and recent crisis in California include the Baldwin Hills Dam failure and the Orville Dam Crisis. On December 14, 1963, the Baldwin Hills Dam located in the City of Los Angeles, suffered a catastrophic failure and flooded the surrounding residential areas. The sudden release resulted in five deaths and approximately $11 million in property damage.24 The incident triggered the State of California to update and implement dam safety standards, regulations, and inspection schedule. In the past 50 years, there have been few incidents in California as a result of these regulations.

The most recent major dam incident in California is the Oroville Dam Crisis in 2017.25 Erosion at the Oroville Dam emergency spillway threatened the structural integrity of the main weir and gate.

Over 188,000 people were evacuated from downstream areas; however, emergency repairs ultimately prevented dam failure. The crisis served as a reminder of the ongoing risk presented by dams and initiated additional inundation mapping and emergency preparedness planning for California dams.

No federally declared disasters related to dam failure events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Given that dams upstream of the City have a DSOD rating of “satisfactory” and no historical emergencies, it has been determined that the probability of dam reservoir failure impacting the planning area in the future is considered unlikely. An unlikely probability means a less than 1% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of greater than every 100 years.

The LHMP planning team assigned a low hazard planning consideration to the hazards and 22 County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area, Emergency Operations Plan Dam and Reservoir Failure Annex, https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/import/data/files/96197.pdf, published 2019, accessed July 9, 2024. 23 Ibid. 24 Lessons Learned From Dam Incidents and Failures, Case Study: Baldwin Hills Dam (California, 1963), Baldwin Hills Dam (California, 1963) | Case Study | ASDSO Lessons Learned (damfailures.org), published 2024, accessed July 9, 2024. 25 Vox, The crisis at Oroville Dam, explained, https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/2017/2/13/14598042/oroville-dam-floodevacuation, published February 15, 2017, accessed July 9, 2024. 443
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impacts associated with dam reservoir failure based upon an unlikely probability and limited expected impacts of future events.

South Coast Water District provides emergency preparedness capabilities for a potential failure of the Palisades Reservoir in coordination with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) and Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA). The South Coast Water District, who manages the Palisades Reservoir, also participates in the Orange County Water and Wastewater MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan with most recent updates in 2019.26 Despite best planning efforts however, dam or reservoir failure resulting in flooding within the community could occur due to severe seismic activity. While the probability of future occurrences remains low, an incident has the potential to be destructive due to the urbanized nature of the City and the proximity to extremely high hazard dam and reservoirs.

Climate change could indirectly increase the likelihood of dam/reservoir infrastructure failure.

Increased severe storm events and flooding incidents could increase strain on dam/reservoir infrastructure, including those dams nearby the City. This is evidenced by the 2017 Oroville Dam Crisis triggered by an unusually high influx of water from snowmelt and repetitive rain events.27 These inputs overwhelmed soil storage leading to extreme runoff and resulting in erosion.

Incidents such as this one could increase “wear and tear” and require additional maintenance and infrastructure improvements to protect dam integrity and function. Severe storm events and increased temperatures resulting in rapid snowmelt both threaten to overwhelm dams/reservoirs.

Severe storm events could also oversaturate soils and compromise dam infrastructure.

The Palisades Reservoir is the only reservoir with an inundation zone that would impact the City.

The reservoir is located in the westernmost area of the City and the inundation zone would potentially impact critical facilities and infrastructure to the southeast. Vulnerable critical facilities include those that serve as community lifelines providing safety and security, water systems, and transportation. In total there are seven vulnerable critical facilities summarized below; refer to Table 4-7, Critical Facilities in a Dam Failure Hazard Zone.

Table 4-7
Critical Facilities in Dam Failure Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 20 Fire Station 50 Fire Service Safety and Security $1,630,720 45 Palisades Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems Not Available 60 San Diego Gas &
Electric Facility and
Service Yard
Utilities Safety and Security $4,064,100
90 M01 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
26 Municipal Water District of Orange County, Annex P, South Coast Water District, https://www.google.com/search?q=hazard+mitigation+south+coast+water+district+san+clemente+ca, published August 2019, accessed July 9, 2024.
27 UC San Diego, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Researchers Identify Factor Behind 2017 Oroville Dam Spillways Incident, https ://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/researchers-identify-factor-behind-2017-oroville-dam-spillways-incident, published July 22, 2020, accessed April 11, 2023.
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Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 92 Prima Deshecha
Canada Culvert (N El
Camino Real)
Highway/
Roadway/ Motor
Vehicle
Transportation $2,120,000
95 Prima Deshecha
Canada Culvert
(Avenida Vaquero
South)
Highway/
Roadway/ Motor
Vehicle
Transportation $848,000
98 Prima Deshecha
Canada Culvert
(Avenida Vaquero
North)
Highway/
Roadway/ Motor
Vehicle
Transportation $1,526,400
Additionally, commercial and residential areas would potentially be inundated by a Palisades Reservoir failure. Approximately 581 residential units are located within the dam failure hazard area. Vulnerable residential units multiplied by the average 2.7 persons per household for San Clemente indicates that approximately 1,569 people reside in the dam failure hazard zone.

Additionally, over 303 thousand square feet of non-residential structures are located within the dam failure hazard area. Refer to the dam failure vulnerability summary below for an overview of the vulnerable population, residential units, and non-residential area within San Clemente.

Potential impacts of a reservoir failure would include damaged buildings and infrastructure including critical facilities that provide power, water, emergency services and transportation infrastructure. A reservoir failure would potentially result in damaged homes, businesses, critical facilities and infrastructure. Potential impacts would include the displacement of a significant number of people, disruption of power and water services as well as impacted roads, including major transportation and evacuation corridors such as Interstate 5. These impacts would further hinder evacuation and emergency response.
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People Residential Units Non-Residential
Square Footage
d ti l U
1,568.7 581
on Residential
303,081
Dam Failure Vulnerability Summary
Water System
Facilities
W
2 ter Sys
2 Systems & Infrastructure
0 0
0 3
The number of people, residential units, and non-residential development (square feet) located within the mapped dam inundation area.

The number of critical facilities categorized by community lifeline type located within the mapped dam inundation area.

Health & Medical
Facilities
Communications
Facilities
Safety & Security
Facilities
Hazardous
Materials Facilities
Transportation
Facilities
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Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010. Additionally, several master-planned communities were developed and completed, including Talega and Sea Summit, which span nearly 4,000 acres and bring 4,000 new residential units to the City. Past land use patterns and development trends indicate a significant increase in vulnerability to dam and reservoir in San Clemente since the previous LHMP was developed.

Within the past five years the population of San Clemente has remained relatively stable due to limited changes in land use and development patterns within the planning area. United States Census Data reports a 2020 population of 64,293 and a 2023 population of 62,313, representing a 3.1% population decline. Generally, population and housing growth over the past five years has been concentrated within the urbanized areas of San Clemente.

Looking forward, the City anticipates the majority of population growth and development to occur within the established and urbanized neighborhoods. Specifically, the Camino de los Mares neigbhorhood is located in the Palisades Reservoir inundation zone; therefore, population growth in this neighborhood would result in increased vulnerability. Based on anticipated population growth and development, it is reasonable to assume that vulnerability to dam and reservoir failure within San Clemente will increase over the 5-year planning period of this LHMP.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

Census tracts at risk of dam/reservoir failure generally do not include identified SVPs. The Palisades Reservoir inundation zone is located in the westernmost area of the City where social vulnerability is considered low and low-medium. However, the inundation zone abuts Census Tract 42201 which is identified by the CDC SVI as medium-high vulnerability. Additionally, SVPs and other high-risk individuals exist throughout the planning area and may be present within the reservoir inundation zone despite a census tract’s social vulnerability classification. Specific SVPs and high-risk individuals that may be present throughout the planning area and inundation zones include cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, populations who speak English “less than well”, tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be evacuation efforts and access to emergency services and supplies.

Cost-burdened residents and uninsured residents are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of a nearby dam or reservoir failure. These communities may reside in areas more prone to flooding and may lack the financial resources to relocate or make necessary home improvements to withstand such disasters. Additionally, these populations may not have insurance to cover damages to their homes and assets following a dam failure. These populations may not have resources to seek medical care following a dam failure. These social and economic disparities can further hinder their ability to recover, leaving them at greater risk of long-term displacement and financial hardship following a dam failure.
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Minority populations and populations that speak English less than well are more vulnerable to the impacts of dam and reservoir failure due to cultural and language barriers. Minorities and limited English populations may be more vulnerable to dam or reservoir failures due to language barriers, limited access to resources, and potential socioeconomic disadvantages. These factors can hinder their ability to receive timely warnings, understand evacuation instructions, and access emergency services. Ensuring preparedness, clear communication, and inclusive response plans are crucial to protect these communities effectively.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the effects of dam failure. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make evacuation extremely challenging when faced with sudden and massive water release. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted during such emergencies. Communication barriers may prevent them from receiving or understanding emergency alerts about dam failures and incoming water.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable during a nearby dam failure due to their unfamiliarity with the area and lack of established support systems. They may not be aware of evacuation routes or local emergency procedures, making it difficult for them to respond quickly. Additionally, they might not have access to timely information about the dam failure or the resources needed to cope with the aftermath. These factors make SVPs throughout San Clemente especially vulnerable to the impacts of a dam failure.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8 and #11, to mitigate dam failure impacts on SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuations, and access to emergency services.

Drought is defined as a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water.

Drought may also be defined by factors other than rainfall, including vegetation conditions, agricultural productivity, soil moisture, water levels in reservoirs, and stream flow. Droughts or water shortages are a gradual phenomenon, often occurring over multiyear periods and increasing with the length of dry conditions. When precipitation is less than normal for a period of time, the flow of streams and rivers declines, water levels in lakes and reservoirs fall, and the depth to water in wells increases. If dry weather persists and water supply problems develop, the dry period can become a drought. The term “drought” can have different meanings depending on how a water deficiency affects day to day activities. Drought is a complex natural hazard, reflected in the following four common definitions:28
x Agricultural – Agricultural drought is defined principally in terms of naturally occurring soil moisture deficiencies relative to water demands of plant life, usually arid crops. x Hydrological – Hydrological drought is related to the effects of precipitation shortfalls on stream flows and reservoir, lake, and groundwater levels. x Meteorological – 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. 28 NOAA, Definition of Drought, https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/dyk/drought-definition, accessed July 1, 2024. 448
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x Regulatory (or socioeconomic) – Regulatory drought can occur when the availability of water is reduced due to imposition of regulatory restrictions on the diversion and export of water out of a watershed to another area.

Although climate is a primary contributor to hydrological drought, other factors such as changes in land use (i.e., deforestation), land degradation, and dam construction can affect the hydrological characteristics of a region. Because regions are geographically interconnected by natural systems, drought impacts may extend well beyond the borders of the precipitationdeficient area. Changes in land use upstream may alter hydrologic characteristics such as infiltration and runoff rates, resulting in more variable stream flow and a higher incidence of hydrologic drought downstream. Land use changes can alter water shortage frequencies, even when no change in precipitation occurred.29
Droughts cause public health and safety impacts, as well as economic, environmental, and social impacts. Public health and safety impacts are primarily associated with catastrophic wildfire risks and drinking water shortage risks. Examples of other impacts include costs to homeowners due to loss of residential landscaping, degradation of urban environments due to loss of landscaping, agricultural land fallowing and associated job loss, degradation of fishery habitat, and tree mortality with damage to forest ecosystems. Drought conditions can also result in damage to older infrastructure that is located within dry soils with potential to break or crack. Dead or dying vegetation poses a risk to falling and damaging structures and infrastructure systems.

Drought also results in drier brush and an increase in the size and severity of wildfires. Dry brush becomes significantly more flammable and increases the rate of wildfire spread. Extended drought conditions can also create challenges in procuring adequate amounts of water to fight wildfires. Further, water and wastewater infrastructure systems located within areas susceptible to wildfires are at a greater risk of being impacted. Damage or failure to water and wastewater infrastructure systems can significantly reduce or even interrupt service to customers. For more on wildfire hazards, refer to Section 4.15, Wildfire.

Droughts are widespread regional events that affect the entirety of the City of San Clemente. The geographic extent of drought conditions would extend to every resident and each jurisdictional partner within the planning area. Certain areas within the City may experience more severe drought impacts than others.

Drought severity and extent depends on numerous factors including duration, intensity, and geographic extent, as well as regional water supply demands by humans and vegetation. The magnitude of drought is usually measured by time and severity of the hydrologic deficit. The United States Drought Monitor provides weekly data identifying portions of the United States that are experiencing drought. The intensity of drought is categorized as one five classifications:
abnormally dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought: moderate (D1), severe (D2), extreme (D3), and exceptional (D4); refer to Table 4-8, Drought Severity Classification.
29 National Drought Mitigation Center, Drought Basics, https://drought.unl.edu/Education/DroughtBasics.aspx, accessed July 1, 2024.
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Table 4-8
Drought Severity Classification
Category Downstream Hazard
Potential Classification Potential Downstream Impacts to Life and Property D0 Abnormally Dry
Going into drought: short-term dryness slowing planting, growth of crops or pastures. Coming out of drought: some lingering water deficits; pastures or crops not fully recovered.

D1 Moderate Drought
Some damage to crops, pastures; streams, reservoirs, or wells low, some water shortages developing or imminent; voluntary water-use restrictions requested.

D2 Severe Drought Crop or pasture losses likely; water shortages common; water restrictions imposed.

D3 Extreme Drought Major crop/pasture losses; widespread water shortages or restrictions.

D4 Exceptional Drought
Exceptional and widespread crop/pasture losses; shortages of water in reservoirs, streams, and wells creating water
emergencies.

Source: United States Drought Monitor, Drought Classification, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/About/AbouttheData/DroughtClassification.aspx, accessed July 2, 2024.

Figure 4-7, Drought Monitor Map, and Figure 4-8, Drought Statistics Table, identifies areas of drought by intensity. As of July 2024, the planning area has not been identified as subject to drought conditions according to the United States Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor is not a forecast but looks backward; providing a weekly assessment of drought conditions based on how much precipitation did or did not fall.
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Figure 4-7
Drought Monitor Map
Figure 4-8
Drought Statistics Table
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, California, https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?CA, accessed July 31, 2024.
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Historically, the City of San Clemente and County of Orange have faced high susceptibility to the drought hazard. From June 2007 to December 2009, Orange County was classified by the National Drought Monitor as D3: Extreme Drought Conditions before gradually being downgraded to D0: Abnormally Dry conditions in December 2009. A statewide drought declaration was issued by the Governor in June 2008 in response to these conditions.

The most severe drought on record began in 2012 and continued through 2017. On January 17, 2014, the Governor of California declared a State drought emergency, and on April 1, 2015, the Governor announced the first-ever mandatory 25% Statewide water use reduction. As part of this reduction effort, the state proposed a series of actions to help save water, increase enforcement to prevent wasteful water use, streamline the State’s drought response, and invest in new technologies that would make California more drought resilient. At the time of the announcement, the volume of Sierra Nevada snowpack was approximately 14% of normal. By the end of May 2014, all of California was in a condition of “extreme” or “exceptional” drought. At the same time, the volume of the Sierra Nevada snowpack had decreased to less than 10% of normal and water stored in Lake Oroville, the major reservoir for the State Water Project, was at 58% of normal.30 After a series of winter rains, the Governor issued an executive order in April 2017 ending the drought emergency in Southern California, including Orange County.

California saw drought conditions reoccur in during 2020 and 2021. A proclamation of a State of Emergency was made by the Governor of California for Mendocino and Sonoma counties in April of 2021, and the proclamation was expanded during summer 2021 to include the majority of northern and central California.31 On October 19, 2021, the State of Emergency was again expanded, this time including Orange County.32 After two wet seasons in 2023 and 2024, the State of California no longer suffers from widespread drought and no active National Weather Service drought information statements are active in California.33 Figure 4-9, Historical Drought and Rain Cycles in California, shows the historical droughts that have occurred in California from 2000 through the present.
30 California Department of Water Resources, California’s Most Significant Droughts: Comparing Historical and Recent Conditions, February 2015.
31 Office of Governor Gavin Newsome, Governor Newsome Expands Drought Emergency to Klamath River, Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, and Tulare Lake Watershed Counties, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/05/10/governor-newsom-expands-droughtemergency-to-klamath-river-sacramento-san-joaquin-delta-and-tulare-lake-watershed-counties/, published May 10, 2021, accessed July 10, 2024.
32 Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Governor Newsom Expands Drought Emergency Statewide, Urges Californians to Redouble Water Conservation Efforts, https://www.gov.ca.gov/2021/10/19/governor-newsom-expands-drought-emergency-statewide-urgescalifornians-to-redouble-water-conservation-efforts/, accessed July 10, 2024. 33 Drought.gov, California,
https://www.drought.gov/states/california#:~:text=There%20are%20no%20active%20National%20Weather%20Service%20drought %20information%20statements%20for%20California., accessed July 10, 2024. 452
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Figure 4-9
United States Seasonal Drought Outlook
Source: National Integrated Drought Information System, California, https://www.drought.gov/states/california#historical-conditions, accessed July 10,2024.

No federally declared disasters relating to drought have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

California weather is classified by a typical dry and wet season. During the wet season, the state relies on heavy precipitation events to constitute the majority of the annual total rainfall, so the absence of any event can significantly impact water availability. Certain atmospheric circulation patterns define California’s temperature and precipitation extremes. Examining these patterns, researchers discovered that atmospheric conditions associated with extreme drought have become increasingly common in recent decades.34
Based on previous occurrences and climate trends in California, there is somewhat likely probability of drought affecting the City in the future, meaning a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. The LHMP planning team designated a medium hazard planning consideration for drought considering the likelihood of future events and historical occurrences.

The United States Seasonal Drought Outlook depicts large-scale trends based on United States Drought Monitor areas (intensities of D1 to D4), as shown in Figure 4-10, United States Seasonal Drought Outlook. The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook indicates no drought is likely to affect the City through October 2024.35
34 Stanford News, California drought patterns becoming more common, Stanford scientists say, https://news.stanford.edu/2016/04/01/drought-patterns-change-040116/, published April 1, 2016, accessed July 10, 2024. 35 NWS Climate Prediction Center, U.S Seasonal Drought Outlook, https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/sdo_summary.php, accessed July 9, 2024. 453
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Figure 4-10
United States Seasonal Drought Outlook
Source: National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/sdo_summary.php, accessed July 31, 2024.

Impacts of future droughts can be mitigated through water conservation efforts and other waterwise management practices taken by water purveyors. Previous occurrences of drought prompted actions to examine water storage, distribution, management, conservation, and use policies more closely. Water purveyors drafted administrative drought actions and implemented mechanisms allowing for administrative consistency in water conservation and drought regulations.

Climate change is a phenomenon that will likely exacerbate drought hazards. According to the 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, climate change is expected to affect California’s water supply conditions over the long term.36 While the City of San Clemente does not face 36 Cal OES, 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Hazard-Mitigation/Documents/2023- California-SHMP_Volume-1_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed July 8, 2024. 454
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significant drought vulnerability at this time, the effects of climate change may increase the City’s overall vulnerability to the drought hazard through rising temperatures, reduced precipitation, and changes in ocean temperature.

Drought conditions would affect the entirety of the City, and therefore all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residents, and businesses are considered vulnerable to the drought hazard. Droughts do not typically result in physical damage to buildings and infrastructure, thus critical facilities are not at risk of destruction or structural failure. Instead, drought could potentially limit the availability of water supplies to City residents and businesses.

Concerns with limited water supplies may affect City firefighters’ ability to fight wildfire effectively.

Furthermore, drought often coincides with the wildfire season and contributes to conditions conducive to wildfire, causing wildfire smoke.

Other effects of drought could be sustained by parks, landscaping, and grounds around commercial and residential facilities, as well as by various plant and animal species, which depend on a delicate meteorological balance to survive. The risk of damage to landscaping and the natural ecosystem, and potential economic impacts from increased water prices or an insufficient supply of water are concerns in addition to the effects of drought on exacerbating wildfire and consequently wildfire smoke conditions.

Within the past five years the City’s population has remained relatively stable due to limited changes in land use and development patterns within the planning area. United States Census Data reports a 2020 population of 64,293 individuals and a 2023 population of 62,313, representing a marginal decline of 3.1%. Generally, population and housing growth over the past five years has been concentrated within the urbanized areas of San Clemente.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City anticipates the majority of population growth, land use changes and development to occur within established and urbanized existing neighborhoods.

As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to the drought hazard, any projected population growth would increase the number of vulnerable individuals.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

The impacts of drought would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tracts 42108, 42107, 42201; cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations over age five who speak English “less than well”; and tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations. These 455
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SVPs are located throughout the planning area and face their own unique challenges to the drought hazard. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be food and water supply shortages due to prolonged drought conditions and access to emergency resources.

Cost-burdened families spending over 30% of their income on housing face additional vulnerability during disaster events due to limited financial resources for food, water, shelter, medical services, and other basic needs. Uninsured residents in San Clemente are considered socially vulnerable due to a lack of financial resources to both prepare for and recover from periods of water scarcity, increasing their overall vulnerability. Minority populations have historically faced higher rates of chronic health conditions, making them especially vulnerable if they are unable to be properly hydrated and nourished due to the primary and secondary impacts of drought events. Disabled patients in congregate care are particularly vulnerable to drought due to their limited mobility, dependence on caregivers, and complex medical needs. Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations can be affected by sudden water shortages and may lack access to consistent support services. Additionally, strained water supplies may lead to economic impacts and drought conditions may exacerbate wildfires; both of these impacts may disproportionately impact SVPs.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5.0. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #7, #8 and #12, to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of drought and water supply issues that may disproportionately impact SVPs in San Clemente.

Expansive soils are soils with the ability to expand or contract, changing in volume based on moisture content. Typical expansive soils are composed of expansive clay mineral that readily absorbs water and swells, leading to an increase in volume when wet, and shrinkage when dry.37 Expansive soils pose a particular risk within the southwestern United States, where large clay deposits are subject to alternating periods of rainfall and drought. As expansive soils expand and contract with changes in moisture, the shrink-swell process can cause fatigue and cracking for infrastructure placed directly on or within expansive soils. Expansive soils can be particularly damaging to infrastructure located underground including gas, electric, and water utilities.

Expansive soils underlying compact topsoil can lead to unstable slope conditions, eventually resulting in landslides. As expansive soil expands and contracts, compact topsoil creeps downhill.

Facilities built on slopes with underlying expansive soils are vulnerable to movement or damage from topsoil creep or landslides; refer to Section 4.11, Landslide and Slope Failure for further detail regarding the landslide hazard.

Orange County and the City of San Clemente have not been extensively or recently mapped for expansive soils, however, there are historical soil surveys and soil mapping resources that identify soils with characteristics that are conducive to expansive soils. In the 1970s, the United States 37 Encyclopedia of Engineering Geology, Expansive Soils, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12127-7_118-1, published November 14, 201accessed August 13, 2024.
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Department of Agriculture in coordination with the University of California Agricultural Experiment Station, conducted a major soil survey of Orange County and western Riverside County.38 The survey identified significant portions of the City of San Clemente that contain soils with clay material, refer to Figure 4-11, Soil Map of Orange County.

According to the Figure 4-11, Soil Map of Orange County, the geologic conditions of the City of San Clemente range from nearly level to “strongly sloping to steep” well drained clays on coastal foothills, “strongly sloping to very steep somewhat excessively drained and well drained sandy loams, loams, clay loams, gravely loams and cobbly loams on coastal foothills.” Of the 11,743.2 acres of the planning area, 26.7% is considered clay loam with 50% to 75% slopes and eroded. 39 Expansive soils are known to create unstable slope conditions, particularly where steep slopes exist. The higher clay content of the soil, coupled with steep slopes, makes the northern and northeastern areas of the City particularly susceptible to expansive soils and landslides.

Expansive soils can be widely dispersed and may also be present in low-lying alluvial basins surrounding the Santa Ana River where wash sediments have been deposited during rapid runoff events. As the City is located in coastal areas and hills the region could include soil deposits at higher risk for expansive soils. City facilities and infrastructure within areas of underlaying clay soils or on slopes, or within areas subject to flooding or landslides may be especially vulnerable to the effects of expansive soils, due to the increased soil movement common under these conditions. Facilities in areas of high fire risk may also be vulnerable, due to increased soil exposure following a fire.
38 United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Survey of Orange County and Western Part of Riverside County, California, Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey of Orange County and Western Part of Riverside County, California, https://archive.org/details/usda-general-soil-map-soil-survey-of-orange-county-and-western-part-of-riverside-countyca/page/n157/mode/2up, accessed August 15, 2024 39 United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Map, https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx, accessed August 19, 2024. 457
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Figure 4-11
Soil Map of Orange County
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture, General Soil Map Orange and Western Part of Riverside Counties, California https://archive.org/details/usda-general-soil-map-soil-survey-of-orange-county-and-western-part-of-riverside-countyca/page/n157/mode/2up, accessed August 15, 2024.

While soil surveys and mapping resources identify clays that are conducive to the shrink-swell cycle of expansive soils, no specific resource directly identifies expansive soils. The California Building Code includes specific regulations requiring soils tests in areas likely to have expansive soils as a way to locate such soils. According to California Building Code Section 1803A.5.3, Expansive Soil, soils meeting all four of the following provisions are considered expansive:

1. Plasticity index (PI) of 15 or greater, determined in accordance with ASTM D4318.

2. More than 10% of the soil particles pass a No. 200 sieve (75 m), determined in accordance with ASTM D422.

3. More than 10% of soil particles are less than 5 micrometers in size, determined in accordance with ASTM D422.

4. Expansion index greater than 20, determined in accordance with ASTM D4829. 458
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The severity of impacts from expansive soils can vary from cosmetic to functional and structural damage. Cosmetic damage affects only the physical appearance, such as cracking in plaster or drywall. Functional damages refer to situations where the use of the structure was impacted or otherwise diminished. Structural damage includes situations where an entire foundation or structure requires replacement. The magnitude of an expansive soil hazard depends on the kind of City infrastructure affected – impacts on a critical facility could significantly affect the City’s ability to respond to emergencies and disasters. Functional or structural dam or reservoir damage because of expansive soils could result in the inundation of downstream communities; refer to Section 4.6 for further details regarding dam/reservoir failure. Generally, once expansion has been verified as an issue, successful mitigation can be achieved through foundation reinforcement or through excavation and removal of expansive soils.

Although expansive soils are likely to exist within the City of San Clemente, there are no reported occurrences of substantial degradation of property or loss of life caused by expansive soils within the City. Expansive soils would likely be identified at a local level on a site-by-site basis and are typically alleviated by following current building codes. Small-scale incidents are more common and are typically rectified with updated building techniques. Historically, there are no known occurrences of infrastructure within the City being impacted by expansive soils.

No federally declared disasters related to expansive soils have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

As expansive soils are closely associated with the landslide and slope failure hazard, the probability of expansive soils continuing to affect the City of San Clemente is considered likely. A likely probability means there is a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with expansive soils based upon a likely probability and expected impacts of future events.

Based on the soil survey of Orange County and parts of western Riverside County conducted in the 1970s, diverse soil types with expansive characteristics are known to exist within the City and will continue to exist into the future. The climatic processes that exacerbate expansive soils, including alternating periods of rainfall and drought, are also anticipated to continue and may cause the current shrink and swell cycles to be more significant.40 Historically, expansive soils have not caused significant impacts to critical facilities or other infrastructure in the City of San Clemente.

Potential impacts associated with expansive soils are typically addressed during site design and development review when constructing new infrastructure. This testing is required by California Building Code in order to mitigate against future problems caused by expansive soils. If potentially expansive soils are identified during the site development review process (which typically include 40 National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center, U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook, https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/expert_assessment/sdo_summary.php, accessed August 15, 2024. 459
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site-specific geologic studies) appropriate mitigation measures are required in accordance with the current California Building Code and other municipal regulations.

According to the 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, climate scientists studying California find that drought conditions are likely to become more frequent and persistent over the twenty-first century due to changing weather patterns such as more frequent and extended periods of high temperature conditions.41 With high temperatures likely to produce extended drought conditions, periods of intense rain are also likely to occur. According to research conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, California will experience extremely wet and extremely dry seasons by the end of the century.42 As alternating patterns of wet and dry seasons become more pronounced, the expansive soils shrink-swell process will likely intensify, leading to a greater potential for structural damage.43 The City of San Clemente maintains a 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), a Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP), and Addendum to the 2015 UWMP to conserve water and reduce the burden on local groundwater, particularly in times of drought.

Historical soil surveys and soil mapping resources have identified soils with characteristics that are conducive to expansion throughout Orange County and the City of San Clemente. Based on these resources it is reasonable to assume that the entire City is potentially vulnerable to expansive soils. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings and the entire population of 64,232 people.

Expansive soils may cause significant damage to City critical facilities and infrastructure systems.

This can lead to cracks in foundations, roads, and pipelines, disrupting utility and transportation services. Residential and non-residential buildings may experience structural damage, posing safety risks to the population. The operational efficiency of the City could be impacted, affecting public services and increasing maintenance costs. Emergency response and evacuation efforts might be hindered by damaged roads and utilities, delaying critical services. Restoration efforts would be more complex and costly, impacting the overall resilience and recovery of the City.

Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010. Additionally, several master-planned communities were developed and completed, including Talega and Sea Summit, which span nearly 4,000 acres and bring 4,000 new residential units to the City. Past land use patterns and development trends indicate a significant increase in vulnerability expansive soils in San Clemente since the previous LHMP was developed.
41 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/Hazard-Mitigation/Documents/2023-California-SHMP_Volume-1-Exec-Summary_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed October 10, 2024.
42 University of California Los Angeles Newsroom, Study forecasts a severe climate future for California, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/california-extreme-climate-future-ucla-study, accessed August 15, 2024. 43 Comité Français de Mécanique des Sols et de Géotechnique, Climate Change Effects on Expansive Soil Movements, https://www.cfms-sols.org/sites/default/files/Actes/1159-1162.pdf, accessed August 15, 2024. 460
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Within the past five years the population of San Clemente has remained relatively stable due to limited changes in land use and development patterns within the planning area. United States Census Data reports a 2020 population of 64,293 and a 2023 population of 62,313, representing a 3.1% population decline. Generally, population and housing growth over the past five years has been concentrated within the urbanized areas of San Clemente.

Looking forward, the City anticipates the majority of population growth and development to occur within established and urbanized neighborhoods. All neighborhoods in San Clemente would be potentially vulnerable to expansive soils. Based on anticipated population growth and development, it is reasonable to assume that vulnerability to expansive soils within San Clemente will increase over the 5-year planning period of this LHMP.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

The impacts of expansive soils would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tracts 42108, 42107, 42201; cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations over age five who speak English “less than well”; and tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations.

These SVPs are located throughout the planning area and face their own unique challenges to the expansive soils hazard and associated landslides and slope failure. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be landslide and slope failure events triggered by expansive soils, especially given the extremely high risk of landslides within the City.

Cost-burdened families spending 30% or more of their income on housing face additional vulnerability to expansive soils due to limited financial resources for necessary repairs in the event of a landslide, and limited resources for preventive measures. Uninsured residents in San Clemente face similar financial challenges to recover from property damage caused by soil movement. Uninsured populations also lack resources to help them withstand future impacts of expansive soils, increasing their overall vulnerability. Those who speak English less than well and minority populations may also struggle to access critical information about the risks and mitigation strategies for expansive soils. Disabled patients in congregate care are particularly vulnerable to expansive soils due to their limited mobility, dependence on caregivers, complex medical needs, and potential communication barriers for alert and warning measures. Additionally, tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations can be affected by sudden ground shifts and may lack access to consistent support services. The economic impacts of property damage due to expansive soils can further strain already limited resources as the potential for landslides exacerbates these risks, disproportionately affecting socially vulnerable populations.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5.0. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8, #11 and #12, to mitigate the impacts of expansive soils and associated landslides and slope failure that may disproportionately impact SVPs in San Clemente. 461
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Flooding occurs when a waterway, either a natural one or an artificial drainage channel, receives more water than it is capable of conveying, causing the water level in the waterway to rise.

Depending on how long these conditions last and the amount of water the waterway receives in proportion to its capacity, the rising water level may eventually overtop the waterway’s banks or any other boundaries to the drainage area, resulting in flooding in the surrounding area.

Floods often occur during heavy precipitation events, when the amount of rainwater exceeds the capacity of storm drains or flood control channels. Floods can also happen when infrastructure such as levees, dams, or culverts fail, or when a section of drainage infrastructure fails, and water cannot be drained from an area fast enough. These failures can be linked to precipitation events (e.g., when water erodes away a levee, allowing water to escape and flood nearby areas), or can be a consequence of other emergency situations (e.g., a dam collapsing due to an earthquake).

FEMA defines flood or flooding as a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:
x The overflow of inland or tidal waters;
x The unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or, x Mudslides which are proximately caused by flooding and are akin to a river of liquid and flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas, as when earth is carried by a current of water and deposited along the path of the current. x 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 that result in a flood as defined above.44 Floods can be caused by a number of factors, including:
x Weather and climate patterns (e.g., El Niño, La Niña, Pineapple Express, Atmospheric River, etc.)
o El Niño and La Niña are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Warmer or colder than average ocean temperatures in one part of the world can influence weather around the globe. El Niño and La Niña episodes typically last 9 to 12 months, but some prolonged events may last for years.45
o Pineapple Express is a name given to an atmospheric river on the West Coast. It is a channel in the atmosphere that moves vast amounts of moisture and can result in massive rain showers.
x Hydrologic features such as reservoirs, ponds, lakes, rivers, etc., can have a large impact on the amount of flooding.
44 FEMA, Glossary: Flood,
https://www.fema.gov/glossary/flood#:~:text=A%20general%20and%20temporary%20condition,inland%20or%20tidal%20waters%3B%20or, updated July 7, 2020, accessed July 1, 2024.
45 NOAA, What are El Nino and La Nina?, https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html, updated June 16, 2024, accessed July 1, 2024. 462
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x The absorption capacity of the ground depends on the composition of soil and bedrock of the area. Less absorbent soil conditions in addition to lack of proper storm infrastructure can result in flooding.
x Type and density of vegetation is related to moisture absorption affecting the flow of water. x Patterns of land use/urbanization relates to the pervious and impervious nature of the ground.
x Expected level, age, and condition of flood management infrastructure can impact flooding conditions.
x Large-scale wildfires dramatically alter the terrain and ground conditions. Vegetation absorbs rainfall, reducing runoff. However, wildfires leave the ground charred, barren, and unable to properly absorb water, creating conditions ripe for flash flooding and debris flow.

Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored – up to five years after a wildfire.46
The City of San Clemente is prone to three types of flooding riverine, coastal, and localized flooding:
x Riverine: riverine flooding occurs when streams and rivers exceed the capacity of their natural or constructed channels to accommodate water flow and water overflows the banks spilling out into adjacent low-lying, dry land.47 According to the FEMA National Risk Index, the City of San Clemente has a very high risk of riverine flooding.48 x Coastal: coastal flooding occurs when low-lying and dry land is submerged by seawater and often occurs as a result of high or rising tides or storm surges.49 The FEMA National Risk Index indicates that a relatively very low coastal flooding risk in the City of San Clemente.50
x Localized: localized flooding is the result from storms and run off that overload the drainageways and flows into streets and low lying-areas.51 This type of flooding can block streets, and low-lying areas while flooding homes and businesses such as the lower parts of the floors and basements. Localized flooding tends to recur small impacts accumulated over time which can become major problems in the future.

Floods can cause extensive damage and pose health risks. The force of a flood is sufficient to carry away large objects and damage structures, causing considerable damage to buildings and infrastructure. In severe instances, floodwaters themselves can destroy structures or move them off their foundation. Floods can saturate and weaken soil, potentially making structures built on them more susceptible to damage or collapse. Flooding can also affect water quality, as large volumes of water can transport contaminants into water bodies and overload storm/wastewater systems. Additionally, large increases in water volume can cause water body erosion and loss of aquatic habitat. Flooding can also cause economic loss to people and government due to the destruction of property and/or infrastructure. Flood events may be particularly destructive when they create conditions conducive to geologic hazards including landslides or debris flows. 46 FEMA, Flood Risk Increases After Fires Are Out – Buy Flood Insurance Now, https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/4562/flood-risk-increases-afterfires-are-out-buy-flood-insurance-now, published October 21, 2020, accessed July 12, 2022. 47 FEMA, Riverine Flooding, Riverine Flooding | National Risk Index (fema.gov), accessed July 3, 2024. 48 FEMA, Riverine Flooding National Risk Index, Map | National Risk Index (fema.gov), accessed July 3, 2024. 49 FEMA, Coastal Flooding, Coastal Flooding | National Risk Index (fema.gov), accessed July 9, 2024. 50 FEMA, Coastal Flooding National Risk Index, https://hazards.fema.gov/nri/map, accessed July 9, 2024. 51 Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding: A Guide for Communities, Chapter 2: Localized Flooding, FEMA511 ch2.indd, accessed July 9, 2024.
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Shallow flooding, a type of localized flooding, can also pose health problems to the community.52 This includes:
x Triggering the growth of mold and mildew in buildings which aggravate allergies and asthma;
x An influx of snakes and rodents moving into closer contact with people; x Movement of gasoline, pesticides, fuel oils, chemicals and other substances can be washed into buildings and soaking into soils;
x Breeding of vectors in standing still water which can transmit encephalitis and West Nile Virus; and,
x Straining individuals and families with the stress of dealing with flood impacts.

Flood zones within the City are predominantly situated in known and mapped drainage areas.

Areas in the City classified within the 1% annual chance flood hazard zone include areas along Avenida Pico from Camino Vera Cruz to the Pacific Ocean, west of the I-5 freeway near Shorecliffs Middle School, and just north of Liberty Park. Additionally, the entire coastline of the City is classified within the 1% annual chance coastal flood hazard zone.; refer to Figure 4-12, Flood Hazard Zones.

The extent or magnitude of flooding is measured by percentage and annual chance floods.

Flooding areas are classified as 1 in 100 (1%) or high risk, and 1 in 500 (0.2%) or moderate risk of flooding. Areas having a chance of less than 0.2% are classified as low risk areas. Floods are measured by stream gages that are installed in bodies of water near populated areas. They are installed and operated by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and continuously monitor water levels.

Table 4-9
Flood Zones Definitions
Zone Risk
Floodplain – 100-year flood zone (A, AE, AH, AO, VE) 1% annual flood risk Floodway – 100-year flood zone (AE) 1% annual flood risk 500-year flood zone 0.2% annual flood risk
Area with reduced flood risk due to levee Reduced flood risk Source: FEMA, FEMA Flood Maps and Zones Explained, https://www.fema.gov/blog/fema-flood-maps-and-zones-explained, accessed August 23, 2023.
52 Ibid.
464
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Figure 4-12
Flood Hazard Zones
465
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The City of San Clemente’s drainage system and infrastructure is generally sufficient to convey stormwater flows and prevent widespread flooding. Flooding in San Clemente tends to be localized, with the City experiencing minimal impacts during recent storms. However, it is noted that some underpasses providing access to the beach are prone to flooding. The City’s proactive preventative maintenance efforts also help to protect City drainage systems in mitigating localized flooding on surface streets. These measures ensure that stormwater is efficiently managed, reducing the risk of flood-related disruptions, and maintaining the safety and accessibility of public areas. Previous occurrences of the flood hazard within the planning area have been listed below:

In August 2023, the City of San Clemente took precautionary measures in anticipation of flooding and heavy winds damages from Tropical Storm Hilary. The City closed public amenities such as beach access, parks, trails, libraries, sports fields, and the base of the pier underpass.53 In addition, trolley services in the City of San Clemente as well as Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano were all canceled and expected to resume on August 21, 2023. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens and Cyprus Shores were heavily monitored as both locations experienced landslides following storm surges.54
In late January to early February of 2024, an atmospheric river fueled storm posed flooding and mudslide risk along the south Orange County coast including the City of San Clemente. 55 The City also experienced a landslide halting railroad service, and damaging the Mariposa Trail Bridge.

In the last five years, two FEMA-declared disasters for flood have affected the planning area:
x DR-3591-CA: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides – January 9, 2023 x DR-3592-CA: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides – March 10, 2023
It is also noted that a number of coastal access points are present in the City that provide the public with access to the Pacific Ocean. These coastal access points face increased risk to the impacts of flooding in the planning area and may be washed out as a result of coastal flooding or more severe storm events impacting areas near the coast. Coastal access points may include paths, trails, stairways, parking facilities, and restrooms and showers.

Refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area for a full list of federally declared disasters affecting the planning area.

FEMA defines flood zones based on the probability of occurrence, expressed in a percentage of the change of a flood of a specific extent occurring in any given year. For areas located within the 100-year flood zone, there is a 1% chance in a given year that this area will be inundated by flood 53 Picket Fence Media, First Tropical Storm Hits South Orange County in Nearly a Century, https://www.picketfencemedia.com/first-tropicalstorm-hits-south-orange-county-in-nearly-a-century/article_c8c53ecd-0663-5e35-a29a-ceb045b3ada7.html, published August 20, 2023, accessed July 1, 2024.
54 Ibid.
55 Patch, Mudslide, Landslide, Flood Risks Loom in Unrelenting Storm in OC, https://patch.com/california/ranchosantamargarita/mudslidelandslide-flood-risks-loom-unrelenting-storm-oc, published February 6, 2024, accessed July 10, 2024. 466
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waters. For moderate flood hazard areas located within the 500-year flood zone, this probability decreases to 0.2%. For minimal flood hazard areas, they are located outside of the 0.2% annual chance flood.

Given the location of the planning area and based on previous flood events, there is a somewhat likely probability of a flood event significantly affecting the City of San Clemente. A somewhat likely probability means there is a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with flood events based upon a somewhat likely probability and expected impacts of future events.

Climate change is likely to have a direct effect on flooding. According to research conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, California will experience extremely wet and extremely dry seasons by the end of the century. It is predicted that “over the next 40 years, the State will be 300% to 400% more likely to have a prolonged storm sequence as severe as the one that caused the legendary California flood more than 150 years ago.”56 This research team confirmed the recent findings from a New York Times article titled “The Coming California Megastorm,” predicting a future superstorm exacerbated by climate change. A warmer climate can carry atmospheric rivers in rapid succession to California, testing the capacity of dams and flood control infrastructure. The risk of a month-long megastorm as modeled and visualized by this article has a one in 50 chance of occurring annually. If global temperatures continue to climb, the likelihood of such a storm could increase to one in 30.57 Thus, flood considerations should continue to remain a mitigation priority into the future.

Coastal cities will flood more often and more severely. Research from Princeton and Rutgers Universities found that major coastal flooding, which is expected to occur once every 100 years, will inundate coastal cities an average of 40 times more often by 2050.58 The City of San Clemente has a high risk of coastal flooding along its coastal boundary with an even higher risk in the northern coastal area of the City.59
Mapped flood hazard zones within the City are primarily located within known drainage areas.

Drainage areas along Avenida Pico from Camino Vera Cruz to the Pacific Ocean and west of the I-5 freeway near Shorecliffs Middle School most prominently define the mapped flood hazard area, with additional flood zone identified just north of Liberty Park. Additionally, the entire coastline of the City is considered vulnerable to coastal flooding, being classified within the 1% annual chance coastal flood hazard zone.
56UCLA Newsroom, Study forecasts a severe climate future for California, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/california-extreme-climate-futureucla-study, accessed July 12, 2023. 57 New York Times, The Coming California Megastorm, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/12/climate/california-rain-storm.html, published August 12, 2022, accessed July 2, 2024.
58 Inside Climate News, U.S. Coastal Cities Will Flood More Often and More Severely, Study Warns, https://insideclimatenews.org/news/07062017/coastal-flooding-extreme-sea-level-rise-forecast/?gad_source, published June 7, 2017, accessed July 3, 2024.
59 NOAA, Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper, Coastal Flood Hazard Composite, https://coast.noaa.gov/floodexposure/#-13091016,3947681,16z, accessed July 3, 2024.
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Additionally, commercial and residential areas would potentially be impacted by the flood hazard.

Approximately 94 residential units are located within the flood hazard area. Vulnerable residential units multiplied by the average 2.7 persons per household for San Clemente indicates that approximately 254 people reside in the flood hazard zone. Additionally, over 20 thousand square feet of non-residential structures are located within the flood hazard area. A total of 11 critical facilities are located within the mapped hazard area, with safety and security community lifeline facilities facing the greatest vulnerability at five facilities in the flood hazard zone. Critical facilities located within the City’s identified flood hazard zone have been listed in Table 4-10, Critical Facilities in Flood Hazard Zone.

Table 4-10
Critical Facilities in Flood Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 3 Beach
Restrooms/Concessions - NB Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 4 Beach Restrooms - Linda
Lane Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
6 Beach Restrooms – T-Street
South Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 7 Base of Pier Restrooms Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 15 City Municipal Pier &
Lifeguard Tower Zero Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 28 Lifeguard Tower 14 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 29 Lifeguard Tower 1 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 31 Lifeguard Tower 6 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 34 Maintenance Services Government Service Safety and Security $4,064,100 37 Marine Safety Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 42 North Beach Public Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 64 Sewer Plant Maintenance
Yard
Wastewater
Management Water Systems $4,064,100
90 M01 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
91 M02 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
93 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Culvert (E Avenida Pico)
Highway/Roadway/Mo
tor Vehicle Safety and Security $2,120,000
94 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Culvert (Calle de Los Molinos)
Highway/Roadway/Mo
tor Vehicle Safety and Security $2,713,600
96 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Culvert (Calle Frontera)
Highway/Roadway/Mo
tor Vehicle Safety and Security $2,336,240
97 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Culvert (Avenida Pico)
Highway/Roadway/Mo
tor Vehicle Safety and Security $2,671,200
Depending upon the extent and magnitude of a flood event, streets may be inundated with multiple feet of flood water due to urban flooding. Businesses may be forced to close, and City streets may no longer be accessible. Flood waters may also wash out City roads including Avenida Pico and N El Camino Real, cutting off access to essential evacuation routes. Socially vulnerable 468
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populations with limited mobility could face additional vulnerability during a major flood event as they are unable to escape from incoming flood waters.

In the event of a major 100-year flood event, impacts to critical facilities in the planning area could cause substantial disruption in essential services and the potential pollution of local water sources. While drowning is the primary cause of death during a flood event, flood waters may contain sharp objects that can cause additional injury and lead to infection for those impacted by a flood emergency.
469
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People Residential Units Non-Residential
Square Footage
d ti l
253.8 94
R id ti
20,710
Flood Zone Vulnerability Summary
Water System
Facilities
W
5 er Sys
2 Systems & Infrastructure
0 0
0 4
The number of people, residential units, and non-residential development (square feet) located within the mapped flood zone.

Transportation
Facilities
Hazardous
Materials Facilities
Safety & Security
Facilities
Communications
Facilities
Health & Medical
Facilities
The number of critical facilities categorized by community lifeline type located within the mapped flood zone.
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Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010. Additionally, several master-planned communities were developed and completed, including Talega and Sea Summit, which span nearly 4,000 acres and bring 4,000 new residential units to the City. Land use patterns and development trends during this period indicate a significant increase in vulnerability to the flood hazard.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City anticipates the majority of population growth, land use changes and development to occur within established and urbanized neighborhoods. Three neighborhoods intersect with flood hazard areas within the City, indicating growth in these neighborhoods could increase flood vulnerability over the next five years. The neighborhoods that intersect with mapped flood hazard areas include the small section of the Rancho San Clemente Business Park, Los Molinos, and North Beach and North El Camino Real.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

Mapped flood zones within the City are generally confined to the coastline and the few channels within the City. Coastal flood zones intersect with Census Tracts 42107, 42108 and 42201 which have been identified as SVP for having high or medium-high social vulnerability classifications.

Additionally, the flood zone around the channel that follows Avenida Pico intersects with Census Tract 42113 which has been identified as one of the census tracts with the highest percentages of cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations who speak English “less than well”. Additionally, these SVPs and other high-risk individuals exist throughout the planning area and may be present within the mapped flood zone despite a census tract’s social vulnerability classification. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be evacuation efforts and access to emergency services and supplies.

Cost-burdened residents and uninsured residents are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of flooding. These communities may reside in areas more prone to flooding and may lack the financial resources to relocate or make necessary home improvements to withstand significant flooding. Additionally, these populations may not have insurance to cover damages to their homes and assets following a flood. These social and economic disparities can further hinder their ability to recover, leaving them at greater risk of long-term displacement and financial hardship following a flood.

Minority populations and populations that speak English less than well are more vulnerable to the impacts of flood due to cultural and language barriers. Minorities and limited English populations may be more vulnerable to flood impacts due to language barriers, limited access to resources, 471
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and potential socioeconomic disadvantages. These factors can hinder their ability to receive timely warnings, understand evacuation instructions, and access emergency services. Ensuring preparedness, clear communication, and inclusive response plans are crucial to protect these communities effectively.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of floods. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make evacuation extremely challenging when faced with incoming and fast-moving water. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted during such emergencies. Communication barriers may prevent them from receiving or understanding emergency alerts about flooding.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable during a flood due to their unfamiliarity with the area and lack of established support systems. They may not be aware of evacuation routes or local emergency procedures, making it difficult for them to respond quickly. Additionally, they might not have access to timely information about the flood or the resources needed to cope with the aftermath. These factors make SVPs throughout San Clemente especially vulnerable to the impacts of flood.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8, #11 and #12, to mitigate flood impacts on SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuations, and access to emergency services.

Hazardous Materials Spill/Nuclear Release
A hazardous material is a substance that, because of its quantity, concentration or physical or chemical composition, poses a significant present or potential hazard to human health and safety or to the environment if released. The term “release” means spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, or disposing into the environment, unless permitted or authorized by a regulatory agency.60 Hazardous materials can be in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. Hazardous materials accidents can occur during production, storage, transportation, use, or disposal.61
The impacts of a hazardous materials release can vary, depending on the type and amount of material released. Hazardous materials exposure can include the following effects: skin/eye irritation; difficulty breathing; headaches; nausea; behavior abnormalities; cancer; genetic mutations; physiological malfunctions (i.e., reproductive impairment, kidney failure); physical deformations; or birth defects.62
Nuclear release can accidentally occur from the use of nuclear power. Nuclear power is generated by splitting atoms to release the energy held at the core, or nucleus or of those atoms. This 60 Health and Safety Code Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory, Article 1. 61 Department of Homeland Security, Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents, https://www.ready.gov/hazardous-materialsincidents, accessed July 9, 2024. 62 U.S. EPA, Health and Ecological Hazards Caused by Hazardous Substances, https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/healthand-ecological-hazards-caused-hazardous-substances, accessed July 9, 2024. 472
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process, nuclear fission, generates heat that is directed to a cooling agent such as water resulting in spinning turbines are connected to a generator producing electricity.63 Radiation emergencies include nuclear emergencies, such as the explosion of a nuclear weapon, dirty bombs, radiological exposure devices, nuclear power plant accidents, transportation accidents involving radiation, and occupational accidents, such as over-exposure to radiation in health-care facilities.64 Nuclear accidents can be caused by the failure of technical components, by human error, or by natural disaster.65
Terrorism/Cyberattacks
Domestic terrorism is defined by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as perpetuated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or associated with a primarily United States based movement that espouses extremist ideologies of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature. International terrorism is perpetuated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or associated with designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (i.e., State sponsored).66 The United States Federal Code states that terrorism must be intended to 1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; 2) influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or, 3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping.67
Other types of terrorism include cyberterrorism or cyber-attacks. Generally speaking, cyberterrorism is carried out using computers or information technology. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), defines cyber-attack as targeting an enterprise’s use of cyberspace for the purpose of disrupting, disabling, destroying, or maliciously controlling a computing environment/infrastructure; or destroying the integrity of the data or stealing controlled information.68 Cyber-attacks can be the result of insider threats or external hacking. Insider threats are personally motivated attackers, such as former employees, who aim to disrupt a system to seek retribution or accidental abuse of access to a company’s assets. External hackers usually seek financial gain through money or data theft or business disruption. There are numerous types of hacking, including malware, phishing, and ransomware. Malware is malicious software that destroys key data or files rendering a system inoperable. Phishing is a scam attempt designed to look like a legitimate request for information in order to steal an individual’s credentials or sensitive data. Ransomware is a more complex malware that encrypts data or functionality, thereby preventing the use of a system until the attacker’s financial demands are met.69 Many critical facilities and infrastructure within the City operate using information technology and thus are potential targets for cyberterrorism or cyber-attacks.
63 National Geographic, Nuclear Power, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/nuclear-energy, accessed July 10, 2024.
64 World Meteorological Organization, Nuclear Hazards, https://climahealth.info/hazard/nuclear-hazards/, accessed July 10, 2024. 65 Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management, Nuclear Accidents, https://www.base.bund.de/EN/ns/accidents/accidents_node.html, accessed July 10, 2024. 66 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Terrorism, https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism, accessed July 12, 2024. 67 U.S. Federal Code Title 18, Chapter 113B, Section 2331. 68 National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST Special Publication 1800-10, Protecting Information and System Integrity in Industrial Control System Environments: Cybersecurity for the Manufacturing Sector, https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/1800/10/final, accessed July 12, 2024.
69 International Business Machines Corporation, What is a cyberattack?, https://www.ibm.com/topics/cyber-attack, accessed July 12, 2024.
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Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines civil disturbance as an activity such as a demonstration, riot, or strike that disrupts a community and requires intervention to maintain public safety.70 Civil disturbance can also be referenced as civil disorder, civil unrest, or social unrest. The Orange County Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) notes that civil disturbance often arises from a mass act of civil disobedience that escalates when participants become hostile towards authority.71 According to the County of Orange, civil disturbances may be triggered by:
x Spontaneous reactions to verdicts in high-profile trials (retaliation or celebration) x Spontaneous reactions to organized sporting event outcomes x Organized reactions or demonstrations
x Political rallies or demonstrations
A civil disturbance could be initiated by small gatherings or large crowds. Impacts can range from a passive disturbance where groups block roadways or buildings that interfere with public order, or full-scale riots where participants also commit crimes such as arson, theft, property damage, vandalism, assault, or other violence. Secondary impacts from civil disturbance can vary significantly, and potentially include urban fire, utility failure, transportation, and environmental hazards. While rare, the most significant impact is the interruption of the continuity of government.

In Orange County, responses to civil unrest are generally handled at the City level; in the case of San Clemente, the local Orange County Sheriff’s Department would serve as the primary response agency. According to the Orange County EOP, other Operational Area and Mutual Aid Region resources could be activated to support the local response agency if needed. If restoration of law and order is beyond local and county abilities, state and federal resources could be deployed.72
Pandemic
Disease (Infectious/Vector-Borne)
Infectious diseases are caused by undesirable organisms (insects, bacteria, viruses, etc.), resulting in health impacts, symptoms and/or serious harm to plants, animals, or humans. These organisms threaten human health by infecting people with disease, some of which are potentially fatal. Vector-borne diseases are a type of infectious disease which the World Health Organization (WHO) defines as human illnesses caused by parasites, viruses, and bacteria that are only transmitted by vectors. In this context, vectors are “living organisms that can transmit infectious pathogens between humans, or from animals to humans”.73 Communicable disease is an umbrella term for infectious diseases that are spread from one person to another through contaminated surfaces, bodily fluids, and through the air. In any case, infectious diseases transmitted from vector-to-person or person-to-person may have significant health impacts and symptoms that affect the structure or function of the immune, neurological, or 70 FEMA, Glossary – FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms, https://training.fema.gov/programs/emischool/el361toolkit/glossary.htm, accessed July 9, 2024. 71 County of Orange, Unified County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area Emergency Operations Plan, https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/2021-08, February 2019, accessed July 12, 2024. 72 Ibid.
73 World Health Organization, Vector-Borne Diseases, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases, accessed July 9, 2024.
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other physiological system of the human body. In many cases, infectious diseases have severe health impacts up to and including death.

Specific vectors of concern in San Clemente include mosquitos, ticks, rodents, and other animals.

These vectors are known carriers of hantavirus, rabies, West Nile Virus (WNV), and tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease.

Pandemic
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines an epidemic as an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in a population.

The CDC makes the distinction that a pandemic refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting signification proportions of the population.74 This definition of pandemic refers specifically to infectious diseases that have spread over or impacted large geographic areas. Non-infectious diseases, such as asthma or diabetes, may exist in “pandemic proportions” but do not readily spread throughout a population and thus do not constitute a pandemic. Pandemics also exclude vector-borne diseases, categorized by transmission through a vector (rats, mosquitos, etc.).

Pandemics require two components: 1) an agent (disease or virus) and 2) a susceptible host population. The host population, usually humans, is the primary mode by which agents are spread under this definition of pandemic. Pandemic agents are spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact, so humans are understood to be the causal element of pandemics.

Airborne diseases and those spread through physical contact pose higher risks to the community because they are difficult to isolate and control. Diseases such as influenza, pertussis, tuberculosis, and meningitis are spread by these pathways and therefore have the potential to reach pandemic levels.

Viruses of special concern in pandemics are novel viruses, which are new viral strains not previously identified in humans. Novel viruses present public health challenges as limited information about transmission, prevention, and treatment is available. Further, the human body does not have natural immune defenses prepared to fight novel viruses.75 In recent history, novel viruses originated as zoonotic diseases; the virus beginning in animals evolves to transfer from human to human. Examples of zoonotic diseases becoming human pandemics include Covid-19 (theorized to originate in bats), H1N1 influenza (originated in pigs), and H5N1 influenza (originated in birds).76
Train Derailment
Train derailment, the event when a train comes off its rails leading to significant disruption and cascading other hazards, can pose as a hazard to the City of San Clemente. This hazard can lead to injuries or fatalities for passengers, crews and nearby individuals or wildlife. Train derailment can also cause significant environmental damage if the train is carrying hazardous material, which can release toxic substances in the air, soil, and water. 74 CDC, Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology, Section 11, https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html, accessed July 9, 2024. 75 GoodRX Health, The Novel Coronavirus: What are Novel Viruses, and How do they Impact Public Health?, https://www.goodrx.com/conditions/covid-19/what-does-novel-coronavirus-mean-science-medical-definition, updated February 21, 2023, accessed July 12, 2024.
76 CDC, Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology, Section 11, https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesson1/section11.html, accessed July 9, 2024. 475
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Release of toxic substances can lead to long-term environmental contamination and health risks for human and wildlife.

Train derailment can occur to either passenger/commuter trains or freight trains. Passenger and commuter trains carry people, while freight trains carry goods, raw resources such as coal, lumber, ore, and toxic substances. Train derailment can occur due to broken or misaligned rails, mechanical failures of the train itself, and operational errors such as excessive speed especially around curves or improper handing by the train operator. Collisions between two or more trains, infrastructure, crossing vehicles, or debris can also derail a train causing collateral damage to individuals and properties near the incident.77 Weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, flooding, or landslides can misalign tracks and cause derailments. During extreme heat weather conditions, steel rails will expand causing a train to buckle. The cost of train derailment can range up millions of dollars with property damages, economic loss, health impacts, environmental cleanups, and legal fees.78 In the City of San Clemente, the passenger and commuter train are the most widely used rail service throughout the coast of the planning area.

Hazardous Materials Spill/Nuclear Release
Hazardous materials are generated, used, and stored by facilities throughout the City of San Clemente and in surrounding communities for a variety of purposes in service industries, small businesses, schools, and households. Uses known to handle, store, and/or maintain hazardous materials within the City involve fixed facilities comprised of gas stations, pump stations, commercial/retail businesses, dry cleaners, and medical facilities. Further, transportation of hazardous materials is known to occur on roadways, freeways, and railways within the City.

Most hazardous materials in the City of San Clemente are associated with low-risk, small-scale operations consistent with day-to-day activities. Common hazardous materials include diesel fuel, chlorine, flammable waste, fuel waste, radiator coolant, ethylene glycol, pesticides, paint/paint thinner, non-halogenated solvents, toxics, and petroleum distillate solvents. The City does not contain the types of industrial uses that typically result in larger amounts of hazardous materials, nor are significant areas of heavy industry located in adjoining areas of other cities. However, a heavy industrial zone is noted east of the City near Calle Extremo and on the border of Marine Base Camp Pendleton. A light industrial zone is located within the center/east of the City near Calle Negocio and Calle Iglesia.79, 80
The most significant nuclear release threat to the planning area is the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS), critical facility #66. The plant, operated by Southern California Edison, is located approximately 10 miles south of the City of San Clement on the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The Emergency Planning Interjurisdictional Planning Committee (IPC), created in 1991, is comprised of local and state agencies from the City of San Clemente, the City 77 International Railway Safety Council, Railway Safety, https://international-railway-safety-council.com/common-risks-managedrailway-industry/, accessed September 12, 2024. 78 Fast Company, $600 million will go to Ohio residents affected by the Norfolk Southern derailment, https://www.fastcompany.com/91198017/600-million-ohio-residents-affected-norfolk-southern-derailment, published September 26, 2024, accessed September 26, 2024.
79 San Clemente Centennial, Land Use, https://www.sanclemente.org/home/showpublisheddocument/24813/638030013295300000, accessed October 1, 2024. 80 U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Summary of Event and Plant Conditions (as of May 16, 2013), https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/tube-degrade/event-plant-condition.html, updated March 11, 2020, accessed July 15, 2024.
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of Dana Point, City of San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, San Diego County, California State Parks, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, and Southern California Edison (SCE).81 Figure 4- 13, San Onofre Wind Rose Chart (Wind Directions – Annual Frequency), shows the radiation exposure with a core of 10 mile radius EPZ, 50 mile radius, and 160 mile radius. Areas within the 10-mile radius include the City of San Clemente, areas within the 50-mile radius include much of Orange County, San Diego County and parts of Riverside County and San Bernardino County.

Areas within the 160-mile radius include the entire southern California region with impacts stretching as far as Santa Barbara to Mexico. The wind percentages vary depending on the direction.

Figure 4-13
San Onofre Wind Rose Chart (Wind Directions – Annual Frequency) Source: San Onofre Safety, San Diego Nuclear Power Plant Emergency Response Plan 2011 Draft, https://sanonofresafety.org/emergency-planning/, 2011, accessed October 9, 2024. 81 Orange County Sheriff’s Department, San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, https://www.ocsheriff.gov/commandsdivisions/investigations-special-operations-command/emergency-management/songs, accessed October 1, 2024. 477
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Hazardous materials spills are accounted for using two statewide geodatabases. The EnviroStar is the Department of Toxic Substances Control’s data management system that tracks cleanup, permitting, enforcement and investigation efforts at hazardous waste facilities and sites with known contamination or sites where there may be reasons to investigate further.82 The GeoTracker is the California State Water Resources Control Board’s data management system for sites that impact, or have the potential to impact water quality in California with emphasis on groundwater.83
According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStor database, there are two active voluntary cleanup sites. One voluntary site, Plaza by the Sea (616 Camino De Los Mares), was a 4-acre shopping center with dry cleaning operations onsite that caused potential contaminants of PCE and TCE. Environmental investigation for this site begun in 2017. Another voluntary cleanup site is the Former Reeves Rubber Inc (415 Avenida Pico).

According the GeoTracker, there are eight open sites undergoing active clean up in the City all relating to the Northrop Grumman San Juan Capistrano Test Site; refer to Table 4-11, Active Cleanup Sites. The Capistrano Test Site (CTS) is located on 2,800 acres of leased land in the City of San Clemente. 500 acres of the 2,800 acres of leased land were developed and used to conduct research and development of prototype rocket engines, layer systems, and test satellite communication systems. The remaining 2,300 acres of land acted as a buffer for surrounding areas form the testing site activities and has been used by the Mission Viejo Ranch to support ranching activities. According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control, there is one site under evaluation. The Celebrity Cleaners on 638 Camino de los Mares was a former dry-cleaning site referred by 1248 local agency as of January 1, 2000.84 The potential contaminants of concern are not specified at this time.

Table 4-11
Active Cleanup Sites
Name Address ID Type Date
Northrop Gruman/Capistrano Test
Site 33000 Avenida Pico T10000017803 Open – Remediation 1/1/1965 Northrop Grumman CTS –
Chemical Lab Area 33000 Avenida Pico T10000002570 Open – Site Assessment 9/29/2010 Northrop Grumman Capistrano
Test Site 33000 Avenida Pico T10000002686 Open – Assessment & Interim Remedial Action 12/15/2010 Northrop Grumman CTS –
Building 41D 33000 Avenida Pico T10000004566 Open – Assessment & Interim Remedial Action 2/1/2013 Northrop Grumman CTS – Former
Drum Storage Area 33000 Avenida Pico T10000004567 Open – Site Assessment 2/1/2013 Northrop Grumman CTS –
HEPTS Area 33000 Avenida Pico T10000002696 Open – Assessment & Interim Remedial Action 12/21/2010 Northrop Grumman CTS – The
Main Test Area 33000 Avenida Pico T10000002698 Open – Assessment & Interim Remedial Action 12/21/2010 82 Department of Toxic Substances Control, EnviroStor, https://dtsc.ca.gov/your-envirostor/, updated 2024, accessed July 15, 2024. 83 State Water Resources Control Board, GeoTracker, https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/, updated 2024, accessed July 15, 2024.
84 Department of Toxic Substances Control Envirostor, Celebrity Cleaners, https://www.envirostor.dtsc.ca.gov/public/profile_report?global_id=30720019, accessed July 9, 2024. 478
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Name Address ID Type Date
Northrop Grumman San Juan
Capistrano Test Site 33000 Avenida Pico T10000001730 Open – Ste Assessment 1/4/2010 Source: State Water Resources Control Board, GeoTracker, https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/, updated 2024, accessed July 15, 2024.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) biennially collects information regarding the generation, management, and disposal of hazardous materials under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Biennial Report Summary for 2021 indicated six hazardous waste generators in the City of San Clemente: Custom Flavors (160 Calle Iglesia), CVS Pharmacy # 8882 (638 Camino De Los Mares), CVS Pharmacy #8893 (602 N. El Camino Real), Ralphs Grocery #15 (638 Camino De Los Mares), Rite Aid #5749 (801 North El Camino Real), Southern California Edison San Onofre Plant (5000 Old Pacific Highway).85 Approximately hazardous waste types generated at these locations (including alkaline solutions, inorganic and organic solid waste, pharmaceutical waste, and heavy metals) are disposed pursuant to RCRA regulations.

Hazardous materials are transported throughout California and Orange County, primarily occurring along highways under the regulatory authority of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

The I-5 is the only freeway that traverses the City and is operated by The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). There is hazardous materials release risk in the event of traffic collisions. Disruption to a major freeway due to a hazardous materials release could result in significant safety and economic impacts to the City, County, or even State.

Terrorism/Cyberattacks
The specific location and severity of impacts of terrorism is difficult to predict. Generally, locations most vulnerable to terrorism are places where people gather, places of political importance, infrastructure, and destinations. Examples include but are not limited to:
x Schools
x Hospitals
x City Hall
x Community centers
x Libraries
x Transit operations and stops
x Shopping malls/large retail centers
x Highways and other transportation infrastructure
x Power plants and utility infrastructure
x Event/entertainment centers
The City of San Clemente has locations such as those identified above that could be vulnerable to terrorism or mass attacks. The severity of a terrorist attack would heavily depend on the nature of the attack and the potential target. Further, San Clemente could experience secondary effects due to terrorism incidents located outside of the City. The City neighbors the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, a large base camp actively used by Marine Corps. Depending on the type and size of an attack in a neighboring jurisdiction, impacts from an attack on the base could extend to the City of San Clemente.
85 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Biennial Report Summary 2021, https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcrainfoweb/action/modules/br/summary/view, published 2022, accessed September 16, 2024. 479
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Unlike physical terrorism attacks, cyberterrorism is not location based. Hacking could occur from great distances away from the City, but impacts could be severe and widely distributed.

Cyberterrorism may have similar motives as physical terrorism and likely target similar industries including government, businesses, healthcare or medical facilities, financial institutions, educational institutions, and/or public utilities. Cyberterrorist attacks have to potential to cause violence, service disruptions, physical damages, psychosocial impacts, economic damages, or data breaches. Depending on the target and intended motive, the effects of cyberterrorism may impact the entirety of the City or may impact specific businesses. For example, a cyber-attack aimed at an energy provider may leave the entire City without power in order to coerce some action from the utility company or the City. On the other hand, cyberterrorism may occur on a relatively small scale aimed at individuals to obtain personal or financial information.

Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
Civil disorder can occur anywhere within the City of San Clemente. Government facilities and landmarks are common places for these events to happen. Peaceful protests, concerts, sporting events, and political events can all become sites of civil unrest. Government structures and prominent economic districts may be more vulnerable to damage due to their significance and their proximity to prominent areas where people gather.86 The specific location of a civil disturbance and civil unrest within the City of San Clemente can be difficult to predict. Severe episodes of civil unrest have the potential to cause significant property damage over large areas. Depending on the cause of motivation of the civil disturbance, certain buildings and facilities may be at greater risk of damage than others. Politically motivated civil unrest may target government facilities like City Hall, the public library, or the community center.

Downtown San Clemente and other central commercial corridors could serve as a starting point for a civil disturbance, along with other localized opportunities for citizens to gather. Schools, parks and other places of assembly are located throughout the City and may be potential areas for civil unrest. Civil disturbances and civil unrest have the potential to migrate from a specific starting point and impact public facilities, businesses, and private property throughout the City.

The extent and severity of damages is highly dependent on various factors including the motivation behind the civil disturbance, the number of participants, and level of law enforcement and other public safety agency response. The aftermath of civil disturbance/civil unrest is usually measured by number of injuries, deaths, and property damage/losses in U.S. dollars. Less severe civil unrests may occur in small geographic areas, involve limited individuals, and result in minor property damage. Severe civil unrests can occur city-wide, involve significant numbers of people, resulting in injuries or deaths, and result in significant property damage from mass rioting, looting, or arson. Standard business/commercial insurance policies typically include coverage for damages associated with civil disturbance/civil unrest. Financial impacts to uninsured residents and business owners may be more severe than impacts to those with insurance. Depending on the extent and severity of damages, significant downtime may be required to cleanup and/or rebuild after an event. Generally, extended duration of civil unrest would be associated with greater extent of impacts and damages compared to short durations.

86 Cal OES, 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Hazard-Mitigation/Documents/2023- California-SHMP_Volume-1_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed July 9, 2024. 480
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Pandemic
Disease (Infectious/Vector-Borne)
A public health crisis involving vector-borne diseases can originate within the City or neighboring communities before spreading into and throughout the planning area. Vector-borne diseases and pests could potentially impact any areas throughout the City of San Clemente or County of Orange. Outdoor spaces are most likely to be areas of vector congregation, but specific vectors prefer different environments. Vectors such as rats may thrive in unmaintained structures or other areas with trash and food sources. Mosquitos require standing water to reproduce, prefer warmer environments, and may be found throughout the planning area. Ticks and rodents may interact with humans anywhere throughout the planning area, although outdoor and wildland areas may pose a higher risk of contact.

The magnitude and severity of vector-borne diseases rely on many factors such as the range and distribution of the vector population. A crisis can occur if dense populations of vectors carrying disease encounter large groups of people. Vector-borne disease could spread quickly among residents in urban areas, including vulnerable populations such as elderly persons, low-income populations, and people living in overcrowded housing conditions. The severity of impacts from vector-borne diseases are highly variable; some diseases may have relatively minor health impacts while others could be deadly. A worst-case scenario would be a vast vector population that transmits a disease with an extremely high mortality rate. In this scenario, impacts would be severe and could extend throughout populations within the City of San Clemente.

Pandemic
By definition, a pandemic is understood to have a significant geographic range with impacts on a global scale. Effects of a pandemic would impact the entirety of the planning area, depending on the disease and susceptible population. Pandemic diseases have been known to spread quickly throughout communities. Many diseases spread through close contact, meaning that highly populated areas are more prone to widespread outbreaks; many public activities are centered out of Downtown San Clemente, making this area more likely to experience the spread of pandemic disease. Indoor areas where people are in close contact with each other appear to be significant vectors for diseases that are spread through respiratory droplets.87 Areas with relatively low population densities throughout the planning area are less likely to experience a widespread outbreak. While the entirety of the City would be at risk, specific subsets of the population may be more susceptible than others, including vulnerable populations such as the very young (those under 1 year), elderly, and immuno-compromised individuals, depending on the disease.88, 89 The extent to which a pandemic could impact San Clemente depends on the disease type and symptoms. Some diseases may be highly transmissible and affect a significant portion of the population but may carry minor symptoms. On the other hand, a disease might be very deadly but not be easily transmitted. The worst-case pandemic scenario is a disease that is both highly transmissible and carries a high mortality rate. The severity and extent of a pandemic may also 87 California Department of Public Health, Isolation Q&A, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Covid-19/IsolationQA.aspx, accessed July 9, 2024. 88 Mayo Clinic, Covid-19 in babies and children, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-inbabies-and-children/art-20484405, published October 21, 2022, accessed April 17, 2024. 89 University of Michigan, Which Populations are Most Vulnerable to the Coronavirus Pandemic? https://sph.umich.edu/news/2020posts/which-populations-are-most-vulnerable-to-coronavirus.html, published April 6, 2020, accessed July 9, 2024.
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depend on the ability to respond by developing and administering vaccinations, or other public health measures for mitigating the spread of the disease.

Train Derailment
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) owned tracks along the coast of the City of San Clemente are a part of the of Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor. This corridor hosts two passenger and commuter rail services along the coastline which are the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner and the Metrolink with one stop at the San Clemente Pier within the planning area. The tracks also provide passage for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), a major North American freight railroad company that transports goods and raw materials, making the corridor a crucial link for commerce. Additionally, the LOSSAN Corridor is a designated Strategic Rail Corridor Network by the U.S. Department of Defense due to its connectivity with military bases and major ports.90
The tracks run along the beach with occasional rip rap and close proximity to restaurants, beaches, and cliffs and are vulnerable to sea-level rise, coastal erosion, and landslides. These environmental challenges have previously disrupted services and ongoing efforts to enhance rail resiliency within the planning area.91
Hazardous Materials Spill/Nuclear Release
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensations, and Liability Act (CERCLA), Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), and California law require responsible parties to report hazardous materials releases if certain criteria are met. All hazardous materials releases exceeding reportable quantities must be reported to the National Response Center. Spills reported in the last five years include petroleum, sewage, vapor, and chemical substance types. Spill amounts varied depending on the substance type but were generally categorized as minor spills with limited impacts on the community. Reported spills largely involved City utility providers (San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), South Coast Water District (SCWD), Santa Margarita Water District (SMWD), SoCalGas, or other local petroleum/gasoline stations) during day-to-day operational activities required to maintain customer service.92 The majority of historical hazardous materials releases in the City of San Clemente are relatively small in scale and are efficiently cleaned up.

Outside of San Clemente on January 31, 2012, a small radiation leak of SONGS led to the shutdown of the plant.93 Subsequent investigations revealed significant wear on the steam generator tubes. The SONGS plant was decommissioned as a result of the leak. 90 OCTA, Orange County Coastal Rail Resiliency Study, https://www.octa.net/programs-projects/programs/plans-andstudies/orange-county-coastal-rail-resiliency-study/, updated 2024 accessed October 8, 2024. 91 OC Register, $7.2 million wall to be built along train tracks in San Clemente after latest landslide, https://www.ocregister.com/2024/02/21/7-2-million-wall-to-be-built-along-train-tracks-in-san-clemente-after-latestlandslide/?clearUserState=true, published February 21, 2024, accessed October 8, 2024. 92 California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, Spill Release Reporting, https://www.caloes.ca.gov/office-of-thedirector/operations/response-operations/fire-rescue/hazardous-materials/spill-release-reporting/, accessed August 18, 2022. 93 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, SONGS Steam Generator Tube Degradation, https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/tube-degradation.html, updated March 11, 2020, accessed October 8, 2024. 482
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No federally declared disasters related to hazardous materials/nuclear release have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Terrorism/Cyberattacks
The City of San Clemente has not previously experienced any terrorist attacks. Similarly, the City of San Clemente has not previously experienced a major cyberattack, however the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) which services the planning area was struck with a major cyberattack in 2016. The cyberattack cost over $600,000 and disabled dozens of computer servers for days including a total shutdown of email, voicemail, and numerous other services.94 Transportation services, however, were still functioning normally, and no personal information, such as social security numbers or credit card information, was stolen.

No federally declared disasters related to terrorism/cyberattacks have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
Civil disturbance/civil unrest is a rare occurrence in San Clemente, with only a few recent incidents affecting the City. The following incidents involving acts of civil disorder or civil disturbance have affected the planning area over the last five years:
x June 28, 2022 – Protest following U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. x May 21, 2020 – Crowd gathers to protest Covid-19 stay-at-home orders; eight arrested. x April 19, 2020 – Crowd gathers to protest Covid-19 stay-at-home orders. x September 24, 2020 – Crowd gathers to protest the fatal shooting of a homeless man.

No federally declared disasters related to civil disorder/civil disturbance have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Pandemic
In 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic began in Wuhan, China before becoming a global pandemic that would infect over 775 million people and claim the lives of over 7 million.95 The entire population of the City of San Clemente was impacted by this event, and the City was included in the federal disaster declaration issued for this hazard event by FEMA.

San Clemente experienced significant impacts from the Covid-19 Pandemic. A novel coronavirus disease, namely SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19, was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

By March 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide stay at home order, prohibiting all 94 Voice of OC, Transportation Authority Kept Secret Cyber Attacker That Cost $600,000, https://voiceofoc.org/2024/06/santanacyber-attacking-your-right-toknow/#:~:text=Here%20in%20Orange%20County%2C%20we%20have%20some%20experience,cybersecurity%20dealings%20wit h%20large%20agencies.&text=And%20thanks%20to%20the%20reporting,out%20computer%20servers%20for%20days., published August 2, 2016, accessed July 10, 2024
95 World Health Organization, WHO Covid-19 Dashboard, https://data.who.int/dashboards/Covid19/deaths?n=o, accessed July 9, 2024.
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people in the State of California from leaving their homes apart from essential services and limiting the operations of non-essential businesses.

At the time this document was prepared, 8,680 known deaths in Orange County have been attributed to Covid-19.96 As part of the response to slow the spread of the virus, non-essential businesses and schools were closed or transitioned to remote environments, if feasible. A significant milestone and improvement against the pandemic came in December of 2020 with the release of the Covid-19 vaccine. The City of San Clemente and County of Orange made various resources available based on guidance from the WHO, CDC, and California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Mask mandates were issued for indoor spaces, and proof of vaccination requirements were established for certain activities to help stop transmission. Generally, the pandemic resulted in significant economic and public health impacts that are still reverberating throughout the City. At the time of this writing, Covid-19 is a seasonally recurring issue as vaccines, masks, and social distancing has made disease transmission and treatment much more manageable.

Before Covid-19, the most recent pandemic occurred in 2009: the (H1N1) pdm09, “swine flu” pandemic.97 H1N1pdm09 primarily affected children and young/middle-aged adults, atypical from most influenza pandemics. Between April 2009 and April 2010, the CDC estimates over 60 million cases, nearly 275,000 hospitalizations, and over 12,000 deaths affected the United States population. The World Health Organization declared an end to the global pandemic in August 2010; however, the virus continues to circulate as a seasonal influenza virus.98 Both the 1968 and 1918 pandemics were caused by avian flu outbreaks. The 1968 pandemic was caused by an influenza H3N2 virus, with an estimated death toll of 116,000 in the United States and an estimated worldwide toll of 1.1 million.99 Medical advances in the 1960s including antiviral medications and expanded influenza vaccine options significantly helped to combat this pandemic. The 1918 pandemic was an outbreak of influenza caused by an H1N1 virus. The virus spread worldwide from 1918-1919. It is estimated that one third of the worldwide population at the time, about 500 million people, became infected with the virus. The pandemic resulted in an estimated 675,000 deaths in the United States alone and over 50 million deaths worldwide.100 In the last five years, two FEMA-declared disasters for the pandemic hazard have affected the planning area:
x DR-3428-CA: Covid-19 Pandemic – March 13, 2020
x DR-4482-CA: Covid-19 Pandemic – March 22, 2020
Refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area for a full list of federally declared disasters affecting the planning area. 96 OC Healthcare Agency, Orange County Covid-19 Dashboard, https://ochealthdata.com/dashboard/Covid-dashboard, accessed July 9, 2024.
97 CDC, Origin of 2009 H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu): Questions and Answers, https://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/information_h1n1_virus_qa.htm, published November 25, 2009, accessed July 9, 2024.
98 CDC, Past Pandemics, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/past-pandemics.html, accessed July 9, 2024. 99 Ibid. 100 Ibid.
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Train Derailment
Currently, there have been no train derailment incidents in the City of San Clemente, however several coastal landslides have caused suspension of rail service:
x In September 2022 – January 23, 2023, all rail service through the City of San Clemente was suspended due to coastal erosion as the ground under the tracks shifted. 101 x On January 23, 2023 – April 17, 2023, partial train service between San Diego and Los Angeles resumed. After April 17, 2023, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner resumed full service. x On March 25, 2024, the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner resumed limited-service.102 No federally declared disasters related to train derailment have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Hazardous Materials Spill/Nuclear Release
Hazardous materials use and transport throughout the City of San Clemente will continue in the future and thus the possibility of a hazardous materials release will continue to be a concern. The probability of However, federal, State, and local governments implement applicable polices and regulations regarding the use, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials in order to mitigate the risk of a hazardous materials release. The City participates in a household hazardous waste disposal program, set up by Orange County in accordance with the California Integrated Solid Waste Management Act of 1989. There are four household hazardous waste disposal facilities in the County: Anaheim Collection Center; Huntington Beach Collection Center; Irvine Collection Center; and San Juan Capistrano Collection Center. The San Juan Capistrano facility is closest to the City of San Clemente.

Both the federal government and the State require hazardous materials handling to be reported with the local Certified Unified Program Agency, a local agency certified by the California Environmental Protection Agency to implement and enforce hazardous materials management programs.103 Many different industries handle hazardous materials as part of day-to-day operations, and each agency/company are responsible to follow policies and programs dictated by federal and State regulation to ensure that hazardous materials are not released into the environment. Because of the preventative action taken by the City, State, and federal agencies and private industries, the probability is considered somewhat likely. A probability of somewhat likely indicates a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. The likelihood for future hazardous materials spills is considered medium.

Terrorism/Cyberattacks
The probability of a terrorist attack/cyberattack in the City of San Clemente is considered somewhat likely. A probability of somewhat likely indicates a 1% to 10% probability of terrorist 101 Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Weekend Pacific Sufliner Service to Resume on Feb 4., https://news.pacificsurfliner.com/2023-01-23- Weekend-Pacific-Surfliner-Service-to-Resume-on-Feb-4, published January 23, 2023, accessed September 16, 2024. 102 Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Rail Service Set to Resume Monday, March 25, Through San Clemente, https://news.pacificsurfliner.com/2024-03-19-Rail-Service-Set-to-Resume-Monday,-March-25-Through-San-Clemente, published March 19, 2024, accessed September 16, 2024.
103 Department of Toxic Substances Control, Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA), https://dtsc.ca.gov/certified-unifiedprogram-agencies-cupa/, accessed August 18, 2022. 485
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attack/cyberattack occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years.

However, because of the dynamic nature of a terrorist threat, terrorism can occur without warning and may occur in any area within the City. The prevalent use of technology and the Internet increases the likelihood for cyberterrorism. Targets of cyberterrorism, particularly industries including governments, businesses, healthcare or medical facilities, financial institutions, educational institutions, and/or public utilities implement cybersecurity measures to prevent cyberterrorism. Thus, the probability and likelihood for cyberterrorism or cyber-attacks is considered medium.

Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
Civil unrest incidents occur throughout the country and worldwide for varying reasons and causes.

In the current political and social climate, it is reasonable to assume that lawful protests, lawful assembly, and civil unrest will continue, because lawful protests are protected under the First Amendment. However, lawful assembly can quickly erupt into civil unrest making it difficult to predict when intervention from law enforcement will be necessary. The presence of law enforcement at protests is a standard preemptive measure to mitigate civil unrest. Additionally, increased vigilance and increased intelligence gathering methods can be used by law enforcement in San Clemente to better prepare for gatherings that may result in civil disturbance/civil unrest. Because of the nature of civil disturbance and civil unrest and the linkages to political, social, racial and or environmental movements, the probability is considered somewhat likely with a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. The likelihood of future occurrences is considered medium.

Pandemic
The likelihood of pandemics has increased over the last hundred years due to increased globalization, urbanization, and changes in land use. Another potential key contributor to an increased likelihood of pandemics is factory farming. The shift from small scale animal agriculture to large factory farming operations may be a driving factor in recent pandemic diseases and may cause the next pandemic. For these reasons, the probability of future occurrences is considered somewhat likely. A probability of somewhat likely indicates a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. However, the exact time and location that another virus with the potential to create a global pandemic would occur is difficult to predict.

Future pandemic occurrences would likely result from a mutation of a virus that results in a new virus to which the population has no immunity. With medical technology, it is possible to anticipate new viruses and develop vaccines to prepare for the next outbreak; however, entirely preventing a pandemic through preemptive measures is unlikely.

Train Derailment
As the BSNF railway uses the LOSSAN rail corridor which may transport hazardous materials, train derailment can be a potential source of hazardous material releases in the future. The City considered the probability of a train derailment to somewhat likely occur. A probability of somewhat likely indicates a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with train derailment events based upon a somewhat likely probability and limited impacts of future events. 486
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Hazardous Materials Spill/Nuclear Release
Accidental hazardous materials releases are usually caused by human error, unrelated with climate change. However, hazardous materials releases can be a secondary impact as a result of infrastructure failure during a natural hazard event, such as a wildfire or severe storm. Climate change could cause an increase in destructive natural hazards in the City and surrounding region, and thus risk future hazardous materials spills. Further, hazardous materials releases during wildfire or severe weather events could spread contamination to large geographic areas and amplify long-term impacts to human and ecological health. Spills or releases in challenging cleanup conditions can result in more severe damage or impacts compared to spills during normal conditions.

Terrorism/Cyberattacks
As terrorism and sabotage events are human caused, these types of hazards are not directly tied to climate change impacts. However, the interaction of natural hazards and global climate change could increase the frequency and severity of events. Significant and prolonged climate change impacts can cause conflicts regarding natural resources and livelihood insecurity, as well as food insecurity or water scarcity. Terrorist organizations could operate more easily in fragile and conflict-affected environments, according to the Climate Diplomacy Organization.104 Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
Similar to terrorism and cyber-attack, civil disturbance/civil unrest are human-caused hazards and are not directly tied to climate change impacts. However, environmental concerns and climate change implications could drive conflict on a local, regional, or global scale. Academic research has connected climate change influenced droughts to periods of societal unrest over the course of many centuries. Most recently, research from Colombia University links climate change and unprecedented drought as they key societal stressor that led to uprisings and initiated the Syrian Civil War. Vulnerability associated with limited resources can make periods of civil unrest more likely to occur in the future. Additionally, more and more demonstrations are centered around the environment and climate change. As climate change continues, protests and demonstrations may become more extreme, escalating to civil unrest.

Pandemic
While pandemics typically originate for reasons outside of climate change, it is possible that the impacts of climate change will make pandemics more severe. According to the National Science Foundation, climate change will likely require humans to relocate and wild animals to find new habitats, dramatically increasing the risk of viral jumps/transmissions. For example, rising temperatures are expected to have a major impact on bats – a species known for novel virus sharing, most recently with Covid-19 or the Ebola virus.105 Furthermore, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public 104 Climate Diplomacy Organization, Insurgency, Terrorism and Organized Crime in a Warming Climate, https://www.climatediplomacy.org/publications/insurgency-terrorism-and-organised-crime-warming-climate, accessed August 18, 2022. 105 National Science Foundation, Study finds that climate change could spark the next pandemic, https://beta.nsf.gov/news/studyfinds-climate-change-could-spark-next, accessed July 9, 2023. 487
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Health, increases in climate change and development such as rising temperatures and deforestation for agricultural purposes contribute to habitat loss worldwide.106 Consequently, the loss of habitat forces animals to migrate and potentially face additional contact with other animals and humans, increasing the risk of disease transmission. When coupled with increased urbanization and globalization, pandemics could continue to spread as quickly or more quickly than the Covid-19 pandemic. While the full effects of climate change on pandemics are not fully known, it is reasonable to assume the risk for future pandemics continues to exist.

Train Derailment
Climate change can impact the stability and safety of railroads that can increase the risk of train derailment. Conditions such as extreme heat, extreme cold, flooding and drought can increase the chances of train derailment. In extreme heat conditions, high temperatures can cause the metal in rail to expand and buckle causing sun kinks which misalign tracks and derail trains.107,108 Flooding from heavy rains can erode the ground beneath tracks, destabilizing them allowing for tracks to slip.109 Prolonged dry conditions such as drought can dry out the soil, leading to subsidence and sinking which may misalign tracks.110 Specifically to the planning area, as more heavy rains may induce landslides, debris may fall onto the tracks causing future train derailment.

As coastal erosion increases, this may destabilize and shift the tracks along the beaches.

Hazardous Materials Spill/Nuclear Release
Hazardous materials spills may occur anywhere within the planning area, and a nuclear release would have a large or event regional impact depending on the nature of the nuclear release. Due to the proximity of the SONGS to the City, the entire planning area may be vulnerable to the plant’s radiation. Vulnerable areas for hazardous materials spills or nuclear release are not geographically defined and thus it is reasonable to assume that the entire City of San Clemente is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings and the entire population of 64,232 people.

A hazardous materials spill or radioactive release from a nuclear power plant could potentially have severe consequences for City residents, businesses, critical infrastructure, and natural resources in San Clemente. Residents may face health risks from exposure, necessitating evacuations and long-term medical monitoring. Businesses could suffer from operational disruptions and economic losses, while critical infrastructure like water and power supplies might 106 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Coronavirus and Climate Change, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/cchange/subtopics/coronavirus-and-climate-change, accessed July 9, 2024. 107 U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration, FRA’s Climate and Sustainability Program, https://railroads.dot.gov/rail-network-development/environment/fras-climate-and-sustainabilityprogram#:~:text=Threats%20from%20climate%20change%20include,infrastructure%20near%20rivers%20and%20valleys, updated September 19, 2024, accessed September 19, 2024.
108 Climate Central, Derailments May Increase as ‘Sun Kinks’ Buckle Tracks, https://www.climatecentral.org/news/climate-changewarp-railroad-tracks-sun-kinks-17470, accessed September 19, 2024. 109 Inside Climate News, Climate Change Poses a Huge Threat to Railroads. Environmental Engineers Have Ideas for How to Combat That, https://insideclimatenews.org/news/08042022/climate-change-railroads-adaptation/, published April 8, 2022, accessed September 19, 2024.
110 Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Railroads,
https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/docs/rossetti_CC_Impact_Railroads.pdf, accessed September 19, 2024. 488
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be compromised. Natural resources, including local wildlife and water bodies, could be contaminated, leading to long-term ecological damage. Cleanup and emergency response efforts would be complex and resource-intensive, potentially hindered by the need for specialized equipment and personnel, as well as the ongoing risk of exposure to hazardous materials.

Terrorism/Cyberattacks
Specifically vulnerable areas for terrorism are not geographically defined and thus it is reasonable to assume that the entire City of San Clemente is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings, and the entire population of 64,232 people.

Terrorism attacks may either focus on places where people gather or target schools and/or Cityowned facilities or public infrastructure (such as substations, transportation infrastructure, or water reservoirs). In a worst-case scenario, such attacks could result in significant casualties, extensive property damage, and long-term disruptions to essential services. Depending on the nature of the attack, impacts could be widespread throughout the planning area or highly localized. Additionally, the City could be vulnerable to impacts from terrorism or cyberattack incidents outside of the planning area but within the greater Orange County region, potentially causing cascading effects that strain local resources and emergency response capabilities.

Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
Specifically vulnerable areas for civil disturbances or acts of civil unrest are not geographically defined and thus it is reasonable to assume that the entire City of San Clemente is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings, and the entire population of 64,232 people. City assets viewed as symbols of government authority may be particularly vulnerable, as incidents of civil unrest are most often focused on challenging decisions or actions of government authorities.

As acts of civil unrest are often perpetrated around population centers or downtown areas where protests are most visible to the general public and local authorities, businesses located in Downtown San Clemente may face increased vulnerability to theft, looting, arson, or other criminal activity depending upon the intent and severity of a civil disturbance. Depending upon the political nature of an act of civil unrest, outside individuals with interest in the political outrage at hand may enter the City to participate in the act of civil disturbance. Large-scale acts of civil unrest may present additional vulnerabilities to City assets.

Pandemic
Due to the nature of this hazard, areas vulnerable to pandemic or infectious disease are not geographically defined and thus it is reasonable to assume that the entire City of San Clemente is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings, and the entire population of 64,232 people.

Physical structures are not typically vulnerable to pandemics; thus, a failure of a critical facility due to pandemic is unlikely. The main concern for pandemic vulnerability is the impact on human health, and critical facilities support in minimizing this impact. Health and medical community lifelines may be strained in response to a pandemic. Health impacts may be widespread 489
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throughout the City and impact a significant percentage of the population. Additionally, pandemics may result in significant economic impacts to the City, businesses, and residents. Depending on the size and scale of the disease outbreak, the City or other emergency responders may experience staffing challenges to continue services. Additionally, areas with a higher population density have an increased risk of exposure or transmission of disease due to closer proximity to potentially infected people.

Train Derailment
Specifically vulnerable areas for the train derailment hazard are not geographically defined and thus it is reasonable to assume that the entire City of San Clemente is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings and the entire population of 64,232 people. In particular, the San Clemente Pier, San Clemente Coastal Trail, businesses in Downtown San Clemente, the Metrolink and Amtrak stations, and beaches and parks in the vicinity of the train tracks are all vulnerable to the train derailment hazard.

A train derailment involving hazardous materials could have devastating effects on San Clemente, exposing residents to serious health hazards leading to necessary evacuations and ongoing medical surveillance. Businesses could experience significant operational disruptions and financial losses, while essential infrastructure such as water and power systems could be severely impacted. The local environment, including wildlife and water sources, could suffer from contamination, resulting in long-term ecological harm. The cleanup and emergency response would be highly complex and resource-demanding, requiring specialized equipment and personnel, and would be further complicated by the persistent danger of hazardous material exposure.

Looking forward, the City anticipates the majority of population growth and development to occur within established and urbanized neighborhoods. All neighborhoods would be potentially vulnerable to human-caused hazards. Based on anticipated population growth and development, it is reasonable to assume that vulnerability to all human-caused hazards – including hazardous materials spill/nuclear release, terrorism/cyberattacks, civil disturbance/civil unrest, pandemic, 490
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and train derailment – within San Clemente will increase over the 5-year planning period of this LHMP due to population growth.

The impacts of human-caused hazards would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tracts 42108, 42107, 42201; cost-burdened residents spending 30%+ of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations over age five who speak English “less than well”; and tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations.

These SVPs are located throughout the planning area and face their own unique challenges to human-caused hazards. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be the resources and ability to prepare for and recover from human-caused hazards as well as access to emergency services.

Nuclear releases and incidents of train derailment involving hazardous material spills may disproportionately impact SVPs by exposing them to toxic chemicals, which can cause serious health issues such as respiratory problems, skin irritation, and long-term illnesses. SVPs often have limited resources to respond to and recover from such incidents and may face barriers in accessing timely information and emergency services. Additionally, the displacement caused by spills can be particularly challenging for those with mobility issues, financial constraints, or lack of local knowledge, further exacerbating their vulnerability.

SVPs would potentially face similar challenges in the event of an act of civil unrest, a terrorist attack or a cyberattack. Specifically, cost-burdened and uninsured residents may be unable to afford cybersecurity measures for their devices and face financial strain that inhibits their ability to afford medical costs if injured during an act of terrorism or civil unrest. Minorities and those with limited English proficiency may face language and cultural differences that impact access to timely information such as warnings and alerts. Disabled patients in congregate care are particularly vulnerable to terrorism or civil disorder due to their limited mobility, dependence on caregivers, and complex medical needs. Terrorist threats can significantly impact tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations by creating confusion and panic due to their unfamiliarity with the area and local emergency procedures. These groups may lack access to timely information and resources, making it difficult for them to respond effectively and increasing their vulnerability during such incidents.

Pandemics and infectious disease outbreaks can have significant impacts on SVPs located throughout the City. Diseases and pandemics can disproportionately affect cost-burdened and uninsured residents by limiting their access to healthcare and preventive measures, leading to higher infection rates and more severe health outcomes. Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations may face disproportionate impacts due to their potential lack of access to consistent healthcare services. This can lead to rapid disease spread and challenges in receiving timely medical care.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5.0. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8 and #12, to mitigate the impacts of human-caused hazards on SVPs including the resources and ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from these hazards. 491
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Landslide and Slope Failure
Landslide is a generalized term for a falling mass of soil or rocks. When a hillside or slope becomes unstable, downslope movement of rock and soil occurs under the direct influence of gravity. Landslides are often sudden, although some occur very slowly over a long period of time.

Loose and fractured materials are more likely to slide than compact materials or solid rock, and steep slopes are at greater risk than gentle rises.

Landslides are usually induced by either earthquakes or saturated slopes. The shaking of an earthquake can decrease slope stability, or in a more severe instance, fracture the earth material enough that the material slides. Moisture-induced landslides can occur when the ground soaks up enough water that the soil becomes loose and unstable. This is often the result of intense or long-lasting rainfall, but can also result from a pipeline burst or overwatering landscapes. Loss of vegetation to fire or drought many cause an area to be more vulnerable to landslides. Vegetation holds soil in place and without the root system of trees, bushes, and other plants, the land is more likely to slide away.111
One type of landslide that is different from debris flows or rock flows are deep-seated landslides.

Deep-seated landslides are not necessarily triggered by any single storm or earthquake. Rather, these types of landslides occur weeks to months after heavy rainfall ends, when water has had time to percolate deeper under the surface to saturate weak zones of rock. This creates a “landslide plane” under the saturated weight of the overlying rock and soil.112 The landslide plane may often be associated with earlier slides and can occur regardless of whether rain is occurring or not. As these landslides begin so deeply, they tend to carry more material and cover more territory than other types of slides. Deep-seated landslides generally occur on moderately steep slopes, travel much slower than mudflows or debris flows, and can continue for several days.

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

In addition, sinkholes are a related geologic hazard that regularly affect the planning area.

Sinkholes are depressions in the ground that form when the underlying rock and soil has been dissolved, eroded, or saturated by water and collapses. A sinkhole has no natural external surface drainage, thus all water remains in the sinkhole and typically drains into the subsurface.113 While sinkholes can naturally occur due to weathering and erosion of surface rock (especially limestone), sinkholes are most often triggered in the planning area by heavy rains over known historic mines.
111 National Geographic Society, Landslide, https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/landslide/, updated 2024, accessed June 28, 2024.
112 California Department of Conservation, 2023 California Landslide Response, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/landslides/2023, accessed August 14, 2024. 113 USGS, What is a sinkhole? https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-a-sinkholem, accessed June 28, 2024. 492
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Mudslides
Mudslides, also known as debris flows or mudflows, are a common type of fast-moving landslide that tends to flow in channels.114 A debris flow is a river of rock, earth, mud, and other debris, including saturated vegetation. While landslides can occur without the presence of soil (such as a rock landslide), mudflows consist of material that contains at least 50% sand, silt and clay-sized particles. The high percentage of water gives the debris flow a rapid rate of movement down a slope, posing extremely dangerous conditions to people and property. Debris flows normally occur when a landslide moves down slope as a semi-fluid mass scouring or partially scouring soils from the slope. Flows triggered by earthquakes or heavy rainfall, can occur on gentle slopes, and can move rapidly for large distances.

Wildland fires on hills covered with chaparral are often a precursor to debris flows in burned out canyons. The extreme heat of a wildfire can create impervious soil conditions by forming a waxy layer below the ground surface. Because water cannot be absorbed into the soil, water rapidly accumulates on the surface, gathering loose particles of soil into a sheet of mud and debris while traveling down the slope. Debris flows can often originate miles away, traveling at high rates of speed with little forewarning.

Landslide potential zones are mapped throughout the City of San Clemente refer to Figure 4-14, Landslide Hazard Zone. Mapped landslide risk areas primarily include steep slopes located throughout the City, particularly the residential and commercial areas along the coast of the City.

Additionally, risk areas occur inland in canyons of the City.

The City is also susceptible to deep-seated landslides as seen in Figure 4-15, Deep-Seated Landslide Susceptibility. A majority of the City is classified from Class VIII to Class X for deepseated landslide susceptibility of the City. The highest susceptible areas are in the hillsides of the City as well as various coastal areas.

The extent of a landslide incident is largely dependent on the quantity of slope failure, measured in cubic meters or yards. Greater landslide extents will be associated with larger quantities of slope failure.
114 California Department of Public Health, Landslides and Mudslides, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/BI_NaturalDisasters_Landslides-andMudslides.aspx#:~:text=Landslides%20are%20caused%20by%20disturbances,soaked%20rock%2C%20earth%20and%20debris, accessed June 28, 2024.
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Figure 4-14
Landslide Hazard Zone
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Figure 4-15
Deep-Seated Landslide Susceptibility
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The City of San Clemente has experienced several major landslides within the last six years (Table 4-12, Landslides in City of San Clemente from 2018 – 2024).

Table 4-12
Landslides in the City of San Clemente from 2018 – 2024 Timeframe Location Description
February 2018 Inland A church atop Calle Frontera lost approximately 55 parking spaces to a landslide that began slowly moving since 2017. The landslide created a chasm made the area unsafe for public access.115 November 2019 Coastal Section of beach-front hillside in San Clemente collapsed prompting closure of a beach trail boardwalk at Mariposa Point.116 The trail was reopened in June 2020.117
October 2021 Coastal A landslide caused the tracks south of the San Clemente pier to become misaligned, while a big swell tide event caused ground movement, cracking walls in homes and parking lots on the bluff above the tracks.118 OCTA placed a monitoring system to detect landslide movement.

December 2021 Coastal The monitor detected landslide movement prompting an additional need for more rip rap.

September 2022 Coastal Railroad service halted as the ground under the tracks shifted. The project emergency repair project cost around $12 million and consisted of adding boulders on the ocean side of the beachfront tracks.119
March 2023 Coastal Three clifftop apartment buildings and one nearby building near the coast were red tagged and evacuated when land began to shift and slide away from their backyards down a hillside following torrential rains.120 About two dozen people were forced to evacuate.121
March 2023 Inland Signs of a potential sinkhole at the northbound side of the I-5 freeway at Avenida Vista Hermosa caused three lanes to be closed for over 8 hours as Caltrans addressed repairs. 122 115 The Orange County Register, Chasm widens in parking lot of hilltop San Clemente church, https://www.ocregister.com/2018/02/28/chasm-widens-in-parking-lot-of-hilltop-san-clemente-church/, published February 28, 2018, accessed August 14, 2024.
116 ABC 7, After San Clemente landslide, crews watching carefully as rain approaches, https://abc7.com/san-clemente-landslidemariposa-point-flooding-rain/5707963/, published November 19, 2019, accessed June 26, 2024. 117 The Orange County Register, Popular San Clemente beach trail bridge reopens after landslide closure, https://www.ocregister.com/2020/06/25/popular-san-clemente-beach-trail-bridge-re-opens-after-landslide-closure/, published June 25, 2020, accessed June 26, 2024.
118 The Orange County Register, After landslide, train service set to resume through South Orange County, https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/01/after-landslide-train-service-set-to-resume-through-south-orange-county/, updated October 1, 2021, accessed August 14, 2024.
119 The Orange County Register, OCTA update: Rail service through San Clemente could resume by February, https://www.ocregister.com/2022/12/15/octa-update-rail-service-through-san-clemente-could-resume-by-february/, updated December 16, 2022, accessed August 14, 2024.
120 Fox 5, San Clemente buildings still in peril from tumbling cliff, https://fox5sandiego.com/news/california-news/san-clementebuildings-still-in-peril-from-tumbling-cliff/, published March 17, 2023, accessed June 26, 2024. 121 Ibid. 122 The Orange County Register, 5 Freeway in San Clemente reopens after sinkhole scare, https://www.ocregister.com/2023/03/21/sinkhole-may-be-forming-on-5-freeway-near-san-clemente-authorities-say/, published March 21, 2023, accessed June 26, 2024.
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Timeframe Location Description
April 2023 Coastal The slope below Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens in the City of Clemente dropped about 20 ft (roughly 6 meters) after several days of minor earth movement.123 Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens consequently temporarily closed and canceled all events.124 Four units in an adjacent building were initially red-tagged as unsafe and then overnight all 24 units were evacuated as the hillside continued to move. Six of the units are residential while the other 18 are vacation rentals.125 Falling debris halted Metrolink and Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner services located on shoreline tracks at the base of the cliff. Train service was only recently restored after months of stabilizing repairs along a stretch of track in south San Clemente. OCTA reported that tracks were shifting due to storm surge and sand erosion on the ocean side and gradually sliding hillside on the other.126 Rail lines remained closed into June 2023.

January 2024 Coastal A landslide caused damage to the Mariposa Bridge and ceased the Metrolink and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner services between Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo and Oceanside stations. The Mariposa Bridge was sliding for several weeks before it finally gave way on January 24, 2024. The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner resumed limited-service March 8, 2024.127
February 2024 Inland Part of a cul-de-sac on Avenida Columbo dropped about five feet and sent mud and debris at least 150 feet below from the PresidioColumbo neighborhood of the City.128 An active landslide on private property already had ongoing movement for several decades and had damaged two homes.

In the last five years, two FEMA-declared disasters for landslide and slope failure have affected the planning area:
x DR-3591-CA: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides – January 9, 2023 x DR-3592-CA: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides and Mudslides – March 10, 2023
Refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area for a full list of federally declared disasters affecting the planning area. 123 ABC 7, 24 condos red-tagged due to landslide threatening historic Casa Romantica in San Clemente, https://abc7.com/sanclemente-casa-romantica-landslide-orange-county/13193872/, published April 24, 2023, accessed June 26, 2024. 124 AP, California landslide halts rail service, homes evacuated, https://apnews.com/article/san-clemente-landslide-california-casaromantica-35e88e55f6376b23d009ad93d4c70871, published April 28, 2024, accessed June 26, 2024. 125 Ibid. 126 Ibid. 127 Los Angeles Times, After landslides, passenger train service resumes along troubled Orange County rail line, https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-03-06/after-landslides-train-service-resumes-along-troubled-orange-county-rail-line, published March 6, 2024, accessed June 26, 2024.
128 The Orange County Register, Landslide dumps dirt 150 feet in San Clemente, debris came down near tidepools in Dana Point, https://www.ocregister.com/2024/02/09/landslide-dumps-dirt-150-feet-in-san-clemente-debris-came-down-near-tidepools-in-danapoint/, updated February 13, 2024, accessed August 14, 2024. 497
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Given the location of the City and previous occurrences, the probability of landslides, mudslides, and slope failure continuing to occur within the City of San Clemente is considered likely. A likely probability means there is a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a high hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with landslide and slope failure based upon a likely probability and widespread expected impacts of future events.

Throughout the planning area, much of the coastal areas is susceptible to landside while the inland portion has canyons. The City is also considered to face significant vulnerability to the wildfire hazard, which then increases the likelihood of mudslides on wildfire burn scars. While there is no mapped burn scar within the City, a future wildfire incident could increase mudslide probability.

Landslides are generally caused by one of two factors, seismic activity, and soil saturation.

Earthquakes and ground shaking are not linked to climate change, however heavy rains are affected by climate change and understood to contribute to saturated soils and landslides. Climate change is linked to increased precipitation and more frequent and/or severe storms. California is already experiencing climate changing impacts with increasing variable precipitations and becoming the highest variability of year-to-year precipitation in the contiguous United States.129 Increased rainfall due to climate change will lead to saturated slopes, erosion, and likely will exacerbate the effects of landslide and mudslides within the planning area.

As mudslides are affected by rain, sea levels and wildfire, climate change can indirectly increase the risk of mudslides.130 As climate change affects the severity and intensity of wildfires, more vegetation is burned reducing soil stability. This allows for more debris to slide down during a mudslide.

Sinkholes are also likely to be exacerbated by climate change. Increased rainfall and storm events may lead to more frequent flooding and bedrock erosion which contribute to sinkholes. These changes will also lead to increased stress on the tunnels and mined that underlie the City.

Damaged or eroded drainages and tunnels, coupled with increased rainfall and storm events brought on by climate change are likely to result in larger sinkholes or more frequent occurrences.

Nearly the entire planning area of the City of San Clemente is composed of potentially unstable soils that are conducive to landslide and slope failure conditions. Past landslide events within the City have caused major property damage and significant impacts to City residents, and residents continue to face widespread vulnerability to the landslide and slope failure hazards. Hazard vulnerability for the landslide and slope failure hazard is greatest within the City east of the I-5 freeway, covering large swaths of residential neighborhoods along Camino De Los Mares, Avenida Vista Hermosa, Avenida Pico, and Avenida La Pata. City assets inside of the I-5 near the 129 California Climate Adaptation Strategy, Summary of Projected Climate Change Impacts on California, https://climateresilience.ca.gov/overview/impacts.html#:~:text=California%20is%20already%20experiencing%20the,have%20increa sed%20as%20temperatures%20warm, accessed June 28, 2024. 130 The Atlantic, A Recipe for Climate Disaster, https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/03/climate-change-heavy-rainlandslides-flood/629404/, published March 29, 2022, accessed August 14, 2024. 498
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Pacific Ocean face comparatively less vulnerability than the hills, as expected, but hazard zones do exist along the coastline and near the San Clemente Pier. Deep-seated landslide susceptibility has been identified across the entire planning area, with a high percentage of the City facing Class IX or Class X deep-seated landslide susceptibility.

Additionally, commercial and residential areas would potentially be impacted by landslide.

Approximately 16,293 residential units are located within the landslide hazard area. Vulnerable residential units multiplied by the average 2.7 persons per household for San Clemente indicates that approximately 43,991 people reside in a landslide hazard zone. Additionally, over 267 thousand square feet of non-residential structures are located within the landslide hazard area. A total of 68 critical facilities are located within the mapped hazard area, with safety and security community lifeline facilities facing the greatest vulnerability at 43 facilities in the hazard zone.

Critical facilities located within the City’s identified landslide hazard zone have been listed in Table 4-13, Critical Facilities in Landslide Hazard Zone.

Table 4-13
Critical Facilities in Landslide Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 1 Animal Shelter Government
Service Safety and Security $1,917,850
2 Baron Von Willard Dog
Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $560,000
5 Beach
Restrooms/Concessions
- T-Street North
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
7 Base of Pier Restrooms Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
8 Bernice Ayer Middle
School Public School Safety and Security $44,686,000
9 Bonito Canyon Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $5,220,000
10 Boys and Girls Club Nonprofit/NGO Safety and Security $1,917,850 11 Canyon View Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $305,000
12 Califia Beach Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security Not Available
13 Casa Romantica Government
Service Safety and Security Not Available
15 City Municipal Pier &
Lifeguard Tower Zero Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 16 Clarence Lobo
Elementary School Public School Safety and Security $43,674,000 19 Family Assistance
Ministries Nonprofit/NGO Health and Medical $4,064,100
21 Fire Station 59 Fire Service Safety and Security $1,630,720 23 Forster Ranch
Community Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $13,525,000
499
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Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 26 Leslie Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $100,000
27 Liberty Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $4,500,000
30 Lifeguard Tower 5 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 34 Maintenance Services Government
Service Safety and Security $4,064,100
36 Marblehead Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $2,065,000
37 Marine Safety Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 39 MEDHERO Urgent Care Urgent Care Health and Medical $3,000,695 43 Ole Hanson Beach Club
and Pool
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security Not Available
44 Our Lady of Fatima
Academy Private School Safety and Security $3,603,600
45 Palisades Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems Not Available 46 Parque Del Mar Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $1,520,000
47 Pico Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $1,025,000
49 Pump Station at
Pico/Amanecer
Wastewater
Management Water Systems $525,000
50 Ralphs Skate Court Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $355,000
51 Rancho San Clemente
Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $3,230,000
52 Richard T. Steed
Memorial Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $18,595,000
53 San Clemente City Hall
and Police Station
Government
Service Safety and Security $7,276,800
54 San Clemente High
School Public School Safety and Security $47,546,000
55 San Clemente High
School Upper Public School Safety and Security *Cost included with Critical Facility #54 58 San Clemente Pier
Amtrak Station Transportation Safety and Security Not Available 59 San Clemente State
Beach
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security Not Available
61 San Gorgonio Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $11,385,000
64 Sewer Plant
Maintenance Yard
Wastewater
Management Water Systems $4,064,100
67 South County Urgent
Care Urgent Care Health and Medical $3,000,695
68 Talega Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $2,675,000
500
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Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 71 Truman Benedict
Elementary School Public School Safety and Security $36,525,000 73 United States Postal
Service
Government
Service Safety and Security Not Available
74 Verde Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $1,740,000
75 Vista Bahia Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $1,075,000
76 Vista Del Mar
Elementary and Middle
School
Public School Safety and Security $94,469,000
77 Vista Del Sol Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $315,000
78 Vista Hermosa Sports
Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $33,000,000
79 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 80 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 81 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 82 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 83 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 84 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 85 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 86 Water Well Potable Water Water Systems $400,000
88 Mission Heritage
Primary Care Medical Facility Health and Medical $3,000,695 89 Camino Health Center Medical Facility Health and Medical $3,000,695 90 M01 Outfall Wastewater
Management Transportation Not Available
96 Segunda Deshecha
Canada Culvert (Calle
Frontera)
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $2,336,240
100
Segunda Deshecha
Canada Beam Bridge
(Avenida Vista
Hermosa)
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $25,440,000
101
Segunda Deshecha
Canada Beam Bridge
(Calle Saluda)
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $14,575,000
102
Segunda Deshecha
Canada Beam Bridge
(Avenida Talega)
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $20,988,000
103 Marblehead Canyon
Beam Bridge
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $33,814,000
501
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-81
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 104
Forester Ridgeline and
Prima Deshecha Trail
Beam Bridge
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $1,282,600
105
Outlets At San
Clemente Bridge
(Entrance Into Outlets)
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $9,328,000
113 I-5 Bridge (Over
Vaquero)
Highway/
Roadway/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $26,712,000
Impacts would depend on location and severity of the event, but landslides can have significant impacts on various aspects of a community. Landslides may obstruct transportation and evacuation routes, making it difficult for residents to evacuate and for emergency responders to reach affected areas. Developed areas, including homes and businesses, can be damaged or destroyed, leading to significant economic losses and displacement of residents. Natural resources such as rivers and coasts can be altered or contaminated, affecting water quality and ecosystems. Landslides may also hinder the day-to-day operations of the City, impacting critical facilities that provide essential services like food, hydration, shelter, energy, water, communications, and security. The overall safety and well-being of residents can be compromised, necessitating a coordinated and efficient emergency response to mitigate the adverse effects.

502
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-82
People Residential Units Non-Residential
Square Footage
id ti l U
43,991.1 16,293
on Residential
267,373
Landslide Vulnerability Summary
Water System
Facilities
W
43 ater Sys
12 Systems & Infrastructure
0 5
0 8
The number of people, residential units, and non-residential development (square feet) located within the mapped landslide hazard area.

The number of critical facilities categorized by community lifeline type located within the mapped landslide hazard area.

Health & Medical
Facilities
Communications
Facilities
Safety & Security
Facilities
Hazardous
Materials Facilities
Transportation
Facilities
503
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-83
Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010. Additionally, several master-planned communities were developed and completed, including Talega and Sea Summit, which span nearly 4,000 acres and bring 4,000 new residential units to the City. Land use patterns and development trends during this period indicate a significant increase in vulnerability to landslide and slope failure.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City anticipates the majority of population growth, land use changes and development to occur within existing and established neighborhoods. Nearly all mapped neighborhoods in San Clemente intersect with mapped landslide areas, indicating increased landslide vulnerability due to potential population growth over the next five years.

Rancho San Clemente Business Park, Talega Business Park, and Camino de los Mares show the most significant intersection with landslide vulnerability areas, with significant landslide vulnerability being widespread in the hills east of the I-5 freeway.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

Mapped landslide hazards zones and deep-seated landslide susceptibility would potentially impact significant portions of the City including identified SVPs. Census Tracts 42107, 42108, 42113, 42201 have been identified as high or medium-high social vulnerability containing SVPs.

All of these census tracts intersect with mapped landslide hazard zones. Additionally, SVPs and other high-risk individuals exist throughout the planning area and may be present within landslide hazard zones despite a census tract’s social vulnerability classification. Specific SVPs and highrisk individuals that may be present throughout the planning area and landslide hazard zones include cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, populations who speak English “less than well”, tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be evacuation efforts and access to emergency services and supplies.

Cost-burdened and uninsured residents are more vulnerable to landslides due to limited financial resources, which can impede their ability to prepare adequately, such as reinforcing their homes or purchasing insurance. During a landslide, they may face challenges accessing emergency services and healthcare, and evacuations can be more complicated without reliable transportation or temporary housing options. After a landslide, the lack of insurance can make recovery and rebuilding efforts particularly difficult, exacerbating their financial and emotional stress. Ensuring equitable access to resources and support is crucial to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

Minority and limited English populations may be more vulnerable to landslides due to language barriers and socioeconomic challenges that hinder their access to critical information and 504
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resources. These barriers can complicate their ability to prepare adequately, understand evacuation orders, and access emergency and healthcare services during a crisis. Additionally, they may face greater difficulties in navigating recovery processes and securing assistance postdisaster, exacerbating the long-term impacts of the landslide. Ensuring inclusive communication and support systems is essential to mitigate these vulnerabilities.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of landslides. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make evacuation extremely challenging when faced with sudden and rapid ground movement. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted if facilities are damaged or access routes are blocked following a landslide event.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable to landslides due to their transient nature and lack of stable housing. They often have limited access to local emergency information and resources, making it difficult to prepare adequately or respond swiftly to evacuation orders. During a landslide, these groups may struggle to access emergency services and healthcare, and face significant challenges in finding temporary shelter. Postdisaster, their lack of permanent residence complicates recovery efforts, leaving them more exposed to the long-term impacts of the event. Ensuring targeted communication and support for these populations is crucial to enhance their safety and resilience.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8, #11, and #12, to mitigate landslide impacts on SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuations, and access to emergency services.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) defines an earthquake as a sudden slip on a fault and the resulting ground shaking and radiated seismic energy caused by the slip (or any other sudden stress changes in the earth).131 Faults are fractures along the earth’s crust between two blocks of earth and can be defined as a strike slip, normal, or thrust faults. Earthquakes occur without warning, and result in effects such as ground motion, liquefaction, and landslides described below.

Ground Shaking/Ground Motion
Ground motion is the movement of the earth's surface from earthquakes. Ground motion is produced by seismic waves that are generated by sudden slip on a fault or sudden pressure at the explosive source and travel through the earth and along its surface.132 Seismic waves produce ground vibrations above the surface. The severity of the vibration increases with the amount of energy released and decreases with distance from the causative fault or epicenter. Soft soils can further amplify ground motion.133
131 USGS, Earthquake Glossary – Earthquake, https://www.usgs.gov/scientific-collections/glossary-terms, accessed July 12, 2024. 132 USGS, Earthquake Glossary – Ground Motion, https://www.usgs.gov/scientific-collections/glossary-terms, accessed July 12, 2024.
133 FEMA, Multi-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment - Subpart D: Seismic Hazards, published January 1, 1997. 505
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Seismic shaking can be strong enough to result in widespread devastation or be virtually undetectable by the average person. The intensity of seismic shaking is a result of the release by the fault rupture (how much of the accumulated stress was released), the length of the rupture (the longer the slip along the fault line, the greater the shaking), and the depth at which the rupture occurs (ruptures that occur closer to the surface often cause stronger shaking). Usually, areas closest to the site of the rupture experience the greatest shaking, although differences in geology and soil can also have an impact. Seismic shaking can damage or destroy buildings and structures, and may cause partial or total collapse. Ground movement can damage or destroy infrastructure on or beneath the surface, such as roads, rail lines, and utility lines and pipes. This in turn, can cause hazardous materials releases, water main breaks, and other dangerous situations resulting from infrastructure failure. Falling debris and structures also create a risk of injury or death.

Liquefaction
Liquefaction occurs when ground shaking causes saturated soils, primarily clay-free deposits such as sand or silt, to lose strength and act like a viscous fluid. Certain soils are more susceptible to liquefaction, particularly younger and looser sediment closer to the water table. According to FEMA, liquefaction causes three types of ground failure, as described below:
x Lateral spreads involve the lateral movement of large blocks of soil as a result of liquefaction of an underlying layer. They generally develop on gentle slopes, most commonly between 0.3 and 3 degrees. Horizontal movements commonly are as much as 10 to 15 feet. However, where slopes are particularly favorable, and the duration of ground shaking is long, lateral movement may be as much as 100 to 150 feet. Lateral spread usually breaks up internally, forming numerous fissures and scarps. x Flow failures consist of liquefied soil or blocks of intact material riding on a layer of liquefied soil and are the most catastrophic type of ground failure caused by liquefaction. They commonly move several feet and up to dozens of miles under certain conditions. Flow failures usually form in loose saturated sands or silts on slopes greater than three degrees. x Loss of bearing strength occurs when the soil supporting buildings or other structures liquefies. When large deformations occur, structures settle and tip. The general subsurface geometry required for liquefaction-caused bearing failures is a layer of saturated, cohesionless soil that extends from near the ground surface to a depth equal to about the width of the building.

Ground Shaking/Ground Motion
Ground motion would be particularly damaging to residential buildings constructed of wood or reinforced masonry construction, and to mobile homes. Other buildings that do not typically perform well in earthquakes are soft-story buildings. These types of buildings have a story (typically the first floor) that lacks adequate strength or toughness due to too few shear walls. The most common measures of ground shaking during an earthquake event, the Richter Magnitude and Modified Mercalli Intensity scales, are described below. In addition, mapped areas most at risk for ground shaking are discussed below.
506
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Richter Magnitude Scale
Seismic waves are vibrations from earthquakes that travel through the earth and are recorded on seismographs. Seismographs record a zigzag trace that shows the varying amplitude of ground oscillations beneath the instrument. The time, locations, and magnitude of an earthquake can be determined from the data recorded.

The Richter Magnitude Scale was developed by Charles Richter of the California Institute of Technology in 1935 to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves created by seismographs. Magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions beginning at zero with no upper limit, as described in Table 4-14, Richter Scale of Earthquake Magnitude. It should be noted that the Richter Scale does not express damage. An earthquake in a densely populated urban area may be lower on the Richter Scale but cause considerable damage when compared to a higher magnitude earthquake in a remote location.134
Table 4-14
Richter Scale of Earthquake Magnitude
Magnitude Level Category

1.0 – 2.9 Micro

3.0 – 3.9 Micro

4.0 – 4.9 Light

5.0 – 5.9 Moderate

6.0 – 6.9 Strong

7.0 – 7.9 Major

8.0 or higher Great
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica, Richter Scale, https://www.britannica.com/science/Richter-scale, accessed July 12, 2024.

Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale
The effect of earthquakes on the earth’s surface is referred to as intensity. The intensity scale consists of a series of certain key responses such as people awakening from sleep, movement of furniture, damage to chimneys, and destruction. Although numerous scales have been developed to evaluate earthquake effects, the scale currently used in the United States is the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale (MMI Scale). This scale, composed of twelve increasing levels of intensity ranging from imperceptible shaking to catastrophic destruction, is designated by Roman numerals I through XII. It does not have a mathematical basis and is based on observed effects. Refer to Table 4-15, The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Summary, for abbreviated descriptions of the twelve MMI intensity levels.

Table 4-15
The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Summary
Intensity Shaking Description/Damage
I Non felt Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.

II Weak Felt only by few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.
134 USGS, The Severity of an Earthquake, https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq4/severitygip.html, accessed July 12, 2024. 507
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Intensity Shaking Description/Damage
III Weak Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings. Many people do not recognize as an earthquake.

Standing motor cars may rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.

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

Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: USGS, The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/modified-mercalliintensity-scale?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects, accessed July 12, 2024.

Magnitude and intensity measure different characteristics of earthquakes but often correlate.

Magnitude measures the energy released at the source of the earthquake, determined by measurements on seismographs. Intensity measures the strength of shaking produced by an earthquake at a certain location and is determined by effects on people, structures, and the natural environment. Refer to Table 4-16, Moment Magnitude and Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Comparison, lists the intensities that are typically observed at locations near the epicenter of earthquakes of different magnitudes.

Table 4-16
Moment Magnitude and Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale Comparison Moment Magnitude Typical Maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity

1.0 – 3.0 I

3.0 – 3.9 II – III

4.0 – 4.9 IV – V

5.0 – 5.9 – VII

6.0 – 6.9 VIII – IX

7.0 or higher X or higher
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Moment Magnitude Typical Maximum Modified Mercalli Intensity Source: USGS, Earthquake Magnitude, Energy Release, and Shaking Intensity, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquakehazards/science/earthquake-magnitude-energy-release-and-shaking-intensity?qt-science_center_objects=0#qt-science_center_objects, accessed July 26, 2021.

The City is located within the Southern California region, known to be seismically active. While located within a generally active region, no major documented fault lines are located within the City of San Clemente, and all nearby active fault lines are not located immediately near City boundaries. Thus, it is considered highly unlikely for a fault rupture to occur within the planning area, and it was determined that the foreseeable risk posed to the City by fault rupture is minimal.

Critical facilities and other assets located within the City are not considered vulnerable to fault rupture. Active fault lines located in relative proximity the City include Joaquin Hills Thrust Fault, Pelican Hill Fault, Elsinore, THUMS Huntington Beach, Newport-Inglewood-Rose Canyon. Table 4-17, Local Earthquake Faults, lists each active and potentially active fault in relative proximity to the City of San Clemente, distance to the City, and estimated magnitude.

Table 4-17
Local Earthquake Faults
Fault Name Category Distance (miles) Estimated Magnitude San Joaquin Hills Thrust Active 7.5 Unknown
Pelican Hill Fault Active 10 Unknown
Elsinore Active 16 6.5-7.5
THUMS – Huntington Beach Active 18.6 Unknown
Newport-Inglewood-Rose Canyon Active 19.2 6.0-7.4
Peralta Hills Active 22.5 N/A
San Jacinto Active 39 6.5-7.5
San Andreas Active 51.5 6.8-8.0
Note: This table provides estimated distances using the Moment Magnitude Scale (Mw) Source: Southern California Earthquake Data Center, Earthquake Information, https://scedc.caltech.edu/earthquake/faults.html, accessed July 12, 2024.; USGS, Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/cfusion/qfault/show_report_AB_archive.cfm?fault_id=186&section_id=, accessed October 9, 2024.

The list below shows more information on more researched faults, however, unknown fault lines included in the list may pose a grave threat to the planning area as well. x The Whittier-Elsinore Fault Zone runs from the Chino Hills region to the CaliforniaMexico border, and is approximately 22 miles from the City at its closest point. Near Chino Hills it splits into two separate segments, the Chino Fault, and the Whittier Fault.

This fault is believed to cause a major event approximately every 250 years with a probable magnitude of 6.5 to 7.5.135 The last major event along this fault was a 1910 earthquake measuring an estimated 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale. x The Newport/Inglewood Fault, a right-lateral fault system, extends to just south of the City. The system is capable of producing a 6.9 magnitude earthquake and has a slip rate of 1mm/yr. Because of its proximity to the City, it is thought to present a greater danger to the City in terms of death and destruction than the San Andreas fault. The movement on this fault caused the 1933 Long Beach magnitude 6.3 earthquake, and the 1920 135 Southern California Earthquake Data Center, Elsinore Fault Zone, https://scedc.caltech.edu/earthquake/elsinore.html, accessed July 23, 2024. 509
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Inglewood earthquake (estimated magnitude 4.9). The 1933 earthquake resulted in 120 deaths and over $50 million in property damage. Most of the damaged buildings were of unreinforced masonry. Many school buildings were destroyed. x The San Jacinto Fault Zone runs from San Bernardino to the Superstition Mountains south of the Salton Sea, and is approximately 60 miles from the City at its closest point.

The last major event along this fault was the Borrego Mountain earthquake in 1968, which measured 6.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The Southern California Earthquake Data Center estimates that major events along this fault could measure 6.5 to 7.5 on the moment magnitude scale.136
x The San Andreas Fault, the largest and most well-known of California’s faults, runs from Cape Mendocino to the Salton Sea. It is approximately 40 miles from the City at its closest point. It has caused numerous major earthquakes throughout California’s history, including the 1906 San Francisco earthquake that destroyed much of that city and the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake that caused widespread damage in the San Francisco Bay Area. The central portion of the San Andreas Fault was responsible for an earthquake measuring an estimated 7.9 on the moment magnitude scale, the strongest in California’s recorded history in 1857 near the town of Parkfield (approximately 170 miles from the City). The Southern California Earthquake Data Center estimates that a future major event along the southern part of the San Andreas Fault could measure 6.8 to 8.0 on the moment magnitude scale. The recurrence interval along the fault varies greatly, from less than 20 years to more than 300 years between events.137 Liquefaction
The potential for liquefaction exists in areas susceptible to ground shaking with loose soils and/or shallow groundwater. Given the active faults in the region, and the presence of geologically young, unconsolidated sediments, liquefaction is possible throughout the City. The California Geological Survey Seismic Hazard Zonation Program identifies and maps areas prone to liquefaction; refer to Figure 4-17, Liquefaction Hazard Zones. Areas most at risk for liquefaction are primarily located within the vicinity of current or historical rivers or other drainages such as the M01 Prima Deshecha Canada channel and the M02 Segunda Deshecha Canada channel. Additionally, the northern part of the City has known liquefaction susceptibility.

Ground Shaking/Ground Motion
As discussed above, a variety of faults are located near the City of San Clemente. Table 4-18, Major Earthquake Faults of Particular Concern, identifies faults of concern within the region and their last major ruptures. Figure 4-16, Seismic Hazard Map identifies faults located near the planning area.
136 Southern California Earthquake Data Center, San Jacinto Fault Zone, https://scedc.caltech.edu/earthquake/sanjacinto.html, accessed July 23, 2024. 137 Southern California Earthquake Data Center, San Andreas Fault Zone, https://scedc.caltech.edu/earthquake/sanandreas.html, accessed July 23, 2024. 510
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Figure 4-16
Seismic Hazard Map
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Figure 4-17
Liquefaction Hazard Zones
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Table 4-18
Major Earthquake Faults of Particular Concern
Fault
Name
Type of
Faulting Last Major Rupture Slip Rate Interval Between Major Ruptures Probable Magnitudes San
Joaquin
Hills thrust
Thrust Latest Quaternary
Period Unknown Unknown Unknown
Pelican Hill
Fault
Rightlateral Late Quaternary Unknown Unknown Unknown
Elsinore
Rightlateral
strike-slip
May 15, 1910,
Magnitude 6 – no
surface rupture
Roughly 4.0
mm/yr Roughly 250 years 6.5 - 7.5 Mw
THUMS
Huntington
Beach
Unspecified Late Quaternary Unknown Unknown Unknown
Newport/In
glewood/R
ose
Canyon
Rightlateral Holocene
Between 0.8
and 2.1
mm/yr
Unknown 6.0 - 7.4 Mw
Peralta
Hills Reverse Late Quaternary Period Unknown Unknown Unknown San Jacinto
Rightlateral
strike-slip;
minor rightreverse
April 9, 1968,
Magnitude 6.5 7 to 17 mm/yr Varies; between 100 and 300 years

6.5 - 7.5 Mw
San
Andreas
Right
lateral
strike-slip
April 18, 1906,
Magnitude 7.9
20 to 35
mm/yr Varies; between 20 and 300 years 6.8 – 8.0 Mw
Notes: Mm = millimeters, yr = year, Mw = Moment Magnitude Source: Southern California Earthquake Center, Significant Earthquakes and Faults, http://scedc.caltech.edu/significant/fault-index.html, accessed July 5, 2022. ; USGS, Quaternary Fault and Fold Database of the United States, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/cfusion/qfault, accessed July 12, 2024.

Table 4-19, Significant Historical Earthquakes in Southern California, identifies the major earthquakes that have occurred in southern California. As shown in Table 4-19, multiple regional major earthquakes over the past two decades have resulted in seismic ground shaking in the City of San Clemente. Table 4-19 also lists two earthquakes that occurred within the City.

Table 4-19
Significant Historical Earthquakes in Southern California Earthquake Name Year Estimated Magnitude
Elsinore 1910 6.0
San Jacinto 1918 6.8
North San Jacinto 1923 6.3
Long Beach 1933 6.4
San Fernando 1971 6.5
Whittier Narrows 1987 5.8
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Earthquake Name Year Estimated Magnitude
Newport Beach 1989 4.7
Northridge 1994 6.7
Yorba Linda 2002 4.6
Chino Hills 2008 5.4
Sources: Southern California Earthquake Data Center, Significant Earthquakes and Faults, https://scedc.caltech.edu/earthquake/significant.html, accessed July 12, 2024.

Two recent historic earthquakes with epicenters close to the planning area include the Elsinore and Long Beach Earthquakes. On March 10, 1933, at 7:47 am PST, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake north of Lake Elsinore about 15 miles south of Riverside.138 Damages included toppled chimneys in Corona, Temescal, and Wildomar. On May 15, 1910, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake occurred at 7:45 am PST 38 miles northwest of the City of San Clemente.139 The epicenter of the quake occurred 3 miles south of Huntington Beach, about 8 miles deep. The source of the earthquake was the Newport-Inglewood Fault which ruptured for about nine miles in the subsurface (there was no surface fault rupture), while ground shaking lasted about 10 seconds. Casualties included 120 deaths, 52 in Long Beach and 17 in Compton, with more than 500 injuries reported in Long Beach alone. Significant damage occurred in Long Beach, Huntington Park, and Compton, costing $50 million in 1933 dollars.140
No federally declared disasters related to ground shaking events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Liquefaction
Comprehensive, historic accounts of damage within the City of San Clemente from liquefaction are not readily available. The Orange County and Orange County Fire Authority Local Hazard Mitigation Plan does not report any local liquefaction incidents occurring in San Clemente in recent history. City staff are also unable to recall specific instances of previous liquefaction occurrences. However, it should be noted that structures within areas along the Santa Ana River were reported to be susceptible to liquefaction after the 1987 Whittier Narrows Earthquake.141 No federally declared disasters related to liquefaction events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.
138 Southern California Earthquake Data Center, Elsinore Earthquake, https://scedc.caltech.edu/earthquake/elsinore1910.html#:~:text=Preceeded%20by%20moderate%20foreshocks%20on,in%20towns %20closer%20to%20the, accessed July 12, 2024.
139 California Department of Conservation, The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/earthquakes/long-beach, accessed July 12, 2024 140 Ibid. 141 Los Angeles Times, The Earthquake in Orange County: Warning: Soil Could Turn to Mush in a Strong Earthquake, , https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-03-me-2848-story.html, published October 3, 1987, accessed July 7, 2022. 514
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Ground Shaking/Ground Motion
Given the location of the planning area, the presence of several local/regional faults, and previous occurrences, it has been determined that the probability of ground shaking impacting the planning area in the future is considered likely. A likely probability means there is a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with ground shaking based upon a likely probability and expected impacts of future events.

The USGS Uniform Earthquake Rupture Forecast Version 3 released in 2017 provides a perspective of the likelihood each California region will experience a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake in the next 30 years; refer to Table 4-20, Likelihood of One or More Earthquakes Occurring in the Next 30 Years in Orange County Region by Fault. The Whittier Fault, located within the City, shows lower probabilities for an earthquake greater than 6.7 M in the next 30 years compared to the San Andreas, San Jacinto, and Elsinore Fault. It is noted that while less likely, an earthquake on Whittier Fault would have the highest probability for strong ground shaking within the City.

Table 4-20
Likelihood of One or More Earthquakes Occurring in the Next 30 Years in Orange County Region by Fault
Magnitu
de
Whittier
Fault Elsinore Fault Newport/Inglewood San Jacinto San Andreas M 6.7 1.17% 3.66% 0.95% 5.41% 19.21%
M 7.0 1.07% 1.82% 0.81% 5.39% 12.86%
M 7.5 0.58% 0.90% 0.42% 5.28% 10.21%
M 8.0 < 0.01% <0.01% -- 2.75% 3.24%
Notes:

1. M6.7 means magnitude greater than or equal to 6.7, and likewise for the other magnitude thresholds.

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

3. Percentages for fault sections closest to the City.

Source: U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Geological Survey, The Third California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF3), March 2015.

Liquefaction
Given the location of the planning area, the presence of several local/regional faults, and limited recent impacts, it has been determined that the probability of liquefaction impacting the planning area in the future is considered somewhat likely. A somewhat likely probability means there is a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years.

The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with liquefaction based a somewhat likely probability and limited expected impacts of future events.

Because seismic activity is expected to continue in the southern California region, liquefaction should also be expected and anticipated as a secondary impact in the City from this hazard. There are several drainages in the City where liquefaction risk is known to exist.

However, it should be noted that liquefaction would only be triggered by a significant earthquake event within one of the fault zones close to or within the City. As previously noted, the Whittier 515
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Fault has limited probability to produce a 6.7 M earthquake or greater in the next 30 years. This would then reduce the probability of future liquefaction as a result of an earthquake on this fault.

Earthquakes are more probable to occur on the San Andres, San Jacinto, or Elsinore Faults.

These three faults are located several miles from the planning area and depending on the epicenter and magnitude of the earthquake, may not be strong enough to trigger liquefaction within the jurisdiction.

Ground Shaking/Ground Motion
Ground shaking is caused by seismic activity, which is not correlated with climate change. Thus, ground shaking is not more likely to occur as climate change impacts become more significant.

Liquefaction
Climate change may increase susceptibility to liquefaction. Climate change is likely to bring more severe rain events to southern California, increasing the amount of water saturation in loose soils.

Saturated soils are known to be at risk for liquefaction, landslide, or ground failure in an earthquake. Thus, heavy periods of rain combined with a local earthquake with strong ground shaking could increase the likelihood of liquefaction potential.

Ground Shaking /Ground Motion
Seismic ground shaking and ground motion from a nearby or regional earthquake would potentially impact the entirety of San Clemente. A closer fault rupture would generally result in more significant ground shaking; however, a large-magnitude regional earthquake would also cause significant ground shaking throughout the City. It is reasonable to assume that the entirety of San Clemente is vulnerable including all critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings and the 64,232 population.

Seismic ground shaking would potentially have devastating impacts on City residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure. It can cause buildings to collapse, leading to injuries and fatalities, and disrupt essential services like power, water, and transportation. Damage to critical infrastructure and essential City facilities, such as public buildings, fire, and police services, can severely hinder communication, emergency response efforts and evacuations. This disruption can delay evacuations and search and rescue operations, complicate coordination efforts, and leave residents without vital services during and after an earthquake or seismic event, exacerbating the overall impact of the disaster.

Liquefaction
Mapped liquefaction zones generally include low lying areas and areas where groundwater is near the surface. These areas primarily include the coastline and follow the natural topographical channels northeast into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. Mapped liquefaction zones along the coast and throughout the City intersect with various critical facilities and infrastructure.

Vulnerable critical facilities primarily include those that serve as community lifelines providing safety and security, water systems, and transportation. In total there are 36 vulnerable critical facilities located within a liquefaction hazard zone. Each vulnerable critical facility is included in Table 4-21, Critical Facilities in a Liquefaction Hazard Zone. 516
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Additionally, commercial and residential areas would potentially be impacted by liquefaction.

Approximately 2,100 residential units are located within the liquefaction hazard area. Vulnerable residential units multiplied by the average 2.7 persons per household for San Clemente indicates that approximately 5,670 people reside in the liquefaction hazard zone. Additionally, over 571 thousand square feet of non-residential structures are located within the liquefaction hazard area.

Refer to the liquefaction vulnerability summary below for an overview of the vulnerable population, residential units, and non-residential area within San Clemente.

Table 4-21
Critical Facilities in Liquefaction Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 3 Beach Restrooms/Concessions -
NB Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
4 Beach Restrooms - Linda Lane Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 5 Beach Restroom/Concessions –
T-Street North Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 6 Beach Restroom/Concessions –
T-Street South Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 7 Base of Pier Restrooms Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $500,000 9 Bonito Canyon Park Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $5,220,000 15 City Municipal Pier & Lifeguard
Tower Zero Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 27 Liberty Park Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $4,500,000 28 Lifeguard Tower 14 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 29 Lifeguard Tower 1 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 30 Lifeguard Tower 5 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 31 Lifeguard Tower 6 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 33 Maintenance Building Government Service Safety and Security $4,064,100 34 Maintenance Services Government Service Safety and Security $4,064,100 37 Marine Safety Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 42 North Beach Public Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 43 Ole Hanson Beach Club and
Pool Parks and Recreation Safety and Security Not Available 54 San Clemente High School Public School Safety and Security $47,546,000 56 San Clemente Metrolink Station Transportation Safety and Security Not Available 64 Sewer Plant Maintenance Yard Wastewater
Management Water Systems $4,064,100
70 Tierra Grande Park Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $4,175,000 72 United States Postal Service Government Service Safety and Security Not Available 90 M01 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
91 M02 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
92 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert
(N El Camino Real)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $2,120,000
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Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 93 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Culvert (E Avenida Pico)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $2,120,000
94 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Culvert (Calle de Los Molinos)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $2,713,600
95 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert
(Avenida Vaquero South)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $848,000
96 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Beam Bridge (Calle Culvert)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $2,336,240
97 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Beam Bridge (Avenida Pico)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $2,671,200
98 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert
(Avenida Vaquero North
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $1,526,400
99 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert
(Calle Nuevo)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $1,441,600
100
Segunda Deshecha Canada
Beam Bridge (Avenida Vista
Hermosa)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $25,440,000
102 Segunda Deshecha Canada
Beam Bridge (Avenida Talega)
Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $20,988,000
111 I-5 Bridge (Over Pico) Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $49,608,000
113 I-5 Bridge (Over Vaquero) Highway/Roadway/
Motor Vehicle Transportation $26,712,000
Liquefaction may cause severe damage to residential and commercial structures, leading to foundation failures and building collapses. Critical facilities and buildings may become unsafe or unusable, disrupting essential services. Water service infrastructure may be compromised, resulting in broken pipelines and loss of water supply. Transportation infrastructure, including roads and bridges, would potentially suffer significant damage, hindering travel and emergency response efforts. These impacts can severely disrupt the operations of the City, making it difficult to coordinate emergency operations and evacuations. Residents may face prolonged utility outages, limited access to essential services, and increased risk during emergencies due to impaired response capabilities.

Within the past five years the population of San Clemente has remained relatively stable due to limited changes in land use and development patterns within the planning area. United States Census Data reports a 2020 population of 64,293 and a 2023 population of 62,313, representing 518
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a 3.1% population decline. Generally, population and housing growth over the past five years has been concentrated within the urbanized areas of San Clemente.

Looking forward, the City anticipates the majority of population growth and development to occur within established and urbanized neighborhoods. All neighborhoods would be potentially vulnerable to ground shaking and ground motion. Additionally, specific neighborhoods intersect with mapped liquefaction zones within the City. Specifically, the North Beach and North El Camino Real, Los Molinos, Rancho San Clemente Business Park, Talega Business Park and the Pier Bowl neighborhoods intersect with mapped liquefaction zones; population growth in these neighborhoods would result in increased vulnerability to liquefaction. Based on anticipated population growth and development, it is reasonable to assume that vulnerability to all seismic hazards including ground shaking and liquefaction within San Clemente will increase over the 5- year planning period of this LHMP.
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People Residential Units Non-Residential
Square Footage
sidential Uni
5,670 2,100
on Residential
571,386
Liquefaction Vulnerability Summary
Water System
Facilities
W
20 ter Syste
2 Systems & Infrastructure
0 0
0 12
The number of people, residential units, and non-residential development (square feet) located within the mapped liquefaction hazard area.

The number of critical facilities categorized by community lifeline type located within the mapped liquefaction hazard area.

Health & Medical
Facilities
Communications
Facilities
Safety & Security
Facilities
Hazardous
Materials Facilities
Transportation
Facilities
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Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

Mapped liquefaction zones are generally located along the coastline of San Clemente and follow the channels northeast into the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. These mapped liquefaction zones intersect with census tracts that have been identified as medium-high and high social vulnerability. Additionally, seismic ground shaking or ground motion would potentially impact the entirety of San Clemente including SVPs in identified census tracts as well as SVPs located throughout the planning area. Therefore, SVPs and other high-risk individuals throughout the planning area are potentially vulnerable to seismic hazards. Specific SVPs and high-risk individuals that may be present throughout the planning area include cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, populations who speak English “less than well”, tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be evacuation efforts and access to emergency services and supplies.

Cost-burdened and uninsured residents are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of seismic ground shaking and liquefaction due to limited financial resources for adequate preparation, such as retrofitting homes or purchasing emergency supplies. They may live in older, less resilient structures that are more susceptible to damage. During evacuations and emergency responses, these residents may face challenges accessing transportation and temporary housing.

Additionally, a lack of insurance means they bear the full financial burden of repairs and recovery, making it harder to rebuild their lives post-disaster. Secondary impacts like infrastructure damage, economic losses, health risks, and psychological effects can severely affect cost-burdened and uninsured residents, as they often lack the resources to recover and rebuild, increasing vulnerability and long-term hardship.

Minorities and limited English populations are more vulnerable to seismic ground shaking and liquefaction due to barriers in accessing information and resources for adequate preparation, such as retrofitting homes or creating emergency plans. Language barriers can hinder evacuation orders and emergency response instructions, leading to delays and increased risk during evacuations. Additionally, these communities often reside in older, less resilient housing and may experience lack of support in the aftermath, exacerbating the secondary impacts like infrastructure damage and health risks. The combination of these factors makes recovery and rebuilding efforts significantly more challenging for these populations.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of ground shaking. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make evacuation extremely challenging during earthquakes, and complex medical needs place additional vulnerability on those in assisted living facilities. Falling objects during an earthquake may also injure patients.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable to seismic ground shaking and liquefaction due to their lack of permanent, secure housing and limited access to emergency resources. Tourists and seasonal visitors may be unfamiliar with local emergency procedures and evacuation routes, while homeless individuals often lack safe shelters and basic necessities. During evacuations and emergency responses, these groups face significant challenges in finding temporary housing and accessing medical care. Additionally, the secondary 521
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impacts, such as infrastructure damage and health risks, can be more severe for these populations, who already experience heightened instability and limited support networks.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8, #11 and #12, to mitigate seismic impacts on SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuations, and access to emergency services.

Extreme Heat
Extreme heat conditions refer to temperatures that are significantly higher than average for a particular regional location and time of year. Extreme or excessive heat can be a combination of high heat and high humidity, leading to heat-related illness. The heat index, or the apparent temperature, is what the temperature feels like to the human body when relative humidity and air temperature are both considered. Relative humidity can significantly increase the heat index and contribute to dangerous health conditions.142 High heat and humidity can cause heat-related illness, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.143 Extreme heat is location specific and determined based on average temperature for a given location. While there is no universal definition for an extreme heat event, the 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) defines extreme heat as temperatures that hover 10ºF or more above the average high temperatures for a region for several days or weeks.144 For the City of San Clemente, excessive heat is generally considered to occur when the ambient air temperature is 100°F or greater for two or more consecutive days.145 A heat wave is a period of abnormally hot weather generally lasting more than two days.146 The threat of extreme heat can be higher in urban areas, where dark-colored roofs and paving materials cause the air temperature to be hotter. The dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat is known as the urban heat island effect.147
Heavy Rains
Heavy rains refer to events during which the amount of rainfall in a location substantially exceeds normal or typical rainfall conditions. Heavy precipitation is not necessarily an indicator that the 142 National Weather Service, What is the Heat Index?,
https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex#:~:text=The%20heat%20index%2C%20also%20known,sweat%20to%20cool%20itself%20 off., accessed July 3, 2024.
143 National Weather Service, Excessive Heat Conditions, https://www.weather.gov/phi/heatcond#Overview, accessed July 3, 2024. 144 Cal OES, 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/Hazard-Mitigation/Documents/2023- California-SHMP_Volume-1_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed July 17, 2024. 145 County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area, Excessive Temperature Annex, https://www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/2021-07/Excessive%20Temperature%20Emergency%20Annex%202021-%20Final.pdf, accessed October 9, 2024.
146 National Weather Service NOAA, During a Heat Wave, https://www.weather.gov/safety/heat-during, published 2024, accessed July 3, 2024.
147 US EPA, Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect, https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/reduce-urban-heat-islandeffect#:~:text=%22Urban%20heat%20islands%22%20occur%20when,heat%2Drelated%20illness%20and%20mortality, accessed July 3, 2024.
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total amount of precipitation has increased, rather that precipitation is occurring in more intense events. Changes in precipitation intensity, coupled with changes in the interval between events, can affect overall precipitation totals.148 Potential impacts of heavy rains include property damage, soil erosion, and increased flood risk (refer to Section 4.9, Flood), which in turn contribute to other hazards such as debris flows, flooding, and landslides (refer to Section 4.11, Landslide and Slope Failure). The contribution of heavy rains to other hazards has the potential to cause significant property damage and loss of life within the planning area.

Santa Ana Winds
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), Santa Ana Winds occur when air from a region of high pressure over the dry, desert region of the southwestern U.S. flows westward towards low pressure located off the California coast.149 This creates dry winds that flow east to west through the mountain passages in Southern California. These winds are most common during the cooler months of the year, occurring from September through May. Santa Ana winds typically feel warm (or even hot) because as the cool desert air moves down the side of the mountain, it is compressed, which causes the temperature of the air to rise. These strong winds can cause major property damage and increase wildfire risk because of the dryness of the winds and the speed at which they can spread a flame across the landscape.

Severe incidents of Santa Ana Winds may pose a significant risk to life and property by creating conditions that disrupt essential systems such as public utilities, telecommunications, and transportation routes. Destructive impacts to trees, power lines, and utility services also are associated with high winds. Falling trees can occasionally cause fatalities and serious structural damage and fallen power lines could cause widespread power outages and fire.

High wind can contribute to the closure of facilities in coastal communities. Wind blowing across smooth water surfaces can cause friction or drag between the air, causing the water to stretch the surface. As waves form, the surface becomes rougher, making it easier for the wind to push the water surface and intensify waves.150
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Power outages are a major secondary effect of severe weather events in the City. An outage could result in damaged power equipment or equipment failures and can affect multiple jurisdictions for hours. This type of event can range from a moderate event to a catastrophic regional event that may threaten human life, safety, and health, or interferences with vital services.

During severe weather incidents such as high winds, extreme heat, or severe flooding, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) may implement an operational practice called Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to preemptively shut off power in high-risk areas during potentially dangerous conditions. This program is designed to proactively prevent SDG&E facilities from starting a wildfire in at risk areas when winds and temperatures are high.

Strong Santa Ana winds, high temperatures, and low humidity are all severe weather conditions that could trigger a PSPS event. It is possible for extreme weather incidents outside of the City to 148 US EPA, Climate Change Indicators: Heavy Precipitation, https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicatorsheavy-precipitation, accessed July 3, 2024. 149 NWS, Mountain and Valley Winds, https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-mountain-valley, accessed July 9, 2024. 150 NOAA, Waves, https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/ocean/waves, published September 20, 2023, accessed July 9, 2024. 523
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trigger a PSPS that affects the service area (i.e., strong winds affecting regional infrastructure that powers SDG&E grids in Orange County). The frequency of these events depends on the weather and environmental factors, and SDG&E makes decisions based on internal threat thresholds, assessment of real-time information, and situational awareness data. When possible, SDG&E intends to notify customers prior to a PSPS event. When weather forecasts indicate extreme fire conditions, SDG&E begins predictive modeling to assess the potential impacts while monitoring weather watch alerts from the National Weather Service. Three days prior to the forecasted PSPS, SDG&E would coordinate first with local governments, the emergency management community, first responders, and other critical infrastructure/service providers. Two days prior to the forecasted PSPS, notices would go out to SDG&E customers with a follow-up one day before a notice of power shut off. It is noted that actual or sudden onset of extreme weather conditions could impact the intended coordination and notification efforts.151 Outside of the PSPS events, there is the potential for unplanned power outages to occur within San Clemente. A large, unexpected outage may be caused by either accidents or natural disasters. While uncommon, loss of electrical power is a potential secondary effect of heavy rains or strong winds. Other types of events that could occur is mechanical power failure due to aging equipment.

Extreme Heat
The geographic extent of extreme heat conditions would extend to every resident within the planning area, and extreme heat events typically last for a few days. The National Weather Service (NWS) uses a heat index, or apparent temperature, to help identify extreme heat events and predict extent of potential impacts. The dangers of extreme heat increase with time and exposure, meaning that a prolonged period of extreme heat over just a few days can be particularly dangerous. Figure 4-18, Heat Index, shows the likelihood of heat disorder with prolonged exposure or strenuous activity associated with temperature and relative humidity. 151 Southern California Edison, Public Safety Power Shutoff, https://www.sce.com/wildfire/psps, accessed July 9, 2024. 524
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Figure 4-18
Heat Index
Source: National Weather Service, What is the Heat Index?, https://www.weather.gov/ama/heatindex#:~:text=The%20heat%20index%2C%20also%20known,sweat%20to%20cool%20itself%20off., accessed May 15, 2024.

The greatest risks from extreme heat events are health related. Although some heat-related illnesses are often minor and/or temporary such as heat rash, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion, extreme heat can overwhelm the body’s ability to maintain a safe internal temperature, causing a person’s body temperature to reach dangerous levels. If a person’s internal temperature rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit or above, heatstroke can occur.152 Heatstroke can cause fainting, seizures, and mental impairment. If left untreated, it may lead to permanent organ damage, coma, or death.

Extreme heat is unlikely to result in physical damage to structures; however, residents may experience the effects of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Additionally, the increased use of air conditioning may put stress on the power grid and lead to power outages. The National Weather Service (NWS) provides weather forecasts for jurisdictions including the City of San Clemente out of the local San Diego, California office. Anticipated extreme heat events would be reported by these weather stations, including specific anticipated duration and severity.

Heavy Rains
An indicator for the extent of a heavy rain season is the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI), used to monitor the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). To calculate the ONI, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center calculate the average sea surface temperature in the El Niño 3.4 region (area of the east-central equatorial Pacific Ocean) for each month, and then average it with values from the previous and following months. The observed difference from the average temperature in that region, whether warmer or cooler, is the ONI value for that three-month “season”. El Niño and La Niña conditions can 152 Mayo Clinic, Heat Exhaustion, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-exhaustion/symptoms-causes/syc-20373250, accessed July 3, 2024.
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affect climate conditions in southern California significantly. El Niño causes the Pacific jet stream to move south of the neutral position, often bringing increased precipitation and secondary impacts such as increased flooding. La Niña usually has the opposite effect and causes the Pacific jet stream to move northward. This usually leads to dry and drought-like conditions, along with warmer than normal temperatures during the winter. It is important to note that El Niño and La Niña are only predictors of precipitation in Southern California and may not always result in rainy or dry years.

Typically, municipal drainage infrastructure systems are designed to accommodate heavy rain events. During uncharacteristically heavy storms or rain events (such as those caused by an El Niño weather pattern), these drainage systems may not be sufficient to move stormwater flows and thus, result in flooding (refer to Section 4.9, Flood). Severe storms could also cause overtopping of dams or reservoirs (refer to Section 4.6, Dam Failure) or threaten slope stability (refer to Section 4.11, Landslide and Slope Failure).

The City of San Clemente typically sees the greatest amount of rainfall from December through March of each year. The City saw its greatest total rainfall in the last few years in February of 2024, with 9.3 inches of rain falling in one month.153 Over the last three years, the City has seen a maximum monthly rainfall of 7.48 inches, 1.8 inches, and 2.17 inches, respectively. Incidents of heavy rainfall during storm events have the potential to affect the entirety of the planning area.

Santa Ana Winds
Wind events, such as the Santa Ana Winds, typically impact large areas and can potentially impact any region of the planning area. Depending on the conditions of the wind event, impacts could be widespread or localized. The average hourly wind speed in San Clemente is 5.4 mph, with Santa Ana Winds reaching a wind speed of up to 115 mph.154,155 Santa Ana Wind events can result in damaged buildings and infrastructure, damaging personal property including vehicles and homes. Downed trees, damaged power lines, and power outages may also affect residents within the City of San Clemente. Table 4-22, Beaufort Wind Scale, relates wind speed to observed conditions and is used to measure the intensity of wind events up to 74 miles per hour.

Table 4-22
Beaufort Wind Scale
Beaufort Scale Wind Speed Description
0: Calm Less than 1 mph Smoke rises vertically.
1: Light air 1 to 3 mph Direction shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes. 2: Light breeze 4 to 7 mph Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; wind vane moved by wind. 3: Gentle breeze 8 to 12 mph Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; light flags extended. 4: Moderate breeze 13 to 18 mph Raises dust and loose paper; small branches moved. 5: Fresh breeze 19 to 24 mph Small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland waters.
153 University of California, San Clemente – Monthly Totals, https://ceorange.ucanr.edu/about/weather/?weather=station&station=241, accessed July 9, 2024. 154 Weather Spark, Climate and Average Weather Year Round in San Clemente, https://weatherspark.com/y/1895/AverageWeather-in-San-Clemente-California-United-States-Year-Round, accessed July 9, 2024. 155 Rancho Santiago Community College District, Section IV-F – Severe Weather/Santa Ana Winds, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.rsccd.edu/Departments/RiskManagement/Documents/Risk%20Management/IV-F%20Windstorms.pdf, accessed July 9, 2024. 526
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Beaufort Scale Wind Speed Description
6: Strong breeze 25 to 31 mph Large branches in motion; whistling heard in telegraph wires; umbrellas used with difficulty.
7: Near gale 32 to 38 mph Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt when walking against the wind.
8: Gale 39 to 46 mph Twigs break off trees; generally impedes progress. 9: Strong gale 47 to 54 mph Slight structural damage (chimney pots and slates removed). 10: Storm 55 to 63 mph Seldom experienced inland; trees uprooted; considerable structural damage.
11: Violent storm 64 to 72 mph Very rarely experienced; accompanied by widespread damage.

Source: National Weather Service, Beaufort Wind Scale, https://www.weather.gov/mfl/beaufort, accessed July 9, 2024.

The specific magnitude, severity, and actual impacts from wind events in the City can vary greatly depending on sustained windspeed and event duration.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
PSPS events often target wildland areas with high wildfire risk, but they can impact a much wider region. The targeted area is the area at risk due to weather conditions, especially during severe storm events in the planning area. Given the long, connected nature of power supply systems, a shutoff event targeted to a small at-risk zone can affect power to larger areas beyond.

SDG&E designates High Fire Threat Districts as areas with circuits within California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Tier 2 (elevated risk) and Tier 3 (extreme risk) Fire Threat Areas. The CPUC Fire-Threat Map was developed with input from the U.S. Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, and the State’s investor-owned utilities, including SCE and SDG&E. SDG&E uses their own thresholds prior to initiating a PSPS event. When evaluating weather and environmental conditions, SDG&E and other utility providers consider a variety of factors which include but are not limited to:
x National Weather Service Red Flag Warnings
x Meteorological assessments
x SDG&E Fire Potential Index
x Real-time situational awareness information
x Fire management input
x Concerns from local or State fire authorities
x Mandatory or voluntary evacuation orders in place
x Expected impact of de-energizing circuits on essential services (including public safety agencies, water pumps, traffic controls, etc.)
x Other operational considerations to minimize wildfire ignitions. 527
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Figure 4-19
CPUC Fire-Threat Map
Note: Red circle indicates the approximate location of the City of San Clemente. 528
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The magnitude or extent of impacts to the City would depend on the duration of the outage and the size of the impacted area.

Extreme Heat
Extreme heat events commonly affect the City of San Clemente during the summer months. The following recent hazard events involving extreme heat have affected the planning area:

Table 4-23
Extreme Heat Events in the City of San Clemente from 2018 – 2024 Date Description
July 6, 2018 Extreme heat and dry conditions across Southern California.

September 13, 2019 Heat, high winds, low relative humidity affects Southern California.

October 21, 2019 Gusty Santa Ana Winds, hot temperatures, and single-digit relative humidity across Orange County and Southern California.

August 14, 2020 Long duration heat wave affects Orange County.

October 12, 2020 Gusty Santa Ana Winds, high temperatures, and dense fog affected coastal areas of Orange County.

April 1, 2021 Railroad service halted as the ground under the tracks shifted. The project emergency repair project cost around $12 million and consisted of adding boulders on the ocean side of the beachfront tracks.156
April 28, 2021 A record-breaking heat wave affected Orange County.

June 14, 2021 A long-lasting heat wave swept across Southern California, with isolated thunderstorms producing gusty winds.

August 2, 2021 High temperatures affected the Orange County area from August 1-5, with dense fog affecting coastal communities.

September 1, 2022 Early September heat wave.

July 11, 2023 A long-duration heat event affected Orange County, leading to widespread heat-related incidents reported across the County.

No federally declared disasters related to extreme heat events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Heavy Rains
While heavy rain events do not affect the City of San Clemente as commonly as other hazard events, a few heavy rain events have impacted the City in recent history.

In August 2023, the City of San Clemente took precautionary measures in anticipation of the impacts of Tropical Storm Hilary. The City closed public amenities such as beach access, parks, trails, libraries, sports fields, and the base of the pier underpass. In addition, trolley services in the City of San Clemente as well as Dana Point and San Juan Capistrano were all canceled and 156 The Orange County Register, OCTA update: Rail service through San Clemente could resume by February, https://www.ocregister.com/2022/12/15/octa-update-rail-service-through-san-clemente-could-resume-by-february/, updated December 16, 2022, accessed August 14, 2024.
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expected to resume on August 21, 2023. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens and Cyprus Shores were heavily monitored as both locations experienced landslides following storm surges and heavy rain.

In late January to early February of 2024, an atmospheric river-fueled storm posed flooding and mudslide risk along the south Orange County coast including the City of San Clemente. The City also experienced a landslide that halted railroad service and damaged the Mariposa Trail Bridge.

On April 6, 2020, an atmospheric river brought widespread heavy rain to Southern California, leading to flash flooding in coastal communities. Many locations across the coast recorded their highest daily rainfall records in this event.

It is also noted that a number of coastal access points are present in the City that provide the public with access to the Pacific Ocean. These coastal access points face increased risk to the impacts of heavy rain in the planning area and may be washed out as a result of severe storm events impacting areas near the coast. Coastal access points may include paths, trails, stairways, parking facilities, and restrooms and showers.

No federally declared disasters related to heavy rain events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-24, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana Wind events commonly affect the City of San Clemente, typically between the cooler months of September through May. The following recent hazard events involving the Santa Ana Winds or other notable high wind events have affected the planning area:

Table 4-24
Santa Ana Wind Events in the City of San Clemente from 2016 – 2024 Date Description
January 31, 2016 After an atmospheric river impacted Southern California, severe storms impacted coastal Orange County. The San Clemente pier reported sustained winds in excess of 40mph for a period of 8 hours, with a peak wind speed of 47mph. Tree damage was reported along the coast.

December 24, 2021 After an atmospheric river impacted Southern California, strong wind gusts impacted communities across coastal Orange County.

February 21, 2023 Strong winds impacted the Orange County Coastline, with San Clemente reporting a peak wind gust of 59 mph.

March 13, 2024 Strong Santa Ana Winds impacted coastal portions of Orange County. Peak wind gusts reached 20-40mph.

No federally declared disasters related to Santa Ana Wind events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.
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Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
At this time, the City of San Clemente does not have a history of PSPS events. No PSPS events have affected the City in recent history. Overall, short-term power losses have primarily occurred as isolated incidents, without major impacts to the City.

No federally declared disasters leading to PSPS have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Extreme Heat
The City of San Clemente has historically experienced extreme heat, especially within the past five years. There is a somewhat likely probability of future extreme heat occurrences, meaning a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years.

The LHMP planning team designated a medium hazard planning consideration for extreme heat considering the likelihood for future extreme heat events. Extreme heat events will likely occur with a higher frequency and longer duration as climate change causes increased global temperatures.

Heavy Rains
Based on previous occurrences and the seasonal climate of the area, there is a likely probability of heavy rain impacts in the future. A likely probability means there is a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with heavy rain events based upon a likely probability and expected impacts of future events.

Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana Wind events are probable events each year within the City of San Clemente, with historical occurrences of Santa Ana Wind events indicating a likelihood for future events. High winds can exacerbate the risk of significant wildfires, making wind events of particular concern for the future. It has been determined that there is a likely probability of future occurrences, meaning a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years.

The LHMP planning team designated a medium hazard planning consideration for Santa Ana Wind events after considering the future probability and potential impacts to interrupt communication lines, exacerbate wildfire, and result in power outages.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Based on previous occurrences, there is a somewhat likely probability of future PSPS events in the future. A somewhat likely probability means there is a 1% to 10% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with PSPS events based upon a somewhat likely probability and the expected impacts of future events. 531
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Extreme Heat
Climate change is understood to have a direct impact on temperature. As global temperatures rise, there will be an increased occurrence and prolonged duration of extreme heat events.

According to Risk Factor, a hot day in the City of San Clemente is any day above a “feels like” temperature of 88°F.157 The City of San Clemente is expected to experience seven hot days this year and 22 days above 88°F in 30 years.

Heavy Rains
Climate change will affect the frequency and intensity of heavy rain events, causing secondary impacts such as flooding. As global temperatures increase, the average amount of moisture in the air will increase. This in turn leads to more severe storms including increased precipitation that ultimately leads to heavy rain events and associated hazards. Climate change is expected to exacerbate the impacts of severe storm-related impacts including incidents of heavy rain in the planning area.

Santa Ana Winds
It is anticipated that wind patterns and development may be altered due to climate change. The resulting change is expected to cause an increase in the number of intense storms, which could in turn lead to an increase in the frequency of strong wind events such as Santa Ana Wind events.

According to the Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center, climate change is expected to lead to overall decreases in Santa Ana Wind events during the early fall and late spring of each year.158 This projection describes decreases in frequency during these months, rather than decreasing intensity of the wind events. The peak of the Santa Ana Wind season (November through January) is expected to be least affected by climate change according to climate projections.

Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
As the effects of climate change continue to be observed, PSPS events are expected to increase as hazard events continue to be exasperated due to the effects of climate change. In recent years, PSPS events have been increasingly utilized in California as climate change, wildfire fuel accumulation, and expanded development of fire-prone lands increase the risk of wildfire events.159 In the event of a severe storm event, a PSPS may be deployed if electrical infrastructure is damaged to reduce the risk of damage to life and property within the City. An example of this would be high winds causing downed power lines that threaten the safety of local residents. 157 Risk Factor, Heat Factor, https://firststreet.org/neighborhood/san-clemente-ca/1050804_fsid/heat?from=riskfactor.com, accessed July 9, 2024.
158 University of Arizona, Climate Change Suppresses Santa Ana Winds of Southern California and Sharpens Their Seasonality, https://swcasc.arizona.edu/publication/climate-change-suppresses-santa-ana-winds-southern-california-and-sharpenstheir#:~:text=Climate%20Change%20Suppresses%20Santa%20Ana%20Winds%20of%20Southern%20California%20and%20Shar pens%20Their%20Seasonality,-
Reference&text=We%20downscale%20Santa%20Ana%20winds,climatology%20over%20the%20historical%20period., accessed July 9, 2024.
159 Wong-Parodi, Gabrielle, Support for public safety power shutoffs in California: Wildfire-related perceived exposure and negative outcomes, prior and current health, risk appraisal and worry, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2214629622000032#:~:text=In%20recent%20years%2C%20Public%20Safet y,development%20in%20fire%20prone%20lands., accessed July 9, 2024. 532
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Severe weather events within the City of San Clemente may include extreme heat, heavy rains, and Santa Ana Winds, which may include Public Safety Power Shutoffs as a measure to protect life and property. These severe weather events could impact the entire City; therefore, all critical facilities and the entirety of the City is considered vulnerable to the severe weather hazard.

Santa Ana Wind events could cause damage to buildings or infrastructure, although events are generally not significant enough to damage critical facilities or substantially impact operations.

Significant Santa Ana Wind events are known to cause communication issues, which can disrupt technology infrastructure or result in response challenges. Heavy rains can result in physical access challenges to critical facilities if roads are flooded or otherwise unsafe for access.

Extreme heat does not physically damage buildings, but it can impact City operations and may result in human health concerns such as heat stroke. The operations of the City and the day-today operations of residents and businesses may be hindered due to extreme heat. In some cases, cooling centers may be used to temporarily address the health effects of extreme heat. Extreme heat events can also increase the burden on power suppliers due to increased electricity consumption leading to power outages.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City anticipates the majority of population growth, land use changes and development to occur within existing and urbanized neighborhoods. As the entirety of the planning area would be vulnerable to extreme heat, heavy rains, and Santa Ana Winds, any projected population growth would increase the number of vulnerable individuals.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

The impacts of severe weather hazards would apply to the entirety of the planning area, including SVPs within Census Tracts 42108, 42107, 42201; cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations over age five who speak English “less than well”; and tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations.

These SVPs are located throughout the planning area and face their own unique challenges to severe weather hazards. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City 533
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would be health impacts due to weather conditions and the resources or ability to prepare for or respond to severe weather events.

Cost-burdened families spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, and minority populations often face heightened vulnerabilities during extreme heat, heavy rains, Santa Ana Winds, and associated PSPS events. Limited financial resources can restrict their ability to prepare for and recover from these events, such as securing adequate housing, insulation, and heating or cooling systems. Additionally, these communities may face limited access to emergency services, healthcare, and information about weather-related risks, exacerbating their struggles during and after such events.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of severe weather. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make evacuation extremely challenging if deemed necessary during a severe weather event. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted during such emergencies. Communication barriers may prevent them from receiving or understanding emergency alerts about severe weather, and many facilities may lack adequate infrastructure to withstand these specific threats.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations often face unique challenges during extreme heat, heavy rains, Santa Ana Winds, and associated PSPS events due to their unfamiliarity with the local environment and lack of established support networks. These populations may not have access to reliable information about impending weather events or know where to seek shelter. Additionally, homeless populations may lack appropriate clothing or supplies to cope with extreme heat events, making it difficult for them to navigate and recover from severe weather events.

A tsunami is a wave or series of waves generated by a large and sudden upward movement of the ocean floor or other natural disturbance. Usually, tsunamis occur because of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor. Volcanic eruptions, landslides, and in rare instances meteorites may also trigger tsunamis. The sudden and forceful displacement of the ocean floor creates waves that radiate outward in all directions away from their source, sometimes crossing entire ocean basins.160 In the open ocean, a tsunami travels 500 to 600 miles per hour, but is only a few feet in height and may be undetectable by ships. Once the wave nears the shore, the shallow depth pushes against the motion of the wave, causing it to decelerate and increase in height.161 160 FEMA, Understanding Tsunamis, https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/understanding-tsunamis, accessed July 2, 2024. 161 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Tsunami Propagation, https://www.noaa.gov/jetstream/tsunamis/tsunamipropagation, accessed July 2, 2024. 534
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Figure 4-20, How a Tsunami Works, illustrates the factors that lead to the formation of a tsunami wave.

Tsunamis typically rush ashore in multiple waves like fast-rising tide with powerful currents. When the tsunami makes landfall, the wave can violently disperse inland, causing immense damage and risk of injury or death. These waves often travel much further inland than normal waves. Most tsunami damage is caused by these strong currents and floating debris.162 Tsunamis are generally unpredictable, and the only warning sign is often the earthquake that triggers it. However, the initial earthquake may occur far away and be imperceptible to people on land. The trough of the tsunami is the low point beneath the crest of the wave. This trough often reaches shore first and produces a vacuum effect, which pulls coastal water seaward and exposes the harbor and sea floors. This is one of the few warning signs or indicators that the wave crest and full force of the tsunami will soon hit the coast.163 Figure 4-20
How a Tsunami Works
Source: National Weather Service, Tsunami Preparedness, https://www.weather.gov/wrn/fall2018-tsunami-sm, accessed July 10, 2024.

Tsunamis may last for hours, and additional waves may continue to impact coastlines. This leads to the destruction or damage of structures; disruption of transportation, power, and communications; and more.164 Damages often depend on the size and nature of the earthquake or other tsunami catalysts, as well as the location. Earthquakes and corresponding tsunamis that occur further away are less impactful than those that occur close to the coast. Tsunami damage 162 United States Geological Survey, Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards, https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-scienceschool/science/tsunamis-and-tsunami-hazards, accessed July 2, 2024. 163 FEMA, Understanding Tsunamis, https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/understanding-tsunamis, accessed July 2, 2024. 164 FEMA, Understanding Tsunamis, https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/understanding-tsunamis, accessed July 2, 2024. 535
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may range from minor to devastating, with the worst tsunamis resulting in severe structural and property damage, and substantial loss of life.

Approximately 80% of tsunamis occur within the Pacific Ocean’s “Ring of Fire,” a geologically active area where tectonic shifts make volcanoes and earthquakes common.165 The Ring of Fire surrounds the Pacific tectonic plate along the east coast of Asia and along the west coast of North and South America. All coastlines are potentially vulnerable to tsunamis that occur in the Pacific, including the Southern California coastline that includes the City of San Clemente.166 The entire 42-mile coastline of Orange County faces vulnerability to the tsunami hazard, which includes coastal communities in the City of San Clemente. These communities are densely populated, making evacuation efforts a challenge in the event of an emergency. Other factors impacting evacuation include the time of day, the time of year, road conditions, tourist population, and sporting and social events. Tsunami hazard events are rare for southern California, as the state’s coastline is protected by the region’s ocean floor geography and the presence of the Channel Islands, which help to reduce the coastline’s vulnerability to tsunamis.167 Tsunamis impacting the planning area are considered unlikely to be large walls of waves, but rather choppy waters resulting in unsafe swimming and boating conditions, and coastal flooding.

In more extreme scenarios, scientists estimate that if a tsunami hits the Orange County coast, it could generate waves as great as 32-feet high.168 An impact of this magnitude could cause loss of life, destroy thousands of homes, greatly affect coastal businesses, and impact tourism. Even if all residents and visitors were safely evacuated, the damage to property in this densely populated, high property value area would still be tremendous. 169 The City of San Clemente’s proximity to fault lines just off its coastline increases the potential of a Local Source Tsunami striking the City’s coastline. Historically, Distant-Source Tsunamis, like the one generated in Chile in 1960, have caused significant damage to the California coast.

Additionally, there is concern that an earthquake event along the Cascadia subduction zone may have significant impact on Southern California, similar to those experienced in Crescent City after the 1964 Alaskan earthquake. With the distance between Cascadia and Southern California being about the same as the distance from Alaska to Crescent City, this earthquake scenario poses a threat to the City of San Clemente.170
165 National Geographic, Tsunamis,
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/tsunamis#:~:text=Most%20tsunamis%E2%80%93about%2080%20percent, underwater%20landslides%20or%20volcanic%20eruptions., accessed July 10, 2024. 166 United States Geological Survey, Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards, https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-scienceschool/science/tsunamis-and-tsunami-hazards, accessed July 2, 2024. 167 Tsunami.org, What Causes a Tsunami?, https://tsunami.org/what-causes-a-tsunami/, accessed October 9, 2024. 168 City of San Clemente, Tsunami Emergency Information Brochure, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.sanclemente.org/Home/ShowAsyncTempDocument?folderGuid=8W9OMBZ1&fileName=3191e4081bce4904bffb6dfad4f4aaf0_tsunami 1_EDIT.pdf&ContentType=application%2Fpdf, accessed July 3, 2024. 169 County of Orange, 2018 Tsunami Annex, https://www.san-clemente.org/about-us/advanced-components/document-folder/-folder34, accessed July 3, 2024. 170 City of San Clemente, Tsunami Emergency Information Brochure, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.sanclemente.org/Home/ShowAsyncTempDocument?folderGuid=8W9OMBZ1&fileName=3191e4081bce4904bffb6dfad4f4aaf0_tsunami 1_EDIT.pdf&ContentType=application%2Fpdf, accessed July 3, 2024. 536
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According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI) for natural hazards, Orange County and the City of San Clemente face a relatively low risk of tsunami impacts. The NRI considers a combination of expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience ratings to determine relative risk for natural hazard such as tsunami, as shown in Figure 4-21, Tsunami Hazard Zone.

Tsunami damages are closely tied to the magnitude and severity of these on-shore or off-shore earthquake triggers; refer to Section 4-12, Seismic Hazards, for the magnitude and severity of earthquakes. In the worst-case scenario, tsunamis may cause severe and widespread structural and property damage and substantial loss of life.

The City of San Clemente has been impacted by two tsunami hazard events within the last 75 years. On September 16, 2015, following a magnitude 8.3 earthquake off the coast of Chile, the National Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami advisory for coastline areas from Orange County to north of San Luis Obispo. No coastal flooding resulted from this incident, and tsunami wave heights were observed to be just under one foot along the Orange County coastline.171 On January 15, 2022, a tsunami advisory was issued for Orange County. Wireless Emergency Alerts and tsunami sirens were activated before the first tsunami wave impacted the coastline.

Minor damage was reported along the coast, but no injuries or deaths resulted from this incident.172
No federally declared disasters relating to tsunami have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Earthquakes and tsunamis will continue to occur throughout the Pacific Ocean. Significant tsunami impacts to San Clemente are rare, and a tsunami Is not generally expected to impact the coastline near the planning area. Despite this, the coastal areas of San Clemente could be susceptible to smaller earthquakes and tsunamis generated from nearby faults and volcanic activity.

It is difficult to predict the recurrence and magnitude of tsunamis. Given the location of the planning area, the amount of low-lying coastal features throughout the City, and the previous history of tsunami occurrence in the Pacific Ocean, it has been determined that the probability of tsunami impacting the planning area in the future is considered unlikely. An unlikely probability means a less than 1% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of greater than every 100 years. The LHMP planning team assigned a low hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with tsunamis based upon an unlikely probability and limited expected impacts of future events.
171 NOAA, Storm Events Database,
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28Z%29+Tsunami&beginDate_mm=03&beginDate_dd=01&be ginDate_yyyy=1950&endDate_mm=03&endDate_dd=31&endDate_yyyy=2024&county=ORANGE%3A59&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter= 0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=6%2CCALIFORNIA, accessed July 2, 2024. 172 Ibid
537
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Figure 4-21
Tsunami Hazard Zone

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Climate change is not directly tied to the probability of tsunami occurrence. Tsunami triggers including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides are not expected to occur more frequently or be more severe due to climate change. However, sea level rise due to climate change may increase the severity of damages due to tsunamis. Increased mean sea levels would potentially cause tsunami waves and surges to travel further inland. Tsunami impacts would therefore be exacerbated by sea level rise and would cause more destruction and potential loss of life. This nexus between climate change and tsunami suggests that mitigation of climate change and sea level rise would indirectly mitigate the severity of tsunami impacts.

The tsunami hazard zone is limited to the coastal areas of San Clemente; however, coastal communities within the City include various critical facilities, infrastructure, residential and commercial uses. A significant tsunami impacting the coastline would potentially have substantial impacts to critical facilities and populations along the coast. The tsunami hazard zone intersects with 18 critical facilities within San Clemente. Vulnerable critical facilities primarily include those that serve as community lifelines providing safety and security as well as water systems, and transportation facilities. These vulnerabilities include various beach facilities and parks and recreation structure such as lifeguard towers and beach restrooms and also include the Marine Safety Building, North Beach Public Building, Metrolink and Amtrak stations and wastewater outfalls. Each vulnerable critical facility is included in Table 4-25, Critical Facilities in a Tsunami Hazard Zone.

Additionally, commercial and residential areas would potentially be impacted by a tsunami.

Approximately 123 residential units are located within the tsunami hazard area. Vulnerable residential units multiplied by the average 2.7 persons per household for San Clemente indicates that approximately 332 people reside in the tsunami hazard zone. Additionally, over three thousand square feet of non-residential structures are located within the tsunami hazard area.

Refer to the tsunami vulnerability summary below for an overview of the vulnerable population, residential units, and non-residential area within San Clemente.

Table 4-25
Critical Facilities in Tsunami Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 3 Beach
Restrooms/Concessions
- NB
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
4 Beach Restrooms -
Linda Lane
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
6 Beach Restrooms - TStreet South
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
7 Base of Pier Restrooms Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $500,000
15 City Municipal Pier &
Lifeguard Tower Zero Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 28 Lifeguard Tower 14 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 29 Lifeguard Tower 1 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 539
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Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 30 Lifeguard Tower 5 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 31 Lifeguard Tower 6 Marine Safety Safety and Security $150,000 37 Marine Safety Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 42 North Beach Public
Building Marine Safety Safety and Security Not Available 43 Ole Hanson Beach Club
and Pool
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security Not Available
46 Parque Del Mar Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $1,520,000
56 San Clemente Metrolink
Station Transportation Safety and Security Not Available 58 San Clemente Pier
Amtrak Station Transportation Safety and Security Not Available 90 M01 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
91 M02 Outfall Wastewater
Management Water Systems Not Available
92 Prima Deshecha
Canada Culvert (N El
Camino Real)
Highway/Roadw
ay/
Motor Vehicle
Transportation $2,120,000
A tsunami impacting San Clemente would potentially have impacts on coastal areas, including public beaches and their infrastructure. Lifeguard towers, restrooms, and other beach park facilities can be severely damaged or completely destroyed by the powerful waves and flooding.

Residential and commercial areas along the coast are at risk of structural damage, leading to potential loss of homes and businesses. Additionally, transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways can be heavily impacted, disrupting travel and emergency response efforts.

The aftermath often requires extensive recovery and rebuilding efforts, significantly affecting the local economy and community. In coastal communities, these impacts can severely hinder emergency operations by delaying response times and causing resource shortages. Day-to-day activities would also be disrupted due to utility outages and economic instability, further complicating recovery efforts.
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People Residential Units Non-Residential
Square Footage
dential Units
332.1 123
n Reside
3,741
Tsunami Vulnerability Summary
Water System
Facilities
W
15 ter Syste
2 Systems & Infrastructure
0 0
0 1
The number of people, residential units, and non-residential development (square feet) located within the mapped tsunami hazard area.

The number of critical facilities categorized by community lifeline type located within the mapped tsunami hazard area.

Health & Medical
Facilities
Communications
Facilities
Safety & Security
Facilities
Hazardous
Materials Facilities
Transportation
Facilities
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Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010. Additionally, several master-planned communities were developed and completed, including Talega and Sea Summit, which span nearly 4,000 acres and bring 4,000 new residential units to the City. Past land use patterns and development trends indicate a significant increase in vulnerability to tsunami in San Clemente since the previous LHMP was developed.

Looking forward, the City anticipates the majority of population growth and development to occur within established and existing neighborhoods. Several neighborhoods intersect with mapped tsunami inundation zones within the City. Specifically, the North Beach and North El Camino Real and the Pier Bowl neighborhoods are located in the tsunami hazard zone. Based on anticipated population growth and development, it is reasonable to assume that vulnerability to tsunami within San Clemente will increase over the 5-year planning period of this LHMP.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

Mapped tsunami zones in San Clemente are generally confined to the coastline of the City.

Mapped tsunami zones intersect with Census Tracts 42107, 42108 and 42201 which have been identified as SVP as they face the highest percentages of cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations who speak English “less than well”. These SVPs and other high-risk individuals exist throughout the planning area and may be present within the mapped tsunami zone despite a census tract’s social vulnerability classification. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be tsunami evacuation efforts and access to emergency services during a tsunami event.

Cost-burdened residents and those without insurance are especially vulnerable to the impacts of tsunamis. These communities often live in areas more susceptible to tsunami hazards and may lack the financial means to relocate or make necessary home improvements to withstand significant tsunami damage. Additionally, these populations may not have insurance to cover damages to their homes and belongings following a tsunami. These social and economic disparities can further hinder their ability to recover, leaving them at greater risk of long-term displacement and financial hardship after a tsunami.

Minority populations and individuals with limited English proficiency face increased vulnerability to tsunamis due to cultural and language barriers. These groups may encounter difficulties in receiving timely warnings, understanding tsunami evacuation instructions, and accessing emergency services. Limited access to resources and potential socioeconomic disadvantages can exacerbate their vulnerability. Ensuring preparedness, clear emergency communication, and inclusive response plans are crucial to effectively protect these vulnerable communities. 542
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Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of tsunamis, as their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make rapid evacuation extremely challenging when faced with the sudden onset of powerful waves and flooding. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted if facilities are inundated.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly at risk during a tsunami due to their unfamiliarity with the area and lack of established support systems. They may not be aware of tsunami evacuation routes or local emergency procedures, making it difficult for them to respond quickly. Additionally, they might not have access to timely information about the tsunami or the resources needed to cope with the aftermath. These factors make socially vulnerable populations throughout San Clemente especially susceptible to the impacts of tsunamis.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8, #11 and #12, to mitigate tsunami impacts on SVPs including issues related to preparedness, tsunami evacuations, and access to critical emergency services.

Fire is an integral component of many of California’s ecosystems. However, uncontrolled fire hazards threaten lives, property, and natural resources and also present a considerable risk to vegetation and wildlife habitat. Fires occur in wildland and urban areas. A wildland fire is a large destructive fire that can spread quickly over woodland or brush. A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels. Wildfires can be caused by human error (such as campfires), intentionally by arson, by mechanical sources of ignition (such as heaters and generators), and by natural events (such as lightning). Wildfires often occur in forests or other areas with ample vegetation. In areas where structures and other human development meets or intermingles with wildland or vegetative fuels (referred to as the wildland urban interface), wildfires can cause significant property damage and present extreme threats to public health and safety.

There are three categories of interface fire: the classic wildland urban interface exists where welldefined urban and suburban development presses up against open wildland areas; the mixed wildland urban interface is characterized by isolated homes, subdivisions and small communities situated predominantly in wildland settings; and the occluded wildland urban interface exists where islands of wildland vegetation occur inside a largely urbanized area. The wildland-urban interface is present in the eastern inland portion of the City. Wildland located within Orange County and the 125,000 acres Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton is directly adjacent to the City of San Clemente.

Certain conditions must be present for significant interface fires to occur. The most common conditions include: hot, dry and windy weather; the inability of fire protection forces to contain or suppress the fire; the occurrence of multiple fires that overwhelm committed resources; and a large fuel load (dense vegetation). Once a fire has started, several conditions influence its behavior, including fuel topography, weather, drought and development.

Southern California faces challenges with wildfire hazards from the increasing number of houses being built in the wildland-urban interface. Every year the growing population has expanded further and further into the hills and mountains, including into brush and forest lands. The 543
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increased “interface” between urban/suburban areas and the open spaces created by this expansion has produced a significant increase in threats to life and property from fires and has pushed existing fire protection systems beyond original or current design and capability.

During wildfire season, SDG&E monitors weather conditions in fire prone areas. To prevent strong winds and extreme heat from causing fire accidents, SDG&E may proactively turn off power through activation of their Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. Power outages as a secondary effect is discussed in detail in Section 4.13, Severe Weather.

Certain conditions must be present for significant wildfires to occur. The most common conditions include hot, dry, and windy weather; the inability of fire protection forces to contain or suppress the fire; the occurrence of multiple fires that overwhelm firefighting resources; and a large fuel load (dense vegetation). Once a fire has started, several conditions influence behavior as described in the location/extent section.

The Santa Ana winds can also further exacerbate wildfires. Santa Ana winds ranging from 45 to 100 mph push dry air from the inland deserts of California and the Southwest over the mountains that lie between these desert areas and coastal California. The Santa Ana winds also remove moisture in the air resulting in evaporation and dry vegetation.173 Dry vegetation acts as a fuel for wildfires to grow, with the strong Santa Ana winds driving wildfire spread.174 Wildfire Smoke [Secondary Impact]
Wildfire smoke poses a risk to the City of San Clemente as a secondary hazard. Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings, and other materials.175 Fine particulate matter are particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers, which can be inhaled deeply into the lungs. When inhaled, fine particulate matter, also referred to as PM2.5, increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory problems. Additionally, wildfire smoke is a complex mixture that consists of other pollutants that have also been shown to lead to a variety of health effects.

Wildfire smoke distribution is affected by factors such as wind, weather, terrain, and fire heat intensity.176 Wind, particularly the Santa Ana winds, may affect wildfire smoke by either clearing out an area or blow more smoke in or fan the flames which can therefore intensify the fire and worsen smoke.177 Intense heat generated by wildfire can drive smoke high into the air where it remains until it cools and beings to descend to ground level however it becomes more diluted and widespread. Terrain affects smoke concentrations by altering dispersal patterns.178 For example, as the sun warms mountain slopes, air is heated and rises, ultimately bringing smoke and fire with it from lower elevations. After sunlight passes, the terrain cools and the air descend, creating a down-slope airflow that can alter smoke dispersal.
173 Spectrum News 1, What are Santa Ana winds and do they cause wildfires?, https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/lawest/weather/2020/10/01/what-are-santa-ana-winds-and-do-they-cause-wildfires-, published November 5, 2021, accessed June 28, 2024.
174 KTLA, What are Santa Ana winds and how do they impact fire season?, https://ktla.com/news/local-news/what-are-santa-anawinds-and-how-do-they-impact-fireseason/#:~:text=Santa%20Ana%20winds%20are%20often%20strong%20enough%2C%20and%20being%20warm,perfect%20envir onment%20for%20a%20fire., published November 18, 2022, accessed June 28, 2024. 175 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Body, https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfiresmoke/default.htm, published April 19, 2024, accessed June 28, 2024. 176 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke, https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smokecourse/challenges-predicting-smoke-concentrations, updated February 2, 2024, accessed June 28, 2024. 177 Ibid. 178 Ibid.
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Wildfire smoke is measured by the Air Quality Index (AQI). The AQI also focuses on health effects within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air. The EPA calculates the AQI for five major air pollutants regulated by the Clean Air Act: ground-level ozone, particle pollution (also known as particulate matter), carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide.179 The AQI is divided into six categories ranging from good to hazardous (refer to Table 4-26, Air Quality Index).

Table 4-26
Air Quality Index Table
Air Quality Index Category Associated Health Impacts
0 – 50 Good Air quality is satisfactory and poses little or no risk 51 – 100 Moderate Sensitive individuals should avoid outdoor activity as they may experience respiratory symptoms
101 – 150 Unhealthy for Sensitive
Groups
General public and sensitive individuals in particular are at risk to experience irritation and respiratory problems
151 – 200 Unhealthy Increased likelihood of adverse effects and aggravation to the heart and lungs among general public
201 – 300 Very Unhealthy General public will be noticeably affected. Sensitive groups should restrict outdoor activities.
301 – 500 Hazardous General public at high risk of experiencing strong irritations and adverse health effects. Should avoid outdoor activities.

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Air Data Basic Information, https://www.epa.gov/outdoor-air-quality-data/air-data-basicinformation, updated December 8, 2023, accessed August 10, 2024.

Health effects of wildfire smoke may be relatively minor, such as respiratory irritation, or may be serious and cause significant respiratory problems, heart failure, and death.180 Certain groups of people are more susceptible to the effects of wildfire smoke. Particularly vulnerable populations include people with pre-existing health conditions (asthma, chronic respiratory conditions, cardiovascular disease), children 18 and younger, people over the age of 65, pregnant people, outdoor workers, people of color, tribal and indigenous people, and people with low income and/or people experiencing homelessness.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) prepares fire hazard severity maps including mapping areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), define the application of various mitigation strategies and influence how people construct buildings and protect property to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. While FHSZ do not predict when or where a wildfire will occur, zones identify where wildfire hazards could be more severe and therefore, are of greater concern for mitigation purposes.

According to the City VHFHSZ map shown in Figure 4-22, Fire Hazards Area, three City neighborhoods are located within a Very High Fire Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), including the Talega, Rancho San Clemente, and Northern San Clemente neighborhoods. In addition to the mapped wildfire hazard zones within the planning area, a portion of the City’s eastern boundary is mapped 179 National Weather Service NOAA, Air Quality Index, https://www.weather.gov/safety/airquality-aqindex, updated 2024, accessed June 28, 2024.
180 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke, https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smokecourse/health-effects-attributed-wildfire-smoke, accessed August 15, 2024. 545
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immediately adjacent to the Orange County VHFHSZ. Thus, the neighborhoods adjacent to the County VHFHSZ may also experience higher risk and vulnerability, despite not mapped within a wildfire hazard zone.

Land uses within the City VHFHSZ include open space areas, low residential areas, and some public areas. Adjacent to the City is large open space managed by the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. The City of San Clemente contracts Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) for any fire services. OFCA services include technical rescue, fire prevention, fire investigation, hazardous materials response, public information/education, paramedic, and ambulance transport services.181 Camp Pendleton is supported by the Camp Pendleton Fire Department, a full-service fire department comprised of 175 firefighters and emergency services located at 11 fire stations spread across the base.182 On average, the base experiences approximately 185 training-related vegetation fires annually while also performing prescribed burns before the start of fire season.183,184
Several policies are in place to prevent wildfires in the City. One policy prohibits the use of sky lanterns as they pose a serious fire safety hazard; City of San Clemente Municipal Code Section

8.16.050. The City also has a weed abatement program, San Clemente Municipal Code Chapter

8.24, which consists of monitoring for overgrowth of vegetation, and violations if vegetation if property owners do not manage vegetation overgrowth.

181 Fire Service, San Clemente, https://www.san-clemente.org/department-services/safety-services/fire-services, updated 2024, accessed June 28, 2024.
182 Marines, MCB Camp Pendleton, https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Wildland-Fire-Information-Prevention/, accessed August 14, 2024.
183 Marines, MCB Camp Pendleton, https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Wildland-Fire-Information-Prevention/, accessed October 10, 2024.
184 Marines, Pendleton Firefighters Prep for 2021 Fire Season with Prescribed Burn, https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/MainMenu/News/Article/Article/2670935/pendleton-firefighters-prep-for-2021-fire-season-with-prescribed-burn/, published May 17, 2021, accessed October 10, 2024.
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Figure 4-22
Wildfire Hazard Zone
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The magnitude and severity of wildfire impacts can vary significantly, based on size, scale and location of the fire. Wildfires are not measured on a specific scale and are usually classified by size or impact. The size and severity of any fire depends on the availability of fuel, weather conditions, and topography, although wildfires in the wildland urban interface do not need to be significant in acreage to be damaging. Small fires in Orange and San Diego County history have been known to cause significant property damage or loss of human life.

Fire protection challenges occur where development is located within and directly adjacent to wildland urban interface areas, thus increasing the extent of the hazard. As the number of structural features increases, so does the risk of incidence of fire. Due to the location of development within and adjacent to the VHFHSZ, there is the potential for a wildfire to spread quickly within the City, depending on the conditions and nature of the fire.

Wildfire Smoke [Secondary Impact]
The extent of wildfire smoke would depend heavily on the size and severity of the wildfire as well as weather and wind patterns. Larger wildfires generally create more significant wildfire smoke impacts that extend throughout the County. This may be exacerbated by strong winds which would drive the smoke further throughout the planning area. Various health impacts are associated with wildfire smoke and poor air quality including coughing, phlegm, wheezing, difficulty breathing, eye irritation, heart failure, and death. Impacts would worsen with increased duration of exposure. Poor air quality and wildfire smoke may impact people even when indoors, leading to health impacts. However, vulnerable populations are most at risk of the health impacts associated with wildfire smoke.185
The nearest air quality monitoring stations to the City of San Clemente are ARB #30002 in Mission Viejo and #80198 in Camp Pendleton.186
On January 21, 1976, a wildfire in southern California burned 2,400 acres starting from Camp Pendleton into the City of San Clemente. The fire destroyed 16 homes and damaged 144 others.187 This fire resulted in the first residential sprinkler ordinance requiring fire sprinklers in all new homes.188
In November 1990, a brush fire fanned by the Santa Ana winds broke out in Camp Pendleton which ultimately closed the I-5 for 12 hours.189 The fire burned 7,000 acres and severed the Interstate 5 link between Orange County and San Diego causing high traffic congestion.190 More than 500 firefighters from Camp Pendleton, San Diego, and Orange counties as well as state and federal forestry firefighters were called to help put out the flames. 185 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke, https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smokecourse/health-effects-attributed-wildfire-smoke, accessed April 15, 2024. 186 California Air Resources Board, Air Monitoring Sites, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/applications/air-monitoring-sites-interactive-map, updated 2024, accessed June 26, 2024.
187 Wildfire Today, Chief Ron Coleman looks back 35 years at 2,400-acre fire, https://wildfiretoday.com/2011/01/21/chief-roncoleman-looks-35-years-back-at-2400-acre-fire/, published January 21, 2011, accessed June 26, 2024. 188 Ibid. 189 The Los Angeles Times, Camp Pendleton Blaze Smothers I-5 for Hours: Fire Freeway is closed 12 hours, and 7,000 acres are burned. The blaze is not expected to be controlled until today at the earliest, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-08- mn-5697-story.html?_gl=1*8q0eha*_gcl_au*MTkxMjc3MjY3OC4xNzE5NDMxMTU3, published November 8, 1990, accessed June 28, 2024.
190 Ibid.
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On July 5, 2017, the “La Pata Fire”, a brush fire, burned through 52 acres in the City. Two helicopters and two air tankers were called and seventy-five firefighters from both Orange County Fire Authority and Camp Pendleton responded to contain the fire.191 No injuries were reported.

On April 7, 2024, a residential fire occurred in a home on the 2300 block of Calle La Serna. The fire was contained in 49 minutes and no injuries were reported. One person was detained by Orange County Sheriff.192
On May 27, 2024, a fire broke out at a restaurant on the 200 block of S. El Camino Real. Over 50 firefighters responded, and no injuries were reported.193 No federally declared disasters related to wildfire events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Wildfire Smoke [Secondary Impact]
Previous occurrences of wildfire smoke impacting the City is very limited. However, on November 1, 2023, the Highland Fire in Riverside County and a 1,200-acre grass fire in Camp Pendleton caused wildfire smoke advisory for the City of San Clemente and neighboring cities. Residents were urged to limit their exposure by staying indoors with windows and doors closed, running air conditioners or air purifiers, and avoiding vigorous outdoor physical activity.

In September 2024, South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory in response to the Line, Bridge, and Airport Fires. Orange County was impacted, however the planning area still had Moderate AQI category or higher.194 No federally declared disasters related to wildfire smoke events have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-28, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.

Given the history of wildfire events in and near the City of San Clemente, the probability of wildfire occurring in the future is considered likely. A likely probability means a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years. The combination of fuels, weather, and topography, along with the presence of wildland urban interfaces, creates a risk for personal injury, loss of life, and damage to property. However, the area typically receives enough precipitation to suppress wildfire conditions, making large wildfires an uncommon occurrence in the past. Wildfire smoke as a secondary hazard is also considered to have a likely probability of occurrence in the future for similar reasons.
191 ABC 7, Brush fire scorches 53 acres in San Clemente, https://abc7.com/san-clemente-brush-fire-southern-california-orangecounty-fires/2185967/, published July 5, 2017, accessed October 10, 2024. 192 NBC Los Angeles, Orange County firefighters battle early morning fire at San Clemente home, https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/orange-county-fires-battle-early-morning-fire-at-san-clemente-home/3381898/, published April 7, 2024, accessed October 10, 2024.
193 Hoodline Los Angeles, Video: Over 50 Firefighters Respond to Restaurant Blaze in San Clemente, No Injuries Were Reported, https://hoodline.com/2024/05/over-50-firefighters-respond-to-restaurant-blaze-in-san-clemente-no-injuries-reported/, published May 27, 2024, accessed October 10, 2024.
194 NBC 7, Map: See air quality conditions during Southern California’s wildfire, https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/californiawildfires/wildfire-smoke-air-quality/3513666/, published September 17, 2024, accessed October 10, 2024. 549
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While the City has a limited history of major wildfire occurrences, there is a likelihood of future wildfire occurrence in surrounding areas. Outbreaks of wildfire may occur during the dry season or following periods of limited rainfall or drought. Large regional fires outside the City of San Clemente may result in wildfire smoke impacts depending on the severity, location, weather, and wind patterns of the fire. The LHMP planning team assigned a high hazard planning consideration to the hazards and impacts associated with wildfire based upon a likely probability and the potential impacts of future events.

Wildfire Smoke [Secondary Impact]
As smoke can travel hundreds or thousands of miles, air quality can also be a problem from the wildfire itself.195 Predicting if air quality will improve or worsen can be difficult because of the unpredictable behavior of wildfires and factors such as wind, weather, and terrain.196 For example, a wind that usually clears out a valley could also blow more smoke in an area or even fan the flames therefore intensifying the fire and worsening smoke. Given the history of wildfire events in and near the City of San Clemente, the probability of wildfire smoke occurring in the future is considered likely. A likely probability means a 10% to 90% probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 1 to 10 years.

Climate change and global warming patterns cause an increase in temperatures, as well as more frequent and intense drought conditions. This is understood to be a contributing factor to more frequent and severe wildfires. As mentioned previously, the severity of a wildfire is dependent on the amount of oxygen, heat, wind, relative humidity, and fuel. Most of these factors have direct or indirect ties to climate change and increased global temperatures.

A 2016 study identified the contribution of climate change to dry vegetation as it doubled the occurrence of large fires from 1984 and 2015 throughout the western United States.197 As climate change continues to increase global temperatures, drought conditions and excessive heat may become more common.198 Excessive heat and low humidity during the summer and fall months are likely to occur. This would increase dry vegetation, which could cause wildfires to move more quickly or spread into developed areas.

Regional wildfires will likely become an increased threat in the City of San Clemente and surrounding areas. Wildfires release smoke, ash, and other particulate matter that degrade air and water quality. Thus, fires located in various parts of the City of San Clemente and surrounding areas can negatively impact air and water quality throughout the planning area. As such, wildfire mitigation should consider the cumulative impacts associated with climate change.

Wildfire Smoke [Secondary Impact]
As climate change increases the intensity and frequency of wildfires, this will inevitably increase the amount of wildfire smoke. According to the Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, 195 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Challenges in Predicting Smoke Concentrations, https://www.epa.gov/wildfiresmoke-course/challenges-predicting-smoke-concentrations, updated February 2, 2024, accessed June 19, 2024. 196 Ibid. 197 John, T. Abatzoglou, and A. Park William, “Impact of Anthropogenic Climate Change on Wildfire Across western US Forests,” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, October 10, 2016. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1607171113, accessed August 15, 2024.
198 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Wildfire Climate Connection, https://www.noaa.gov/noaa-wildfire/wildfireclimate-connection, accessed August 15, 2024. 550
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about one-third of all particulate matter pollution in the United States comes from wildfire smoke – wildfires that are more intense and common because of climate change.199 Significant areas of the planning area face high vulnerability to the wildfire hazard, particularly focused in open areas along the City’s southern and eastern borders. Folsom Ridge and Coyote Bluff, near the City of San Juan Capistrano, also face increased vulnerability to wildfire.

Approximately 4,927 residential units are located within the wildfire hazard area. Vulnerable residential units multiplied by the average 2.7 persons per household for San Clemente indicates that approximately 13,303 people reside in a wildfire hazard zone. Additionally, over eight thousand square feet of non-residential structures are located within the wildfire hazard area.

Critical facilities located within the City’s identified wildfire hazard zone have been listed in Table 4-27, Critical Facilities in Wildfire Hazard Zone.

Table 4-27
Critical Facilities in Wildfire Hazard Zone
Map ID Name Asset Type Community Lifeline Replacement Value 1 Animal Shelter Government
Service Safety and Security $1,917,850
2 Baron Von Willard Dog
Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $560,000
22 Fire Station 60 Fire Service Safety and Security $1,630,720 44 Our Lady of Fatima
Academy Private School Safety and Security $3,603,600
50 Ralphs Skate Court Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $355,000
52 Richard T. Steed
Memorial Park
Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $18,595,000
67 South County Urgent
Care Urgent Care Health and Medical $3,000,695
68 Talega Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $2,675,000
69 Talega Substation
[Outside of City
Boundary, but Shown in
Map]
Electric
Substation Energy $50,000,000
75 Vista Bahia Park Parks and
Recreation Safety and Security $1,075,000
80 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 81 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 85 Water Reservoir Potable Water Water Systems $1,500,000 89 Camino Health Center Medical Facility Health and Medical $3,000,695 199 Stanford Center for Innovation in Global Health, How climate change exacerbates air pollution (and its health impacts), https://globalhealth.stanford.edu/planetary-health-fellowship/how-climate-change-exacerbates-air-pollution-and-its-healthimpacts.html/, published August 24, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024. 551
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Depending upon the extent and magnitude of a wildfire event, major transportation routes could become severely congested or inaccessible. Evacuation efforts may face challenges due to limited exit routes available in the event of a wildfire, especially for socially vulnerable populations.

Wildfire smoke may cause emergency medical events that hinder the ability for residents and visitors to exit the hazard area, and smoke may be carried through the air to areas outside of the City, impacting the health of nearby populations. Wildfire impacts to critical facilities in the planning area such as local pump stations, reservoirs, water treatment facilities, and other utility stations could result in loss of power, gas, and water supply. Critical facilities designated as shelter locations may be damaged or inaccessible during a wildfire event, increasing the vulnerability of the local population to secondary hazards such as smoke inhalation. 552
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People Residential Units Non-Residential
Square Footage
sidentialUni
4,927
Pl
13,302.9
n Residential
8,766
Wildfire Vulnerability Summary
Water System
Facilities
W
8 ter Syste
3 Systems & Infrastructure
1 2
0 0
The number of people, residential units, and non-residential development (square feet) located within the mapped wildfire hazard area.

The number of critical facilities categorized by community lifeline type located within the mapped wildfire hazard area.

Health & Medical
Facilities
Energy
Facilities
Safety & Security
Facilities
Hazardous
Materials Facilities
Transportation
Facilities
553
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-133
Changes in Vulnerability
Since the 2004 LHMP, population patterns, development and land use have substantially changed in the planning area. As discussed in Section 3.5, the City experienced a 27% growth in population between 2000 and 2010. Additionally, several master-planned communities were developed and completed, including Talega and Sea Summit, which span nearly 4,000 acres and bring 4,000 new residential units to the City. Land use patterns and development trends during this period indicate a significant increase in vulnerability to the wildfire hazard.

At the time of this LHMP preparation, the City anticipates the majority of population growth, land use changes and development to occur within established and urbanized neighborhoods. Multiple neighborhoods intersect with mapped wildfire areas within the City, indicating increased wildfire vulnerability over the next five years due to any population growth within these neigbhorhoods.

Rancho San Clemente Business Park, Talega Business Park, and S. El Camino Real (East of I5) show the most significant intersection with wildfire vulnerability areas, with significant wildfire vulnerability distributed across the northeastern and southeastern corners of the planning area.

Section 3.8 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.

Mapped wildfire zones within the City are generally confined to the hills and open areas east of the I-5 freeway. The wildfire hazard area in the southeast corner of the City, including the Our Lady of Fatima Academy, intersects with Census Tract 42113 which has been identified as one of the census tracts with the highest percentages of cost-burdened residents spending 30% or more of their income on housing, uninsured residents, minority populations, and populations who speak English “less than well”. These SVPs and other high-risk individuals exist throughout the planning area and may be present within the mapped wildfire zone despite a census tract’s social vulnerability classification. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be evacuation efforts and access to emergency services and supplies.

Cost-burdened residents and uninsured residents are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of wildfires. These communities may reside in areas more prone to wildfires, as is the case in Census Tract 42113, and may lack the financial resources to relocate or make necessary home improvements to withstand significant fire damage. These residents may also lack insurance to cover damages to their homes and assets following a wildfire and lack the financial means to conduct wildfire retrofits that would reduce vulnerability. These social and economic disparities can further hinder their ability to recover, leaving them at greater risk of long-term displacement and financial hardship following a wildfire.

Minority populations and those who speak English less than well are more vulnerable to the impacts of wildfires due to cultural and language barriers. These groups may face challenges in receiving timely warnings, understanding evacuation instructions, and accessing emergency 554
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-134
services. Limited access to resources and potential socioeconomic disadvantages can exacerbate their vulnerability. Ensuring preparedness, clear communication, and inclusive response plans are crucial to protect these communities effectively.

Disabled patients in congregate care, assisted living facilities, or similar patient care environments are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of wildfires. Their limited mobility and dependence on caregivers make rapid evacuation extremely challenging when faced with fast-moving flames and dense smoke. Their complex medical needs require continuous care and access to medications, which can be severely disrupted if facilities are damaged or if air quality deteriorates.

Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable during a wildfire due to their unfamiliarity with the area and lack of established support systems. They may not be aware of evacuation routes or local emergency procedures, making it difficult for them to respond quickly. Additionally, they might not have access to timely information about the wildfire or the resources needed to cope with the aftermath. These factors make socially vulnerable populations throughout San Clemente especially susceptible to the impacts of wildfires.

Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 5. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions #4, #7, #8, #11 and #12, to mitigate wildfire impacts on SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuations, and access to emergency services.

As required by the recently updated FEMA policy guidelines, a summary of federally declared disasters specifically affecting the planning area within with last five years is included below as Table 4-28. Specific effects are also outlined in the hazard profiles, previous occurrences sections (where applicable) within Sections 4.5 to 4.15.

Table 4-28
Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area Declaration Date Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory
Incident Description Effect on Planning Area
January 9, 2023 3591 Flood
Severe winter storms, flooding,
and mudslides impacted the
State of California in January
2023.

March 10, 2023 3592 Flood
Severe winter storms, flooding,
landslides, and mudslides
impacted the State of California
in March 2023.

While Orange County was
included in this federal disaster
declaration due to the impact of
this storm, the City was not
significantly affected. No damage
to persons or property in the
planning area have been
reported.
555
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-135
Declaration Date Disaster
Number
Incident
Subcategory
Incident Description Effect on Planning Area
March 22, 2020 4482 Biological COVID-19 pandemic See DR-3428 below March 13, 2020 3428 Biological COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused
by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, began
in December 2019 and rapidly
spread worldwide, leading to
significant health, social, and
economic disruptions. As of 2024,
Orange County has confirmed
over 550,000 cases and nearly
7,000 deaths due to COVID-19.

Table 4-29, Risk Assessment Summary Table, shows a summary of critical facilities that intersect with hazard areas in the City. Those facilities that intersect with a hazard area are indicated with a “Y” and a red-shaded cell. Facilities that do not fall within the hazard area are designated with an “N” and a green-shaded cell. The risks of drought, expansive soils, human-caused hazards, and severe weather hazards are equal throughout the community. 556
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-136
Table 4-29
Risk Assessment Summary Table
No. Facility
Hazard
Coastal
Erosion
Dam
Failure Drought Expansi ve Soils Flood Human Caused Hazards Landslide and Slope Failure Seismic Hazards (Liquefa ction) Severe Weather Hazards Tsunami Wildfire 1 Animal Shelter N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y2 Baron Von Willard Dog Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y3 Beach Restrooms/Concessions - NB Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 4 Beach Restrooms - Linda Lane Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 5 Beach Restrooms/Concessions - T-Street North Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N 6 Beach Restrooms - T-Street South Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 7 Base of Pier Restrooms Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 8 Bernice Ayer Middle School N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 9 Bonito Canyon Park N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N 10 Boys and Girls Club N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 11 Canyon View Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 12 Califia Beach Park Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 13 Casa Romantica Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 14 City Library and Parking Lot N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 15 City Municipal Pier & Lifeguard Tower Zero Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 16 Clarence Lobo Elementary School N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 17 Community Center N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 18 Concordia Elementary School N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 19 Family Assistance Ministries N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 20 Fire Station 50 N Y Y Y N Y N N Y N N 21 Fire Station 59 N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 22 Fire Station 60 N N Y Y N Y N N Y N Y23 Forster Ranch Community Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 24 Jim Johnson Memorial Sports Park N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 25 Las Palmas Elementary School N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 26 Leslie Park Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 557
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-137
No. Facility
Hazard
Coastal
Erosion
Dam
Failure Drought Expansi ve Soils Flood Human Caused Hazards Landslide and Slope Failure Seismic Hazards (Liquefa ction) Severe Weather Hazards Tsunami Wildfire 27 Liberty Park N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N 28 Lifeguard Tower 14 Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 29 Lifeguard Tower 1 Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 30 Lifeguard Tower 5 Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N 31 Lifeguard Tower 6 Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 32 Linda Lane Park Y N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 33 Maintenance Building N N Y Y N Y N Y Y N N 34 Maintenance Services N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N 35 Marblehead Elementary School N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 36 Marblehead Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 37 Marine Safety Building Y N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N 38 Max Berg Plaza Park N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 39 MEDHERO Urgent Care N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 40 Mira Costa Park N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 41 Municipal Golf Course N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 42 North Beach Public Building Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N 43 Ole Hanson Beach Club and Pool Y N Y Y N Y Y Y Y Y N 44 Our Lady of Fatima Academy N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y45 Palisades Reservoir N Y Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 46 Parque Del Mar Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y Y N 47 Pico Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 48 Pump Station at Avenida De La Paz N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 49 Pump Station at Pico/Amanecer N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 50 Ralphs Skate Court N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y51 Rancho San Clemente Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 52 Richard T. Steed Memorial Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y53 San Clemente City Hall and Police Station N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 54 San Clemente High School N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N 558
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-138
No. Facility
Hazard
Coastal
Erosion
Dam
Failure Drought Expansi ve Soils Flood Human Caused Hazards Landslide and Slope Failure Seismic Hazards (Liquefa ction) Severe Weather Hazards Tsunami Wildfire 55 San Clemente High School Upper N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 56 San Clemente Metrolink Station Y N Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N 57 San Clemente Medi-Center N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 58 San Clemente Pier Amtrak Station Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y Y N 59 San Clemente State Beach Y N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 60 San Diego Gas & Electric Facility and Service Yard N Y Y Y N Y N N Y N N 61 San Gorgonio Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 62 San Luis Rey Park N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 63 Senior Center N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 64 Sewer Plant Maintenance Yard N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N 65 Shorecliffs Middle School N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 66 SONGS N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 67 South County Urgent Care N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y68 Talega Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y69 Talega Substation N N Y Y N Y N N Y N Y70 Tierra Grande Park N N Y Y N Y N Y Y N N 71 Truman Benedict Elementary School N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 72 United States Postal Service N N Y Y N Y N Y Y N N 73 United States Postal Service N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 74 Verde Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 75 Vista Bahia Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y76 Vista Del Mar Elementary and Middle School N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 77 Vista Del Sol Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 78 Vista Hermosa Sports Park N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 79 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 80 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y81 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y82 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 559
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Section 4, Hazards Assessment Page 4-139
No. Facility
Hazard
Coastal
Erosion
Dam
Failure Drought Expansi ve Soils Flood Human Caused Hazards Landslide and Slope Failure Seismic Hazards (Liquefa ction) Severe Weather Hazards Tsunami Wildfire 83 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 84 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 85 Water Reservoir N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y86 Water Well N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 87 Hoag Health1 N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 88 Mission Heritage Primary Care N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 89 Camino Health Center N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N Y90 Prima Deshecha Canada Channel (M01) Outfall Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N
91 Segunda Deshecha Canada Channel (M02)
Outfall Y N Y Y Y Y N Y Y Y N
92 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert (N El Camino
Real) Y Y Y Y N Y N Y Y Y N
93 Segunda Deshecha Canada Culvert (E
Avenida Pico) N N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N N
94 Segunda Deshecha Canada Culvert (Calle de
Los Molinos)

N N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N N
95 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert (Avenida
Vaquero South)

N Y Y Y N Y N Y Y N N
96 Segunda Deshecha Canada Culvert (Calle
Frontera)

N N Y Y Y Y Y Y Y N N
97 Segunda Deshecha Canada Culvert (Avenida
Pico)

N N Y Y Y Y N Y Y N N
98 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert (Avenida
Vaquero North)

N Y Y Y N Y N Y Y N N
99 Prima Deshecha Canada Culvert (Calle
Nuevo)

N N Y Y N Y N Y Y N N
100 Segunda Deshecha Canada Beam Bridge
(Avenida Vista Hermosa)

N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N
101 Segunda Deshecha Canada Beam Bridge
(Calle Saluda)

N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N
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No. Facility
Hazard
Coastal
Erosion
Dam
Failure Drought Expansi ve Soils Flood Human Caused Hazards Landslide and Slope Failure Seismic Hazards (Liquefa ction) Severe Weather Hazards Tsunami Wildfire 102 Segunda Deshecha Canada Beam Bridge
(Avenida Talega)

N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N
103 Marblehead Canyon Beam Bridge N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N 104 Forester Ridgeline And Prima Deshecha Trail Beam Bridge

N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N
105 Outlets At San Clemente Bridge (Entrance Into
Outlets)

N N Y Y N Y Y N Y N N
106 San Luis Rey Bridge (Over I-5) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 107 Mendocino Bridge (Over I-5) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 108 I-5 Bridge (Over El Camino Real) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 109 I-5 Bridge (Over Presidio) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 110 I-5 Bridge (Over Palizada) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 111 I-5 Bridge (Over Pico) N N Y Y N Y N Y Y N N 112 Avenida Vista Hermosa Bridge (Over I-5) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 113 I-5 Bridge (Over Vaquero) N N Y Y N Y Y Y Y N N 114 Camino De Estrella/Los Mares Bridge (Over I5) N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N 115 All Components of the Potable Water Network, including pipelines, pump
stations and pressure reducing stations2

N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N
116 All Components of the Sewer Network,
including pipelines, mains, and pump
stations2

N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N
117 All Components of the Recycled Water
Network, including pipelines, pump
stations and pressure reducing stations2

N N Y Y N Y N N Y N N
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Section 5, Mitigation Strategy Page 5-1
Hazard mitigation strategies are used to reduce hazard impacts on critical facilities or other infrastructure identified by the City and LHMP Planning Team. This section is developed from an in-depth review of the vulnerabilities and capabilities described in the previous plan section.

Overall, the mitigation strategies are actions which represent the City’s approach to reducing and/or eliminating potential losses as identified in Section 4.0.

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

The City is a participant of the NFIP and implements the requirements of NFIP through the San Clemente Municipal Code Chapter 15.76, Flood Damage Prevention. Specific administration and enforcement regulations are outlined in Sections 15.76.060 to Sections 15.76.150. Section

15.76.070, Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard, states: “The areas of special flood hazard, areas of flood-related erosion hazard, and areas of mudslide (i.e., mudflow) hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) in a scientific and engineering report entitled "Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Orange County, California and Incorporated Areas," dated February 5, 1992, with an accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRMs) and Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs) and all subsequent revisions, are adopted by reference and declared to be part of this chapter.” The latest FIRM maps adopted for the City are dated effective March 21, 2019.

The San Clemente Municipal Code Section 15.76.130 designated the Community Development Director responsible for administering and implementing the provisions of the NFIP. All development, including new construction and substantial improvements, within designated special flood hazard zones must be in full compliance with Chapter 15.76. The terms “new construction” and “substantial improvement” are defined in Section 125.76.050 of the Municipal Code. All new construction and substantial improvement are subject to the development standards outlined in Chapter 15.76, which implement NFIP requirements. Requirements for new construction and significant improvement would also apply after any event where the property has been impacted by flood. No other specific regulations or requirements are outlined in the City code for implementation after any event where a property had substantial improvement or damage. Significant flood events are rare within the City, even during heavy precipitation years.

To date, the City contains one Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) and four Repetitive Loss (RL) properties within the jurisdiction.

Additionally, it is noted that the City’s General Plan Land Use Map, and Coastal Land use Plan (LUP) map identify where specific land uses are allowed within the City. The two major drainages 562
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Section 5, Mitigation Strategy Page 5-2
within the City are as follows: one is located along Avenida Pico from just north of Avenida La Pata, near the Montessori School of San Clemente, down to the Pacific Ocean across N El Camino Real. The other drainage is located between the I-5 freeway and Via Cascadia, just northwest of Shorecliffs Middle School. This land use does not permit habitable development within either drainage, nor would other regulatory easements permit habitable development. The City will continue to use and implement General Plan land use designations to control development within flood hazard zones.

The LHMP Project Management Team and the LHMP Planning Team discussed each mitigation action to identify priority, using the following as guidance:
x High Priority: Top organizational priority and is a well-detailed project idea. Protects population, resource, facility, or property at considerable risk. Uses feasible methods, techniques, or technology.
x Medium Priority: A promising idea that needs more information or is an action that addresses a moderate hazard.
x Low Priority: An idea that needs more information or will take a lot of preliminary action to build support.

The hazard ranking exercise was completed as part of LHMP Planning Team Meeting #1.

Additional discussion during focus group meetings and the LHMP Planning Team Meeting #2 influenced the ultimate priority and timeline of each hazard. The LHMP Planning Team considered the frequency and severity of the hazard; the vulnerability of critical facilities or infrastructure; the impacts the mitigation action would avoid or reduce; the benefits of the action on the community; the critical facilities that would benefit; the environmental benefits of the action; and the capability of the City to implement the action. For example, actions may require further study or information but were identified as a high priority because of current conditions (i.e., heightened risk of the hazard, probability of future occurrences, or lack of redundancy established in a specific portion of the community). Several actions were identified as high priority, while the nature and complexity of the action involves a “long-term” timeline of five or more years.

The LHMP Planning Team used the STAPLE/E (Social, Technical, Administrative, Political, Legal, Economic, and Environmental) criteria, as described in Table 5-1, STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria, when considering and prioritizing the most appropriate mitigation alternatives for the City. This methodology, as endorsed by FEMA, requires that social, technical, administrative, political, legal, economic, and environmental considerations be considered when reviewing potential actions. This process was used to help ensure that the most equitable and feasible actions would be undertaken based on the City’s unique capabilities. 563
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Section 5, Mitigation Strategy Page 5-3
Table 5-1
STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria
STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
Social
x Is the proposed action socially acceptable to the jurisdiction and surrounding community?
x Are there equity issues involved that would mean that one segment of the jurisdiction and/or community is treated unfairly?
x Will the action cause social disruption?
Technical
x Will the proposed action work?
x Will it create more problems than it solves?
x Does it solve a problem or only a symptom?
x Is it the most useful action considering other jurisdiction goals? Administrative
x Can the jurisdiction implement the action?
x Is there someone to coordinate and lead the effort?
x Is there sufficient funding, staff, and technical support available? x Are there ongoing administrative requirements that need to be met? Political x Is the action politically acceptable?
x Is there public support both to implement and to maintain the project? Legal
x Is the jurisdiction authorized to implement the proposed action? x Are there legal side effects? Could the activity be construed as a taking? x Will the jurisdiction be liable for action or lack of action? x Will the activity be challenged?
Economic
x What are the costs and benefits of this action?
x Do the benefits exceed the costs?
x Are initial, maintenance, and administrative costs considered? x Has funding been secured for the proposed action? If not, what are the potential funding sources (public, nonprofit, and private)?
x How will this action affect the fiscal capability of the jurisdiction? x What burden will this action place on the tax base or local economy? x What are the budget and revenue effects of this activity? x Does the action contribute to other jurisdiction goals? x What benefits will the action provide?
Environmental
x How will the action affect the environment?
x Will the action need environmental regulatory approvals? x Will it meet local and state regulatory requirements? x Are endangered or threatened species likely to be affected? FEMA requires local governments to analyze the benefits and costs of a range of mitigation actions that can reduce the effects of each hazard within their communities. Benefit-cost analysis is used in hazard mitigation to show if the benefits to life and property protected through mitigation efforts exceed the cost of the mitigation activity. Conducting benefit-cost analysis for a mitigation activity can assist communities in determining whether a project is worth undertaking now to avoid disaster-related damages later. The analysis is based on calculating the frequency and severity of a hazard, avoided future damages, and risk.
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A hazard mitigation plan must demonstrate that a process was employed which emphasized a review of benefits and costs when prioritizing the mitigation actions. The benefit-cost review must be comprehensive to the extent that it can evaluate the monetary as well as the nonmonetary benefits and costs associated with each action. The benefit-cost review should at least consider the following questions:
x How many people will benefit from the action?
x How large an area is impacted?
x How critical are the facilities that benefit from the action (e.g., which is more beneficial to protect, the fire station or the administrative building)? x Environmentally, does it make sense to implement this project for the overall community? More details regarding specific funding mechanisms (both internal funding and grant resources) are provided within Table 5-3, Hazard Mitigation Actions, below.

The previous 2004 LHMP identified 40 mitigation actions for the City of San Clemente. The LHMP Project Management Team reviewed previous mitigation actions from the 2004 LHMP and determined that several listed mitigation actions were completed by the City; these mitigation actions are listed in Table 5-2, Completed 2004 Mitigation Actions with notes regarding action implementation. Because these mitigation actions were completed, these mitigation actions are not carried over into the plan update.

The remainder of mitigation actions from the 2004 were determined to be no longer relevant, and therefore are not carried over into the plan update. The LHMP Project Management Team found many previous mitigation actions broad in nature, and not at the level of specificity needed to support future hazard mitigation grant funding applications. 2004 LHMP mitigation actions tended to include regular administrative functions and upkeep/maintenance actions, which the City integrates into day-to-day staff function. As part of this update, the LHMP Planning Team focused mitigation actions to include capital improvement projects and community engagement campaigns that make the community safer and establish eligibility for FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs.

In addition, risk and vulnerability from natural hazards has changed significantly since 2004. For example, previous mitigation actions listed in the 2004 LHMP regarding nuclear hazards are directed toward the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) facility as an active nuclear generator. The SONGS decommissioning project was initiated in 2013 and Southern California Edison (SCE) estimates the facility will be fully decommissioned by 2033. Mitigation actions in this LHMP update were adjusted to account for the reduced risk and vulnerability associated with the current hazards experienced by the planning area.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Table 5-2
Completed 2004 LHMP Mitigation Actions
Completed 2004 Mitigation Action Notes
Short Term Multi Hazard #3: Establish a formal role for the City of San Clemente Natural Hazards Mitigation Committee to develop a sustainable process for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating city wide mitigation activities.

This LHMP Update established the LHMP Planning Team, and Section 6 documents a sustainable process for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating City-wide mitigation activities.

Short Term Multi Hazard #4: Develop public and private partnerships to foster natural hazard mitigation program coordination and collaboration in the City of San Clemente.

This LHMP Update established the LHMP Planning Team, which facilitated public and private collaboration on the mitigation program included as Section 5.

Long Term Multi Hazard #1: Develop inventories of at-risk buildings and infrastructure and prioritize mitigation projects.

This LHMP Update conducted a vulnerability assessment in Section 4, including a summary of buildings, infrastructure, and people at risk to relevant natural hazards.

Long Term Earthquake Hazard #1: Identify funding resources for structural and nonstructural retrofitting of structures that are identified as seismically vulnerable.

This LHMP Update identifies funding resources for seismic retrofits within the planning area.

Short Term Landslide Hazard #3: Identify safe evacuation routes in high-risk debris flow and landslide areas.

The City of San Clemente Emergency Plan identifies primary evacuation routes for use in a variety of hazard scenarios.

Long Term Landslide Hazard #1: Review local ordinances regarding building and development in landslide prone areas.

San Clemente Municipal Code Chapter 15.04.071, Site Stability Requirements was updated multiple times since the 2004 LHMP, including 2010 and 2015.

Short Term Flood Hazard #2: Recommend revisions to requirements for development within the floodplain, where appropriate.

San Clemente Municipal Code Chapter 15.76, Flood Damage Prevention was updated multiple since the 2004 LHMP; most recent update occurred in 2019.

Short Term Tsunami Hazard #2: Warning Signs on the Beach. The City maintains tsunami hazard and warning signs within coastal areas. Short Term Wildfire Hazard #2: Educate agency personnel on federal cost share and grant programs, Fire Protection Agreements, and other related federal programs so the full array of assistance available to local agencies is understood.

This LHMP Update identifies federal cost share and relevant grant programs to mitigate wildfire risk and vulnerability.

Long Term Wildfire Hazard #1: Encourage development and dissemination of maps relating to the fire hazard to help educate and assist builders and homeowners in being engaged in wildfire mitigation activities and to help guide emergency services during response.

This LHMP Update maps the wildfire hazard zone in the City and identifies engagement activities to assist builders and homeowners engaged in wildfire mitigation. 566
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
The LHMP Planning Team worked together to identify mitigation actions and establish the responsible department, priority level, and timeline. The process used is outlined below:
x Review of the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment presented in Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment;
x Review of the Capabilities Assessment presented in Section 5.3, Capabilities Assessment;
x Review of the results of the community survey and feedback received as part of the community outreach; and,
x The LHMP Planning Team’s discussion of concerns/issues that need to be addressed to reduce hazards to critical facilities and the community.

Table 5-3, Hazard Mitigation Actions, identifies the mitigation action, hazard(s) addressed, agency and/or department responsible for implementation, potential funding source(s), timeline for implementation, and priority.

The timeline for implementation is defined as follows:
x Ongoing: currently in process; or 1-2 years and ongoing thereafter; x Short-Term: 1 to 2 years;
x Medium-Term: 3 to 4 years; and
x Long-Term: 5+ years.

Mitigation actions below may be funded through the City budget, particularly mitigation actions identified as “ongoing.” However, the City will also explore funding for specific mitigation actions through local, State, or federal grant programs. Potential grant programs or funding mechanisms are identified for specific mitigation actions as applicable, below.

The City maintains and annually updates a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) budget that identifies priority City projects and major equipment purchases for all City departments. Identified capital improvement projects were integrated into the LHMP mitigation actions where appropriate for projects with a nexus to resilience or natural hazards. In addition, as part of the annual review and update of the CIP budget, mitigation actions will be reviewed and integrated.

All mitigation actions considered for the City were included in the LHMP and Table 5-3, Hazard Mitigation Actions. There were no mitigation actions considered but excluded from the LHMP. The mitigation action development process is documented in Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation and was a key area of focus during all focus group meetings and Stakeholder Meeting #2. Appendix B, LHMP Planning Team Documentation also documents revisions, comments, and feedback, from the LHMP Planning Team, Project Management staff and the City’s consultant, Michael Baker International.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Table 5-3
Hazard Mitigation Actions
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 1 Evaluate a multi-hazard warning system and alarm with messaging functions for use in a variety of disaster scenarios. Consider locations to cite across the planning area to ensure residents will receive audible warnings.

All Hazards
Internal: Public Works (Emergency Planning) External: OCFA, OCSD FEMA: EMPG Low Long-Term
2 Prepare an Emergency Operations Plan Update. During the EOP update, prioritize streamlining content, removing redundant and out of date material, and modernizing the approach to reflect current risk and vulnerability.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development, Public Works, Public Safety, Utilities, Beaches, Parks & Recreation, Finance and Administration External: OCFA, OCSD FEMA: EMPG, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program CalFIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program High Medium-Term
3 Conduct a City-wide American Disabilities Act (ADA) inventory, to assess compliance amongst the following: City facilities, public right of way, and programs and services. Prioritize bringing City facilities listed as critical facilities into ADA compliance, particularly where the critical facility could serve as an emergency shelter, warming center, cooling center, or provide other critical support services during a disaster.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development
Department, Public Works Department External: American Red Cross US HUD: CDBG FEMA: EMPG,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF US DOT: Transportation Alternatives Program Medium Long-Term
4 Coordinate and engage with the American Red Cross to assist in identifying critical facilities that currently meet the threshold for a certified emergency shelter and advertise these locations within the community with socially vulnerable populations (such as senior citizens and disabled persons). Work with the Red Cross to identify critical facilities that could become Red Cross approved shelters once brought into ADA compliance.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development Department, Public Works Department, Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Department External: American Red Cross
US HUD: CDBG FEMA: EMPG, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF
Medium Long-Term
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 5 Assess City facilities for any required or recommended seismic retrofits. If retrofits are required, identify a funding resource to conduct the retrofits.

All Hazards Internal: Public Works Department
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Medium Long-Term
6 Participate in the County-wide MWDOC/WEROC process to update the Risk and Resilience Assessment and Emergency Response Plan, in compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements.

All Hazards
Internal: Utilities Department External: Municipal Water District of Orange County/Water Emergency Response of Orange County Staff Time, General Fund High Short-Term
7 Support and promote emergency preparedness programming at the San Clemente Senior Center, to conduct outreach and awareness with socially vulnerable populations. Partner with utilities (San Diego Gas & Electric), public safety agencies (OCSD and OCFA), and nonprofits (American Red Cross) on a quarterly basis to provide relevant and helpful information to facilitate outreach.

All Hazards
Internal: Beaches, Parks,
and Recreation Department External: Age Well (contracted with the City), OCFA, OCSD, SDG&E Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
8 Promote emergency warning systems from the Orange County Sheriff Department, AlertOC and the City of San Clemente. Encourage residents to signup to receive alerts through their preferred notification approach. Promote emergency warning system sign-up with underserved or vulnerable populations, who may not be aware of existing notification programs or may require additional coordination/support during evacuation scenarios.

All Hazards
Internal: Public Works (Emergency Planning) External: OCSD, OCFA Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
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City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 9 Support utility providers to harden and strengthen critical lifeline systems to reduce vulnerability, maintain service, and improve recovery times in the event of a hazard event. Examples include, but are not limited to: utility pole reinforcements, undergrounding powerlines, backup generators, modeling scenarios to analyze resilience of distribution network. Coordinate and partner with appropriate utility providers, such as San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Santa Margarita Water District,
South Coast Water District, and communications providers. Collaborate and seek funding for future hardening and strengthening programs.

All Hazards
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works Department External: San Diego Gas & Electric, SoCal Gas, South Coast Water District, Santa Margarita Water District, AT&T, Cox Communications FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF
Medium Ongoing
10 Once the Hoag Urgent Care (Critical Facility #87) opens in San Clemente, meet with local Hoag leadership to discuss mutual support during emergencies or disaster scenarios. Maintain collaboration with existing urgent and medical care providers.

All Hazards
Internal: Public Works Department (Emergency Planning) External: Hoag Healthcare Staff Time, General Fund Medium Short-Term
11 Continue distributing emergency nonperishable food packs to seniors annually at the Dorothy Visser Senior Center, ensuring socially vulnerable populations have five days of food during disasters.

All Hazards
Internal: Beaches, Parks & Recreation Department External: Age Well (contracted with the City) Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
12 Continue to engage the public, with focus on any underserved communities or vulnerable populations, regarding natural hazard risk, vulnerability, and ongoing mitigation actions. Continue to consult and solicit feedback for opportunities to improve communication/engagement procedures and reduce risk/vulnerability within the planning area.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development Department, Administration Department Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 13 Goal: Establish and maintain a 250-foot-wide beach throughout the City by adding sand and retaining sand over the long term such that the function of the beach, as a natural storm and wave buffer is restored whereby the beach provides ongoing and long-term protection for all existing structures and critical public infrastructure on and adjacent to the beach. Continue to develop additional revenue sources as well as identify grants and regional/state/federal partners to fund sand nourishment and replenishment and retention projects and programsin San Clemente to combat coastal erosion now and in the future.

Coastal Erosion
Internal: Community Development Department (Coastal Administrator), Public Works FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF Ocean Protection Council: SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program High Ongoing
14 Continue to evaluate and study a variety of sand sources for use in beach nourishment projects, including the following:
x Nature-Based Sand Retention Study; x Off-Shore Borrow Site Investigation; x Sand Compatibility and Opportunistic Use Program (SCOUP), bringing sediment from the Santa Ana River or Prado Dam to San Clemente; and, x Other sand resources or innovative
technology that assists the City in achieving sand nourishment goals.

Coastal Erosion
Internal: Community Development Department (Coastal Administrator), Public Works FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF Ocean Protection Council: SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program High Ongoing
15 Update the City’s Climate Action Plan and identify a relevant funding source including grant opportunities. Where feasible, link climate actions to the LHMP mitigation actions.

Climate Change Internal: Public Works Department OPR: Adaptation Planning Grant Program Medium Medium-Term 571
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 16 Continue to participate in emergency preparedness exercises for the Palisades Dam Emergency Action Plan with the South Coast Water District and related public safety agencies.

Dam/Reservoir
Failure
Internal: Public Works Department (Emergency Planning) External: South Coast Water District, OCFA, OCSD Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
17 Coordinate with Orange County Sheriff’s Department and Orange County Fire Authority to enhance communication and intelligence for political/social instances that could result in civil disturbance or unrest.

Human Caused
Hazards [Civil
Disturbance]
Internal: Public Works Department (Emergency Planning) External: OCSD, OCFA Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
18 Continue to educate the public regarding proper handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials. Partner with OC Waste & Recycling and the Environmental Health Division where feasible.

Human Caused
Hazards
[Hazardous
Materials]
Internal: Community Development, Public Works, Public Safety External: OC Waste and Recycling, Orange County Environmental Health Division
County of Orange: OC Waste & Recycling (OCWR) Grant ProgramEPA: California - Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) & Used Oil Grant Program US Department of Transportation:Hazardous Materials Grant Program Low Ongoing
19 Continue to communicate with Orange County Department of Public Health and follow the most recent guidance to address the COVID-19 pandemic and future pandemic planning.

Human Caused
Hazards
[Pandemic]
Internal: Community Development, Public Works, Public Safety, Utilities, Beaches, Parks & Recreation, Finance and Administration External: Orange County Department of Public Health Staff Time, General Fund Low Ongoing
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 20 Continue to participate in Southern California Edison community engagement related to decommissioning the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS). Distribute and promote relevant information and outreach materials to community members regarding safety and emergency preparedness during SONGS decommissioning.

Human-Caused
Hazards [Nuclear
Release]
Internal: Administration Department (Public Information Officer) External: Southern California Edison Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
21 Participate in Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton annual emergency preparedness exercises, where local jurisdictions are invited to participate in tabletop workshops including threats such as terrorism, security threats and other man-made disasters. Encourage OCSD and OCFA to participate in coordination with the City.

Human-Caused
Hazards
[Terrorism,
Cyberattacks,
Nuclear Release]
Internal: Public Works Department (Emergency Planning) External: Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, OCSD and OCFA Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
22 Monitor, maintain and protect the Beach Sewer Trunk Line and its facilities due to pipeline aging, coastal erosion, flooding, and maintenance restrictions.

Landslide and
Slope Failure
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works Department
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF
Medium Long-Term
23 Update the City’s Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment once every ten years, in accordance with California Coastal Commission requirements for Coastal Act compliance.

Multiple Hazards:

Coastal Erosion,
Flood
Internal: Community
Development Department (Coastal Administrator) External: California Coastal Commission FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF California Coastal Commission: Rolling LCP Planning Grant Program, Low Long-Term
24 Identify an alternative funding resource for the Shoreline Monitoring Program after California Coastal Commission funding expires in 2026.

Multiple Hazards:

Coastal Erosion,
Flood
Internal: Community
Development Department (Coastal Administrator) External: California Coastal Commission FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF California Coastal Commission: LCP Planning Grant Program Medium Medium-Term
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City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 25 Continue to work with the California Coastal Commission to prepare a certified Local Coastal Program (LCP), including updates to the Land Use Plan and adopting the implementation Plan.

Multiple Hazards:

Coastal Erosion,
Flood, Landslide
and Slope Failure
Internal: Community Development Department (Coastal Administrator) External: California Coastal Commission California Coastal Commission: LCP Planning Grant Rolling Grant Program High Ongoing
26 Procure a contactor to utilize LIDAR to survey coastal bluffs and canyons to establish a baseline and existing conditions assessment. Identify a funding resource to conduct LIDAR surveys on a regular basis to track coastal erosion, landslide, and slope movement on a regular basis such as every five years.

Multiple Hazards:

Coastal Erosion,
Landslide and
Slope Failure,
Expansive Soils
Internal: Community Development Department (Coastal Administrator), Public Works Department FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF California Coastal Commission: Rolling Grant Program, Round 9/10 Grants Medium Ongoing
27 Collaborate with OCTA and Metrolink to support mutually beneficial solutions to protect the LOSSAN coastal rail corridor and prevent further coastal erosion, landslides, and slope failure.

Multiple Hazards:

Coastal Erosion,
Landslide and
Slope Failure,
Human-Caused
Hazards [Train
Derailment]
Internal: Public Works DepartmentExternal: OCTA,
Metrolink, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Department of Defense: Defense Community Infrastructure Program (requires sponsorship from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton) FEMA: HMGP, BRIC Medium Ongoing
28 Implement water-wise and water efficient landscape irrigation emission devices, water monitoring flow control, or technology on City-owned properties or City maintained easements. Replace irrigation systems requiring significant amounts of water, where feasible. Seek grant funding resources for implementation.

Multiple Hazards:

Drought,
Landslide and
Slope Failure
Internal: Public Works Department, Utilities Department FEMA: HMGP, BRIC [Possibly] USBR:WaterSMART Program
Medium Ongoing
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline Conduct regular inspections, cleanouts, and repairs of storm drain inlets and conveyance lines to prevent localized flooding and/or reduce potential infiltration of stormwater into the sewer system, including the implementation of capital improvement projects as needed.

Multiple Hazards:

Flood, Severe
Weather [Heavy
Rains]
Internal: Public Works Department, Utilities DepartmentExternal: HOAs with privately owned storm inlets or collection systems.

General Fund [Possibly] FEMA:BRIC, HMGP, FMA
Medium Ongoing
29 Work with Orange County Public Works to ensure regular and state-mandated inspections at the M01 and M02. If inspections identify structural deficiencies, collaborate to identify solutions to ensure continual operations of both drainages. Prioritize cost sharing with the County and other state/federal resources, as both M01/M02 drainages convey upstream stormwater runoff originating in other parts of south Orange County.

Multiple Hazards:

Flood, Severe
Weather [Heavy
Rains]
Internal: Public Works Department, Utilities Department External: Orange County Public Works
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, FMA, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program CA Department of Water Resources:Coastal Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Program High Ongoing
30 Evaluate a regional, watershed approach to reduce irrigation and outdoor water use upstream of San Clemente. Communicate the detrimental effects San Clemente experiences from overwatering, including effects on the local water table as runoff moves toward the coast and the relationship to slope instability and failure.

Multiple Hazards:

Landslide and
Slope Failure,
Expansive Soils
Internal: Public Works Department, Utilities Department External: Neighboring Cities, Orange County Public Works, MWDOC/WEROC FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, FMA, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF CA Department of Water Resources:Coastal Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Program Medium Ongoing
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 31 Continue to address the localizes drainage challenges on Avenida Columbo, where the private property, and City drainage and sewer infrastructure is affected by flooding, land movement and slope failure.

Multiple Hazards:

Flood, Landslide
and Slope Failure,
Expansive Soils
Internal: Utilities Department, Public Works Department FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, FMA, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF CA Department of Water Resources:Coastal Watershed Flood Risk Reduction Program High Medium-Term
32 Once grant funding is procured, prepare an Urban Forest Management Plan to mitigate the urban heat island effect, manage the health and safety of the City’s tree inventory, promote use of native trees, and promote climate resilience. Utilize the San Clemente Rotary Club, San Clemente Garden Club, and/or Citizens Climate Education volunteers for plan implementation where feasible, particularly with tree plantings.

Multiple Hazards:

Severe Weather
[Extreme Heat],
Flood, Climate
Change
Internal: Public Works Department External: San Clemente Rotary Club, San Clemente Garden Club, Citizens Climate Education FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF OPR: Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program Medium Medium-Term
33 Conduct a seismic vulnerability study within downtown San Clemente, in partnership with the Downtown Business Association (DBA), to identify soft-story masonry or other infrastructure in need of a seismic retrofit.

Seismic Hazards
[Ground Shaking,
Liquefaction]
Internal: Community Development Department and Public Works Department External: Downtown Business Association (DBA) FEMA: BRIC, HMGP, Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF, National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Low Long-Term
34 Conduct a comprehensive assessment of all City owned assets for existing backup power and generator capacity at critical facilities. Prioritize generator procurement at City water and sewer assets, including pump and lift stations to ensure continual water and wastewater service during power outages.

Severe Weather
[Extreme Heat,
Heavy Rains,
Santa Ana Winds,
and Power
Outage]
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works Department External: San Diego Gas & Electric FEMA: HMGP OPR: Extreme Heat and
Community Resilience Program
Medium Medium
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 35 Educate citizens (particularly vulnerable populations) regarding the dangers of extreme heat and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme heat events do occur. Explore opportunities to further support vulnerable populations and underserved communities during extreme heat events, such as free/low-cost transportation to cooling centers or regular check-in services. Consider partnership with nonprofits or community organizations for implementation purposes.

Severe Weather
[Extreme Heat]
Internal: Public Works (Emergency Planning), Community Development DepartmentExternal: External: Age Well (contracted with the
City)
OPR: Extreme Heat and
Community Resilience Program
Medium Medium
36 Continue to maintain tsunami warning signs within hazard areas and promote publicly accessible tsunami safety resources such as: TsunamiZone.org, Ready.gov and Orange County Emergency Services websites.

Tsunami
Internal: Public Works
Department (Emergency Planning)
Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
37 To assist neighborhoods and HOAs with becoming a Firewise USA community, prepare a City-wide Community Wildfire Risk Assessment utilizing approved Firewise approaches and methodologies. Include action plan templates for neighborhoods to reduce ignition risks, such as community-level actions, educational activities, and suggested homeowner improvements. Promote the Community Wildfire Risk Assessment as a tool for use in applying to become a Firewise USA community.

Wildfire
Internal: Community
Development
Department, Public Works Department (Emergency Planning) External: HOAs, Firewise USA CalFIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program USDA/US Forest Service: Community Wildfire Defense Grant Medium Medium
38 Promote the OCFA “Ready, Set, Go!” Program to reduce the impacts of wildfire events by encouraging the public to maintain brush clearance, create a Wildfire Action Plan, assemble an Emergency Supply Kit, create a Family Communication Plan, and facilitate home inspections where required in the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.

Wildfire
Internal: Community
Development Department External: OCFA
Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 39 Continue to maintain mutual aid agreements between OCFA and Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services to ensure shared resources are available for firefighting purposes. Continue to encourage OCFA to partner with Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services on regional training activities to construct regional fire breaks in unincorporated Orange County (Talega Ridge, Ortega Highway) and on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton property.

Wildfire
Internal: Public Works
Department
External: OCFA, Camp Pendleton Fire and Emergency Services Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
40 Prioritize vegetation management programs on City owned property to reduce wildfire risk in areas flagged by OCFA. Utilize grant funding for invasive species removals and native landscape restoration on City. Investigate alternative fuel modification options in difficult to reach areas such as goat grazing.

Wildfire
Internal: Community
Development Department External: OCFA, CalFIRE
FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC); Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). USDA/US Forest Service: Community Wildfire Defense Grant.CalOES: California Wildfire Mitigation Program.CalFire: Wildfire Prevention Grants Program.

High Ongoing
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 41 Connect Homeowners Associations (HOAs) with California Sustainability Group, to access grant funding for vegetation management, invasive species removals and native landscape restoration on HOA owned or privately owned property.

Wildfire
Internal: Community Development Department, Administration Department External: California Sustainability Group, local HOAs Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
42 Protect utility network structures (reservoirs, lift stations, pump stations, etc.) from landslide, slope failure, sea level rise and other natural hazards.

Multiple Hazards:

Flood, Landslide
and Slope Failure,
Expansive Soils
Internal: Utilities Department, Public Works Department FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF
High Ongoing
43 Continue to conduct geotechnical studies for geologic hazards on new construction projects when appropriate, to evaluate vulnerabilities for land subsidence and expansive soils.

Geologic Hazards
– Expansive Soils,
Land Subsidence
Internal: Community Development Department
Staff Time, General Fund Low Ongoing
44 Continue following current Building and Safety requirements for constructing in liquefaction hazard zones. Site new critical facilities outside of liquefaction hazard zones where feasible.

Seismic Hazards
– Liquefaction
Internal: Community
Development Department
Staff Time, General Fund Medium Ongoing
45 Retrofit City Hall to establish a new Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in compliance with regulatory guidelines set forth by FEMA and OSHA. Identify funding resources to establish the EOC, including grant funding opportunities.

All Hazards
Internal: Community Development Department, Public Works Department (Emergency Planning) External: OCSD FEMA: EMPG, EOC Grant Program High Medium-Term
46 Develop and enhance new regional and local water resources to provide an abundance of water supply including direct/indirect potable reuse, increased well capacity, desalination technologies, and increased emergency storage to protect from drought conditions or infrastructure failure.

Multiple Hazards:

Drought,
Landslide, Slope
Failure
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works
Department
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow
RLF
High Long-Term
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# Mitigation Action Hazard(s) Assessed Responsible Department Funding Sources Priority Timeline 47 Improvements in critical water distribution infrastructure to relocate mains off of slopes and easements, and upgrade aging pipelines.

Multiple Hazards:

Drought,
Landslide, Slope
Failure
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works
Department
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow
RLF
High Long-Term
48 Monitor, maintain and improve storm drain facilities located on and adjacent to vulnerable slopes and easements.

Multiple Hazards:

Landslide, Slope
Failure
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works
Department
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow
RLF
High Long-Term
49 Evaluate critical water and wastewater facilities to ensure they are resilient to emergency conditions and retrofit as needed. Ensure that the City’s emergency water connections and agreements are sufficient to provide a short-term supply in emergency situations.

Multiple Hazards:

Drought,
Landslide, Slope
Failure
Internal: Utilities
Department, Public Works
Department
FEMA: BRIC, HMGP,
Safeguarding Tomorrow
RLF
High Medium-Term
50 Consider developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) to further reduce wildfire risk and enhance resilience.

Wildfire
Internal: Community
Development
Department; Public Works
Department
USDA: Community
Wildfire Defense Fund Medium Medium-Term
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
The capabilities assessment identifies existing local agencies, personnel, planning tools, public policy and programs, technology, and funding resources that can support the hazard mitigation measures in this Plan. This assessment helps determine the current ability of San Clemente to reduce damage from hazard events, providing a foundation to develop, consider, and prioritize future hazard mitigation measures.

The City of San Clemente has resources to support the implementation of mitigation actions including:
x Planning and regulatory capabilities are based on the implementation of ordinances, policies, local laws, and State statutes, and plans and programs that relate to guiding and managing growth and development.
x Administrative and technical capabilities refer to the staff and their skills and tools that can be used for mitigation planning and to implement specific mitigation actions. It also refers to the ability to access and coordinate these resources effectively. x Financial capabilities are the resources that a jurisdiction has access to or is eligible to use to fund mitigation actions.
x Education and outreach capabilities are programs and methods already in place that could be used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.

Refer to Table 5-4, City of San Clemente Capabilities Assessment below for a summary of City capabilities.

Table 5-4
City of San Clemente Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
Planning and Regulatory
Coastal Resiliency Plan Planning Division The Coastal Resiliency Plan outlines a range of actions, projects, and adaptation strategies for improving long term resiliency in the City. The Coastal Resiliency Plan was approved by the City Council on December 7, 2021, and submitted to the California Coastal Commission on December 8, 2021, as a final LCP
Planning Grant deliverable.

Nature-Based Coastal
Resiliency Project
Feasibility Study
Planning Division The Nature-Based Coastal Resiliency Project Feasibility Study identifies critical erosion hot spots in the City and opportunities to develop one or more nature-based pilot project(s) that provide multiple public benefits (e.g., sand retention and ecosystem benefits). This Study was conducted to identify coastal resiliency pilot projects and /or strategies that are environmentally sensitive, financially feasible and that can be approved through the regulatory permitting process.
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Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
Coastal Strategic Plan Planning Division The Coastal Strategic Plan describes ongoing and planned high priority coastal projects and programs to be implemented to protect and restore the City’s sandy beach and shoreline. The Plan is currently in draft form and will continue to be updated as a living document.

Erosion Hot Spots
Report
Planning Division The Erosion Hot Sports Report identifies which beaches in the greater San Clemente region are experiencing the worst erosion and which beaches appear to be more stable and was a point in time survey. The preliminary findings in this report have been used by the City to develop coastal resiliency solutions aimed at reducing erosion, stabilizing, and widening the beaches in the City using nature-based or “green” solutions as a priority.

Water Shortage
Contingency Plan
Public Works & Utilities
Departments
The City’s 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan was created in partnership with the Municipal Water District of Orange County and other local jurisdictions.

Urban Water
Management Plan
(UWMP)
Public Works & Utilities
Departments
The 2020 UWMP updates the City's 2015 water demand and
supply analysis in accordance with the current California Water Code. It also includes a standalone Water Shortage Contingency Plan (WSCP) and an Addendum to the 2015 UWMP to
demonstrate reduced reliance on Delta water supplies in accordance with Delta Policy WR P1.

Sea Level Rise
Vulnerability
Assessment (SLRVA)
Planning Division The SLRVA identifies facilities and critical public infrastructure along the coast that may be at risk in the future with rising sea levels. The SLRVA was submitted to the California Coastal Commission as a final LCP Planning Grant deliverable in 2019.

Climate Action Plan Public Works Department The CAP identifies City sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and contains goals and policies for the reduction of emissions over time. This document is also used to implement natural resources and environmental protection actions.

Jurisdictional Runoff
Management Plan
Public Works & Utilities
Departments
The San Clemente Jurisdictional Runoff Management Program (JRMP) details the City-wide programs and activities designed to prevent and reduce storm water pollution within City boundaries in compliance with its 2013 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit.

Tsunami Response Plan
Playbook
Orange County Sherriff’s
Department /Orange
County Fire Authority
The Tsunami Response Plan Playbook outlines critical information and necessary decision-making steps in the event of a tsunami affecting the planning area. The Playbook also includes a quickreference page for real time response activities.

Unified County of
Orange and Orange
County Operational Area
Tsunami Annex
Orange County Sherriff’s
Department /Orange
County Fire Authority
The Unified County of Orange and Orange County Operational Area Tsunami Annex outlines estimated tsunami risk to the Orange County Operational Area. This Annex was utilized as a reference document in the formation of this updated LHMP.

County of Orange and
Orange County Fire
Authority Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Orange County Sherriff’s
Department /Orange
County Fire Authority
The County of Orange and Orange County Fire Authority Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies Orange County's natural hazards and presents a variety of actions and projects, proposed or in progress, which can help mitigate the risks these hazards pose. This Plan was utilized as a reference document in the formation of this updated LHMP.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
Floodplain Management
Ordinance
Community Development
Building and Safety
Department
The ordinance establishes additional standards for development activities in the floodplain, enforced by the Building and Safety Division staff. This ordinance can be amended to implement additional flood mitigation strategies from this Plan.

Building Code Community Development
Department
The building code specifies how all new construction in the City shall be built. These requirements can be amended to require new construction to be more resilient to emergency situations.

Mitigation actions to construct buildings to safer standards to enhance resilience during hazard events could be considered as part of future building code updates.

Fire Code Community Development
Department
The fire code contains specific fire safety requirements for all structures. These requirements can be modified to require increased fire safety measures and support hazard mitigation actions identified in this Plan.

City Budget Finance & Administrative
Services Department
The San Clemente City Council adopts a budget every fiscal year, which identifies sources of revenue for the City and how this money will be spent. The budget can direct funding toward hazard mitigation activities, including increased staffing, planning efforts, and capital improvements.

Development Code Community Development
Department
The code contains land use regulations, including requirements for all new construction. The code can be used to implement hazard mitigation measures related to land use and development.

Water Conservation
Ordinance
Community Development
Department
San Clemente’s Water Conservation ordinance establishes mandatory and permanent water conservation activities for all San Clemente residents and businesses, as well as additional mandatory standards for various stages of water shortage events.

These standards help mitigate the impact of drought-related emergency events. The tools and strategies of the Water Conservation ordinance can be used to develop this Plan’s drought mitigation actions.

Administrative and Technical
Police Services Orange County Sherriff’s
Department
Staff provides police protection services and community programs and education campaigns. Police Staff are a key component of implementing mitigation actions, including but not limited to, coordinating, and communicating with the public and other agencies, ensuring safe and efficient evacuations, if necessary, and providing or participating in public education and
preparedness activities that support mitigation of risks.

Fire Services Orange County Fire
Authority
The Orange County Fire Authority provides fire services to San Clemente. The Fire Authority is a key component of implementing mitigation actions. Staff is responsible for conducting safety training and preparedness activities, responding to emergency situations, and supporting emergency recovery. Staff also responds to hazardous material emergencies and conducts activities to reduce the risk of hazardous material-related events. 583
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
Code Compliance
Division Staff
Community Development
Department
Staff maintains and improves the health, safety, and general welfare of the City by implementing the goals and policies of the General Plan and enforcing the Zoning Code related to land use and development. Mitigation actions related to ensuring development requirements, along with plans and programs, are updated to reflect most current hazard information.

Building and Safety
Division staff
Community Development
Department
Staff responsible for regulating the construction, alteration, use and occupancy of buildings. Staff reviews all proposals for new development in San Clemente to ensure it meets all applicable laws and ordinances and complies with all hazard-related requirements. Mitigation actions related to ensuring development requirements, along with plans and programs, are updated to reflect most current hazard information.

Planning Commission Community Development
Department
The San Clemente Planning Commission meets once per month to advise the City Council on land use policies and laws, and to make final decisions on certain kinds of development and use permits. The body can approve and guide development of new projects, as well as new policies related to land use issues, ensuring that developments are in accordance with mitigation actions.

City Council City Council The San Clemente City Council comprises a Mayor, Mayor Pro Tempore, and three City Council members supported by the City Manager, City Treasurer, and support staff. The City Council meets twice a month and serves as the primary legislative body for the community. The City Council can establish and revise laws, approve plans and policy directions, and allocate funding. City Council will be responsible for adopting this Plan and
implementing mitigation actions.

City Manager City Manager Department The City Manager allocates and manages City resources to carry out City policy and operations as directed by the City Council, including allocating and managing staff and funding to support implementation of hazard mitigation activities. The Coastal Administrator works under the direction of the City Manager.

Finance Division staff Finance & Administrative
Services Department
The purpose of the Finance & Administrative Services Department is to provide staff support to internal departments, assure legal and financial accountability to the public, provide risk management services, and to provide customer service to both internal and external clientele. Although the Finance & Administrative Services Department does not implement mitigation actions, the
department plays an important role to facilitate implementation by working with the various departments to ensure mitigation actions are incorporated into the City budget and to administer grant support.

Public Works
Department Staff
Public Works & Utilities
Department Staff
The Public Works and Utilities departments are responsible for building and maintaining San Clemente’s publicly owned
infrastructure, including the City’s water service. The Public Works Department is a key lead for mitigation actions. Staff can construct and retrofit infrastructure to reduce hazard risks in the community, or to be more resilient to hazard events.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
Community
Development
Department Staff
Community Development
Department
The Community Development Department has 28 "Full Time
Equivalents" (FTE's) which includes both full time and part time employees.

Parks and Recreation
Department staff
Beaches, Parks, and
Recreation Department
The Beaches, Parks and Recreation Department consists of Administration, Recreation, and Golf division. The Department oversees the use of 324 acres of recreational space including 23 parks, 25.9 miles of hiking trails and 2 miles of public beaches, as well as a 133-acre golf course.

Human Resources
Division Staff
Human Resources Division The Human Resources Division consists of the Human Resources Manager, Human Resources Analyst I – Risk Management,
Human Resources Analyst I – Benefits & Recruitments, and a Human Resources Specialist.

Administrative Services
Department
Finance & Administrative
Services Department
The Finance & Administrative Services Department directs the City's finance and administrative functions including Finance, Information Services, Human Resources, Risk Management, Financial Planning and City Treasurer. The department is responsible for the City's annual budget process, Long Term Financial Plan, labor negotiations, risk management, investment management and information technology.

City Attorney City Attorney The City Attorney represents the municipality and handles civil cases, advising the City on legal matters and representing it in court.

CR&R, Inc. Staff CR&R, Inc. The City contracts with CR&R to provide collection and disposal services for solid waste in the community. The responsibilities of CR&R staff include providing services for the safe disposal of some types of hazardous material. Staff can coordinate their efforts with the relevant mitigation actions outlined in this Plan.

Southern California
Edison Staff
Southern California Edison Southern California Edison is responsible for providing safe and reliable electricity to San Clemente community members.

Mitigation actions specific to the provision of these services will be implemented in coordination with the service provider. Staff responsibilities include restoring electrical service if it has been interrupted by an emergency situation and repairing and maintaining electrical infrastructure to reduce the risk of hazard events.

San Diego Gas & Electric
Staff
San Diego Gas & Electric San Diego Gas & Electric provides natural gas service in San Clemente. Mitigation actions specific to the provision of this service will be implemented in coordination with SDG&E. Staff is responsible for maintaining the natural gas infrastructure in safe conditions to minimize the risk of leaks, fires, or explosions. This includes repairing natural gas infrastructure following emergency situations.

Financial
General Fund N/A Serves as the main operating fund for the City and is used to finance the most common municipal functions (e.g., police, fire, parks, and recreation, etc.).
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
Capital Improvement
Program
N/A Long-range plan for individual capital improvement projects and funding sources. Projects are considered unique construction projects that provide improvements or additions such as land, buildings, and infrastructure. The Capital Improvement Program budget is an important part of the City’s budget. The FY 2024/2025 to FY 2025/2026 budget presents over 55 capital improvement projects with expenditures totaling over $27 million. These projects provide funding for needed repairs, replacements, and
improvements to streets, water infrastructure, drainage and sewage systems, parks and medians, public facilities, and other improvements.

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

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

Department of Housing
and Urban Development
– Community
Development Block
Grants
N/A The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Entitlement Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383, as amended; 42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.

HUD awards grants to entitlement community grantees to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services, which may be applicable to future City projects.

Education and Outreach
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible Agency
or Department
Description/Comments
American Red Cross Coordination with Orange
County Sherriff’s
Department /Orange
County Fire Authority
Provide access to natural hazard information and resources, as well as educational and training programs. Promoting participation in American Red Cross educational and training programs would serve to mitigate hazards by increasing awareness and
preparedness.

Staff Training Coordination with the
Orange County Sherriff’s
Department /Orange
County Fire Authority and
other City Departments as
relevant
The City provides staff training on emergency response and preparedness. Mitigation actions may include updating or enhancing staff training on emergency response and
preparedness.

City Website Finance & Administrative
Services Department
The website provides news and announcements to the
community, including community events related to safety and emergency preparedness and mitigation. It maintains information and resources pertaining to hazards and mitigation. The City Website provides an opportunity to convey information and implement mitigation actions specific to educating and informing the community regarding all hazards and ways to reduce impacts from the hazards.

How can these capabilities be expanded upon and improved to reduce risk? Multiple mitigation measures are priority projects to expand San Clemente’s capabilities, including new plans and programs.

Examples of opportunities to expand capabilities include the following mitigation actions:

Planning/Regulatory: Mitigation Action #2 [Prepare an Emergency Operations Plan Update], Mitigation Action #3 [Conduct a City-wide American Disabilities Act (ADA) inventory to assess compliance], Mitigation Action #23 [Update the City’s Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment once every ten years].

Administrative/Technical: Mitigation Action #26 [Procure a contactor to utilize LIDAR to survey coastal bluffs and canyons to establish a baseline and existing conditions assessment], Mitigation Action #30 [Evaluate a regional, watershed approach to reduce irrigation and outdoor water use upstream of San Clemente], Mitigation Action #36 [Continue to maintain tsunami warning signs within hazard areas].

Financial: Mitigation Action #13 [Continue to develop additional revenue sources as well as identify grants and regional/state/federal partners to fund sand nourishment and replenishment and retention projects and programs], Mitigation Action #15 [Update the City’s Climate Action Plan and identify a relevant funding source including grant opportunities], Mitigation Action #24 [Identify an alternative funding resource for the Shoreline Monitoring Program].

Education/Outreach: Mitigation Action #7 [ Support and promote emergency preparedness programming at the San Clemente Senior Center], Mitigation Action #8 [Promote emergency warning systems from the Orange County Sheriff Department, AlertOC and the City of San Clemente. Encourage residents to sign-up to receive alerts through their preferred notification approach], Mitigation Action #12 [Continue to engage the public, with focus on any underserved communities or vulnerable populations, regarding natural hazard risk, vulnerability, and on-going mitigation actions]. 587
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Section 6, Plan Maintenance Page 6-1
This section identifies the formal process by which that City can ensure the LHMP remains an active and relevant document for the City of San Clemente. The LHMP maintenance process includes a schedule for monitoring and evaluating the LHMP annually and producing an update every five years to ensure the City maintains eligibility for federal and State hazard mitigation funding. This section of the LHMP also describes how the City can integrate public participation throughout LHMP maintenance and implementation process. Finally, this section describes how City staff can incorporate the mitigation actions outlined in this LHMP into existing planning mechanisms and programs and future actions and decision-making.

Under the direction of the LHMP Project Management Team (comprised of City of San Clemente Community Development staff), the LHMP Planning Team will be responsible for the on-going maintenance of this LHMP. The Project Management Team will take the lead in LHMP maintenance by coordinating with the Planning Team, including undertaking the formal review process and future updates. Key City departments are identified below:
x City Manager Department
x Community Development Department
x Public Works & Utilities Departments
x Finance & Administrative Services Department
x Beaches, Parks, and Recreation Department
x Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
x Orange County Sherriff’s Department (OCSD)
In addition to City staff and representatives from OCFA and OCSD, the following partner agencies who were part of the LHMP Planning Team should be included in the maintenance and update activities:
x City of Dana Point
x City of San Juan Capistrano
x Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
x California State Parks
x Orange County Toll Roads
x Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
x South Coast Water District
x Santa Margarita Water District
x San Diego Gas & Electric
x Southern California Edison
Although specific LHMP Planning Team and Project Management members may change, the City staff positions, departments and other partner agencies and organizations should continue to be included in the LHMP implementation and maintenance process.

The LHMP Project Management Team will facilitate the LHMP Planning Team meetings and will assign tasks such as updating and presenting the Plan to other departments, stakeholder groups, and/or elected officials. The LHMP Planning Team will be responsible for maintaining and 588
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updating the LHMP and will coordinate implementation through their respective positions and agencies. LHMP implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all LHMP Planning Team members.

At a minimum, the ongoing annual LHMP Planning Team meeting will evaluate the progress of the LHMP and incorporate the actions into other planning documents. This review will include the following:
x Summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their impacts on the community.
x Review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in the Plan. x Brief discussion about why targeted mitigation strategies were not completed. x Reevaluation of the mitigation actions to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs to be amended (such as changing a long-term project to a short-term project due to funding availability).
x Recommendations for new mitigation actions.
x Changes in, or potential for, new funding options/grant opportunities. x Integration of new GIS data and maps that can be used to inform the Plan. x Evaluation of any other planning programs or initiatives within the City that involve hazard mitigation.

The purpose of the annual evaluation will be to ensure consideration and implementation of the LHMP and document progress to inform the future LHMP update.

Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 201.6(d)(3), requires that local hazard mitigation plans be reviewed, revised, and resubmitted to FEMA for approval to remain eligible for the benefits awarded under the DMA.

Monitoring the progress of the mitigation actions will be on-going throughout the five-year period between the adoption of the LHMP and the next update effort. The LHMP Planning Team will meet on an annual basis to monitor the status mitigation action implementation and develop updates, as necessary.

The City intends to update the Plan on a five-year cycle from the date of its adoption. It is anticipated that this update process will occur one year prior to expiration of the existing LHMP.

This cycle may be accelerated to less than five years based on the following triggers:
x A state or presidential disaster declaration that impacts the City. x A hazard event that causes loss of life.

Should a significant disaster occur within the City, the LHMP Planning Team will reconvene to review and update the LHMP, as appropriate. The City Council will adopt written updates to the LHMP.
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Section 6, Plan Maintenance Page 6-3
The intent of the update process will be to add new planning process methods, community profile data, hazard data and events, vulnerability analyses, mitigation actions, and goals to the adopted Plan so that the LHMP will always be current and up to date. Based on the needs identified by the LHMP Planning Team, the update will, at a minimum, include the elements below:

1. The update process will be convened through the LHMP Planning Team and will include representatives from the Community Development Department and other participating departments to ensure consistency with other relevant City planning documents.

2. The hazard risk assessment will be reviewed and updated using best available information and technologies on an annual basis.

3. The evaluation of critical structures and mapping will be updated and improved as funding becomes available.

4. The mitigation actions will be reviewed and revised to account for any actions completed, deferred, or changed to account for changes in the risk assessment or new City policies identified under other planning mechanisms, as appropriate (such as the City’s General Plan).

5. The draft update will be sent to appropriate agencies for comment.

6. The public will be given an opportunity to comment prior to adoption.

7. The San Clemente City Council will adopt the updated LHMP.

The LHMP Planning Team will coordinate with responsible City departments and agencies/organizations identified for each mitigation action. These responsible departments and agencies/organizations will monitor and evaluate the progress made on the implementation of mitigation actions and report to the LHMP Planning Team on an annual basis. Working with the LHMP Planning Team, these responsible departments and agencies/organizations will be asked to assess the effectiveness of the mitigation actions and modify the mitigation actions as appropriate. The LHMP Mitigation Action Progress Report worksheet will assist mitigation leads in reporting on the status and assessing the effectiveness of the mitigation actions.

Information gathered from the City departments and external partners will be used to monitor mitigation actions and annual evaluation of the LHMP. The following questions will be considered as criteria for evaluating the Plan’s effectiveness:
x Has the nature or magnitude of hazards affecting the City changed? x Are there new hazards that have the potential to impact the City? x Do the identified goals and actions address current and expected conditions? x Have mitigation actions been implemented or completed? x Has the implementation of identified mitigation actions resulted in expected outcomes? x Are current resources adequate to implement the LHMP? x Should additional local resources be committed to address identified hazards? An Annual LHMP Review Questionnaire worksheet will be used to provide guidance to the LHMP Planning Team on what should be included in the evaluation. Future updates to the LHMP will account for any new hazard vulnerabilities, special circumstances, or new information that becomes available. Issues that arise during monitoring and evaluating the LHMP, which require changes to the risk assessment, mitigation strategy and other components of the Plan, will be incorporated into the next update of the LHMP in 2029. The questions identified above will remain valid when preparing the 2029 Plan update.
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Section 6, Plan Maintenance Page 6-4
Cal OES and FEMA are responsible for initial review and approval of the LHMP. After the plan check review process concludes, the San Clemente City Council is responsible for adopting the LHMP. This formal adoption should take place every five years. Once the LHMP has been finalized, the City Project Management Team will be responsible for final submission to the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES). Cal OES will then submit the Plan to FEMA for final review and approval.

LHMP effectiveness depends on the implementation of the mitigation actions, and incorporating these actions into other City plans, policies, and programs. These mitigation actions provide the framework for activities that the City can implement over the next five years. The City has prioritized the actions in this LHMP, which will be implemented through existing plans, policies, and programs as resources become available.

The City of San Clemente Community Development Department has taken on the responsibility for overseeing the Plan’s implementation and maintenance through the City’s existing programs.

The Community Development Director, or designated appointee, will assume lead responsibility for facilitating LHMP implementation and maintenance meetings. Although the City of San Clemente Community Development Department will have primary responsibility for review, coordination, and promotion, plan implementation and evaluation will be a shared responsibility among all departments identified as lead departments in the mitigation action plan.

The LHMP can also build upon related planning efforts and mitigation programs that are already occurring within the City. This will also facilitate applying for funding opportunities as they become available. Progress on implementing mitigation actions through other City planning programs and mechanisms should be monitored and integrated into future updates.

By adopting a resolution to approve this LHMP, the City agrees to reference and incorporate the document into planning documents, programs, decisions, processes, and regulations. The LHMP will be reviewed and considered by internal City departments, as applicable plans or programs are created or updated in the future. Upon creating or updating new plans, programs or policies, City staff will review this LHMP and consider the following:
x What hazard and/or vulnerability information should be considered and/or integrated into this plan?
x Are there opportunities for this plan to support and/or implement mitigation actions? x What mitigation actions can and should be integrated into this plan? x Are there other community mechanisms that mitigation can be integrated? x Is there information from this plan that can be integrated into the next LHMP update? Opportunities for the City to integrate information from this LHMP into planning mechanisms are described below.

Planning and zoning law require California cities to adopt a comprehensive, long-term general plan for the physical development of the City. General plans are required to address natural hazards that could impact the jurisdiction and prepare for the impact of natural hazards. The City’s General Plan identifies land use patterns, future development, and growth within the planning 591
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area. The LHMP update process has allowed the City to review the policies contained in the General Plan Safety Element and identified mitigation actions that will further implement these policies. The City views the General Plan and LHMP as complimentary planning documents that work together to achieve the goal of the reduction of risk exposure to the citizens of the City. Once the LHMP is adopted by FEMA, the City will update the Safety Element to incorporate the LHMP and vulnerability assessment by reference to comply with California Assembly Bill 2140.

In addition, the City is currently in the process of preparing a Local Coastal Program in accordance with the California Coastal Act. Findings from the approved Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Land Use Plan were integrated into the LHMP update. As the City works toward preparing the Implementation Plan, the LHMP can serve as a reference and guide for relevant hazard information and mapping. Ongoing coordination with the California Coastal Commission may yield additional projects and actions from the City that could serve as new mitigation actions for the next LHMP update process. Additionally, the California Coastal Commission grant funding mechanisms can support mitigation actions identified in this LHMP.

After the LHMP update process is complete, the City anticipates preparing a comprehensive update to the City Emergency Operations Plan to modernize and streamline the document. The City would incorporate the LHMP by reference in the EOP update and carry over relevant hazard mapping.

The City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) identifies capital projects and major equipment purchases for all City departments. The CIP links both the annual general plan and annual budget.

Identified CIP projects were integrated into the LHMP mitigation actions where appropriate, for projects with a nexus to resilience or natural hazards. In addition, as part of the annual review and update of the CIP, mitigation actions identified will be reviewed and integrated. The City anticipates utilizing this LHMP to apply for Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant funding such as Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, for key capital improvement and infrastructure projects related to landslide, coastal erosion, and wildfire.

Other opportunities for integration of this LHMP include education programs and continued coordination between the City and the identified external partners such as Age Well (contractor for senior services), American Red Cross, Rotary Club and Hoag Health. Expansion of community capacity and education programs is discussed in Table 5.3 in the previous section.

Due to the time passed between the 2004 LHMP and this LHMP update process, the LHMP Planning Team was not aware of each specific past integration effort to report in this section.

Significant staff changes and turn-over have occurred in the twenty years between the previous LHMP and the LHMP update, thus integration details during the five-year active period of the plan are unknown. However, the findings of the 2004 LHMP were used to inform the City of San Clemente 2020 Urban Water Management Plan; the LHMP provided the basis for the seismic risk analysis of the water systems facilities.

Despite lack of formal information about the 2004 LHMP integration efforts, the City of San Clemente has demonstrated a commitment to hazard mitigation and resilience through a variety of projects, policies, and programs. The City has prepared targeted plans related to specific hazards, such as the 2019 Jurisdictional Runoff Management Plan, 2021 Coastal Resiliency Plan, 2023 Coastal Erosion Hot Spots Report, and 2023 Nature Based Coastal Resiliency Project 592
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Feasibility Study. The City has made significant strides in preparing the Local Coastal Program, including an adopted Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment and Land Use Plan. Thus, this LHMP update documents years of work toward resilience in alignment with hazard mitigation planning principles. The City anticipates integrating this LHMP into the studies and planning mechanisms listed above and applying for FEMA grant funding to implement key mitigation actions.

The City is dedicated to involving the public in LHMP review and updates throughout the five-year planning period. The public, including socially vulnerable populations, will continue to be informed of the LHMP actions through regular updates to the City’s website. The City will continue provide in-person educational events and activities to further inform the community regarding natural hazard risk and mitigation. Where feasible, these educational opportunities will be co-located with other safety related community events such as National Night Out.

Additionally, continued public involvement will be achieved through the promotion of hazard mitigation/emergency preparedness, trainings, interagency-coordinated outreach efforts and other hazard awareness campaigns. These are included in Section 5.0 as Mitigation Actions [Pending feedback from LHMP Stakeholder Committee]. The listed mitigation actions include outreach and communication mechanisms designed with the “whole community” approach, ensuring that socially vulnerable populations will receive messaging. The City will also inform LHMP Planning Team participants of relevant updates at the annual LHMP evaluation meeting.

The adopted LHMP will remain permanently available for review on the City’s website, with contact information for interested parties to direct comments and concerns. All public feedback will be reviewed and considered for incorporation (if deemed appropriate) into the next LHMP update.

Upon initiation of the LHMP update process, a new public involvement strategy will be developed based on guidance from the LHMP Planning Team. This strategy will be based on the needs and capabilities of the City at the time of the update. At a minimum, this strategy will include the use of the City website, email distribution lists and local media outlets within the planning area. At this time, a re-evaluation of local socially vulnerable populations will be conducted for improved understanding of how to reach and engage these groups.

Adam Atamian, Community Development Director
City of San Clemente
910 Calle Negocio
San Clemente, CA 92673
[email protected]
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The following references were utilized during preparation of this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

ABC 7, 24 condos red-tagged due to landslide threatening historic Casa Romantica in San Clemente, https://abc7.com/san-clemente-casa-romantica-landslide-orangecounty/13193872/, published April 24, 2023, accessed June 26, 2024.

ABC 7, After San Clemente landslide, crews watching carefully as rain approaches, https://abc7.com/san-clemente-landslide-mariposa-point-flooding-rain/5707963/, published November 19, 2019, accessed June 26, 2024.

ABC 7, Brush fire scorches 53 acres in San Clemente, https://abc7.com/san-clemente-brushfire-southern-california-orange-county-fires/2185967/, published July 5, 2017, accessed October 10, 2024.

ACHP, San Clemente, California, https://www.achp.gov/preserve-america/community/sanclementecalifornia#:~:text=San%20Clemente%2C%20California%2C%20(population,original%20 %E2%80%9COle%20Hanson%E2%80%9D%20structures., accessed September 30, 2024.

American Red Cross, Why We Focus On Vulnerable Communities, https://www.redcross.org/local/california/preparesocal/communities-of-focus.html, accessed September 18, 2024.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Rail Service Set to Resume Monday, March 25, Through San Clemente, https://news.pacificsurfliner.com/2024-03-19-Rail-Service-Set-to-ResumeMonday,-March-25-Through-San-Clemente, published March 19, 2024, accessed September 16, 2024.

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Weekend Pacific Sufliner Service to Resume on Feb 4., https://news.pacificsurfliner.com/2023-01-23-Weekend-Pacific-Surfliner-Service-toResume-on-Feb-4, published January 23, 2023, accessed September 16, 2024.

AP, California landslide halts rail service, homes evacuated, https://apnews.com/article/sanclemente-landslide-california-casa-romantica-35e88e55f6376b23d009ad93d4c70871, published April 28, 2024, accessed June 26, 2024.

Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Dam Failures and Incidents, https://damsafety.org/dam-failures, accessed July 5, 2024.

California Air Resources Board, Air Monitoring Sites, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/applications/airmonitoring-sites-interactive-map, updated 2024, accessed June 26, 2024.

California Climate Adaptation Strategy, Summary of Projected Climate Change Impacts on California,
https://climateresilience.ca.gov/overview/impacts.html#:~:text=California%20is%20alrea 594
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dy%20experiencing%20the,have%20increased%20as%20temperatures%20warm, accessed June 28, 2024.

California Department of Conservation, 2023 California Landslide Response, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/landslides/2023, accessed August 14, 2024.

California Department of Conservation, The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/earthquakes/long-beach, accessed July 12, 2024 California Department of Public Health, Isolation Q&A,
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Section 7, References Page 7-13
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Section 7, References Page 7-14
near%20rivers%20and%20valleys, updated September 19, 2024, accessed September 19, 2024.

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U.S. EPA, Challenges in Predicting Smoke Concentrations, https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smokecourse/challenges-predicting-smoke-concentrations, updated February 2, 2024, accessed June 19, 2024.

U.S. EPA, Climate Change Impacts on Coasts, https://www.epa.gov/climateimpacts/climatechange-impacts-coasts, updated on November 16, 2023, accessed June 28, 2024.

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U.S. EPA, Health and Ecological Hazards Caused by Hazardous Substances, https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/health-and-ecological-hazards-causedhazardous-substances, accessed July 9, 2024.

U.S. EPA, Health Effects Attributed to Wildfire Smoke, https://www.epa.gov/wildfire-smokecourse/challenges-predicting-smoke-concentrations, updated February 2, 2024, accessed June 28, 2024.

U.S. EPA, Reduce Urban Heat Island Effect, https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/reduceurban-heat-islandeffect#:~:text=%22Urban%20heat%20islands%22%20occur%20when,heat%2Drelated %20illness%20and%20mortality, accessed July 3, 2024.

U.S. Federal Code Title 18, Chapter 113B, Section 2331.

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UC San Diego, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, Researchers Identify Factor Behind 2017 Oroville Dam Spillways Incident, https ://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/researchers-identify607 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
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factor-behind-2017-oroville-dam-spillways-incident, published July 22, 2020, accessed April 11, 2023.

UCLA Newsroom, Study forecasts a severe climate future for California, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/california-extreme-climate-future-ucla-study, accessed July 12, 2023.

United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics, 2022, https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2022.DP03, updated 2023, accessed May 8, 2024.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Map, https://websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/WebSoilSurvey.aspx, accessed August 19, 2024.

United States Drought Monitor, Drought Classification,
https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/About/AbouttheData/DroughtClassification.aspx, accessed July 2, 2024.

United States Natural Resources Conservation Service, Soil Survey of Orange County and Western Part of Riverside County, California, Department of Agriculture, Soil Survey of Orange County and Western Part of Riverside County, California, https://archive.org/details/usda-general-soil-map-soil-survey-of-orange-county-andwestern-part-of-riverside-county-ca/page/n157/mode/2up, accessed August 15, 2024 United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, SONGS Steam Generator Tube Degradation, https://www.nrc.gov/reactors/operating/ops-experience/tube-degradation.html, updated March 11, 2020, accessed October 8, 2024.

University of Arizona, Climate Change Suppresses Santa Ana Winds of Southern California and Sharpens Their Seasonality, https://swcasc.arizona.edu/publication/climate-changesuppresses-santa-ana-winds-southern-california-and-sharpenstheir#:~:text=Climate%20Change%20Suppresses%20Santa%20Ana%20Winds%20of% 20Southern%20California%20and%20Sharpens%20Their%20Seasonality,- Reference&text=We%20downscale%20Santa%20Ana%20winds,climatology%20over% 20the%20historical%20period., accessed July 9, 2024.

University of California Los Angeles Newsroom, Study forecasts a severe climate future for California, https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/california-extreme-climate-future-uclastudy, accessed August 15, 2024.

University of California, San Clemente – Monthly Totals, https://ceorange.ucanr.edu/about/weather/?weather=station&station=241, accessed July 9, 2024.

University of Michigan, Which Populations are Most Vulnerable to the Coronavirus Pandemic? https://sph.umich.edu/news/2020posts/which-populations-are-most-vulnerable-tocoronavirus.html, published April 6, 2020, accessed July 9, 2024. 608
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US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP04 Selected Housing Characteristics.

US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP05 Demographic and Housing Estimates.

US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, S0101 Age and Sex US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, S1501 Educational Attainment.

US Census Bureau, 2022: American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, S2503 Financial Characteristics
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles, Table S1101, Household and Families, 2022,
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US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Date Profiles, Table S2501, Occupancy Characteristics, 2022,
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USGS, Earthquake Glossary – Ground Motion, https://www.usgs.gov/scientificcollections/glossary-terms, accessed July 12, 2024.

USGS, Earthquake Magnitude, Energy Release, and Shaking Intensity, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/science/earthquakemagnitude-energy-release-and-shaking-intensity?qt-science_center_objects=0#qtscience_center_objects, accessed July 26, 2021.

USGS, Factors that can affect coastal cliff erosion, U.S. Geological Survey (usgs.gov), accessed July 11, 2024.

USGS, Landscapes from the Waves – Marine Terraces of California, https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2018/3002/fs20183002.pdf, accessed September 30, 2024.

USGS, The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale, https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquakehazards/science/modified-mercalli-intensity-scale?qt-science_center_objects=0#qtscience_center_objects, accessed July 12, 2024.

USGS, The Severity of an Earthquake, https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq4/severitygip.html, accessed July 12, 2024.
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USGS, Tsunamis and Tsunami Hazards, https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/water-scienceschool/science/tsunamis-and-tsunami-hazards, accessed July 2, 2024.

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Weather Spark, Climate and Average Weather Year Round in San Clemente, https://weatherspark.com/y/1895/Average-Weather-in-San-Clemente-California-UnitedStates-Year-Round, accessed July 9, 2024.

Wildfire Today, Chief Ron Coleman looks back 35 years at 2,400-acre fire, https://wildfiretoday.com/2011/01/21/chief-ron-coleman-looks-35-years-back-at-2400- acre-fire/, published January 21, 2011, accessed June 26, 2024.

Wong-Parodi, Gabrielle, Support for public safety power shutoffs in California: Wildfire-related perceived exposure and negative outcomes, prior and current health, risk appraisal and worry,
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World Health Organization, Vector-Borne Diseases, https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases, accessed July 9, 2024.

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1 Tamayo, Audrey
Subject: EXTERNAL: FW: LHMP Kick-off Meeting
Location: Room City Hall Community Rm - 1st Floor
Start: Wed 7/3/2024 11:30 AM
End: Wed 7/3/2024 12:30 PM
Recurrence: (none)
Meeting Status: Accepted
Organizer: Atamian, Adam

EXTERNAL EMAIL
ͲͲͲͲͲOriginal AppointmentͲͲͲͲͲ
From: Atamian, Adam
Sent: Tuesday, June 25, 2024 11:02 AM
To: Atamian, Adam; Rebensdorf, David; Hall, Andy; Brower, Brian; Perez, Rachel; Meyerhoff, Leslea; Scott, Meredith Cc: Flores, Andy
Subject: LHMP KickͲoff Meeting
When: Wednesday, July 3, 2024 11:30 AMͲ12:30 PM (UTCͲ08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada).

Where: Room City Hall Community RmͲ1st Floor
Please see attached Agenda.

Sincerely,
Adam Atamian
Community Development Director
p: (949) 361Ͳ6196
3 Please consider the environment before printing this eͲmail 616
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x Community Engagement Strategy
o Survey and Web Content Development
o In-Person Outreach, Pop Up Workshop Opportunities
o Branding and Messaging
Climate Change, Sea Level Rise considerations
x Critical Facilities List & Organization
o Refer to Attachment B, Draft Critical Facilities List x Proposed Hazards for Consideration
o Climate Change (in all hazard profiles)
o Coastal Erosion
o Dam/Reservoir Failure (Palisades Reservoir)
o Drought
o Flood (Riverine, Coastal, Localized)
o Human-caused hazards (hazardous materials/nuclear release, terrorism/cyberattacks, civil disturbance/civil unrest, pandemic) o Landslide and Slope Failure
o Severe Weather (extreme heat, heavy rains, Santa Ana winds, public safety power shutoff)
o Seismic Hazards (fault rupture, ground shaking, liquefaction) o Tsunami
o Wildfire
x Work Schedule
o Refer to Attachment C, Draft Schedule

4. Additional Discussion/Questions

5. Next Steps & Action Items
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Name Address Type Community Lifeline
Animal Shelter 535 Avenida Fabricante Government Service Safety and SecurityBaron Von Willard Dog Park 301 Avenida La Pata Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityBernice Ayer Middle School 1271 Calle Armentoso Public School Safety and SecurityBonito Canyon Park 1304 Calle Valle Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityBoys and Girls Club 1304 Calle Valle Nonprofit/NGO Safety and SecurityCanyon View Park 18 Via Artemesia Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityCasa Romantica 415 Avenida Granada Government Service Safety and SecurityCity Library and Parking Lot 242 Avenida Del Mar Government Service Safety and SecurityClarence Lobo Elementary School 200 Avenida Vista Montana Public School Safety and SecurityCommunity Center 100 N Calle Seville Government Service Safety and SecurityConcordia Elementary School 3120 Avenida Del Presidente Public School Safety and SecurityFire Station 50 670 Camino De Los Mares Fire Service Safety and SecurityFire Station 59 59 Avenida La Pata Fire Service Safety and SecurityFire Station 60 121 Ave Victoria Fire Service Safety and SecurityForster Ranch Community Park 3207 Camino Vera Cruz Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityJim Johnson Memorial Sports Park 450 West Avenida Vista Hermosa Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityLas Palmas Elementary School 1101 Calle Puente Public School Safety and SecurityLeslie Park 1800 Calle Los Alamos Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityLiberty Park 390 Calle Saluda Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityLifeguard Tower 14 (North Beach) Marine Safety Safety and SecurityLifeguard Tower 14 (South Side of the Pier) Marine Safety Safety and SecurityLifeguard Tower 5 (T-Street) Marine Safety Safety and SecurityLifeguard Tower 6 (Linda Lane) Marine Safety Safety and SecurityLinda Lane Park 400 Linda Lane Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityMaintenance Building 401 Calle De Los Molinos Government Service Safety and SecurityMaintenance Services 390 Avenida Pico Government Service Safety and SecurityMarblehead Elementary School 2410 Via Turqueza Public School Safety and SecurityMarblehead Park 2400 Via Turqueza Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityMarine Safety Building 620 Avenida Del Mar Marine Safety Safety and SecurityMax Berg Plaza Park 1100 Calle Puente Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityMEDHERO Urgent Care 905 Calle Amanecer Urgent Care Health and MedicalMira Costa Park 34001 Camino Mira Costa Parks and Recreation Safety and SecurityOle Hanson Beach Club and Pool 112 Boca de la Playa Parks and Recreation Safety and Security $WWDFKPHQW%'UDIW&ULWLFDO)DFLOLWLHV/LVW
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Club next week and can get you contact information for the president of the rotary.

I feel like more nonprofit organizations may be added… do the organizations have to be specifically devoted to caring for people?
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Generally, yes. This is to ensure we provide outreach to socially vulnerable populations during our planning process.
x Question from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Okay. Save Our Beaches is about the environment, but not caring for people. We can provide contacts for the entire list easily and we will put thought into additional groups to add to the list.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Nongovernmental organizations are busy, and only 2/10 organizations are likely to show up. For our purposes, we just have to demonstrate the offer to participate.
x Comment from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: We could also include the Downtown Business Association…
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: During our community outreach efforts, we can send groups not included as stakeholders a flyer so they can chat with us briefly at community events. o Response from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: Understood; making the distinction between groups that affect content and groups that provide feedback.
x Comment from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Mitigation action intersection is what is most important for these groups. Dana Point and Camp Pendleton would fulfill requirement to collaborate with neighboring jurisdictions. Rancho Mission Viejo, County of Orange, and State Parks would be good partners.
o Response from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: The Transportation Corridor Agency owns property in City and nearby areas; the Donna O’Neill Conservancy is also located on the northeastern side of the City.
x Comment from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: Lynn Mata is critical and so is our CERT team. 2 CERT presidents come to seek information. o Response from Rachel Perez [Public Works Administrative Assistant]:

National Night Out is a big event as well.
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: What about utilities or government liaisons?
o Response from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]:

Southern California Edison and SDG&E are City utility providers. There 635
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may be a third… South Coast Water provides service for a small sliver of the City. We will go through the list and flesh out needed additions. o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Our team can send the list as an Excel file if it would be easier. o Response from Rachel Perez [Public Works Administrative Assistant]: Dave Rebensdorf mentioned a few facilities he wanted to add to the critical facilities list; mostly utility plants.
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We could host two meetings with staff and two with external groups for action items? We like to see what actions are already in progress and which we can add as action items for this plan update.
o Answer from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: I had previously intended to include a City Council liaison to the planning process (Rick), but will remove him since he will not be needed to participate and I cannot appoint him to anything. A public safety committee does exist within the City, but will not be participating in the planning process. We could send the committee information on how they can provide input, but not directly contribute to the project.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We will have a public survey and when we deliver the LHMP for public review, they can provide input.

Work Program and Schedule
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Our team is curious if the 2024/2025 CIP is finalized and approved? o Answer from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: It should be approved; we have a 2-year CIP program. We used to have a 5-year program, but we now list potential future projects. So yes, it should be posted publicly. If not, we can provide the budget.
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Did I miss any other major projects?
o Answer from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: The only project would be the Army Corps of Engineers 50-year Coastal Damage Reduction Project. It can be found under the LCP tab on the City website. o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: I have looked at the LCP, but we will likely rely upon the sea level rise study more heavily for this project.
o Comment from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: We also do leak detection related to landslide and earth movement, but it is not 636
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within a formalized document.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: This can be listed as a capability within the LHMP.
x Question from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: We also do weed abatement; at City sites, we meet with OCFA for a walkthrough to identify what areas need trimming.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Codes related to weed abatement can also be listed as a capability. x Question from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: Our Certified Land Use Plan, as a part of the LCP, can also be listed. It contains some policies related to hazards.
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We can list this plan.
x Comment from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: The natural resources section of the General Plan may have information, along with a few other plans that may also be listed on our website. The emergency services tab has about a quarter of the total documents in the category. There may be other documents we can locate and send over.
x Question from Rachel Perez [Public Works Administrative Assistant]: Our EAP is out of date. Do we have to update it for this plan?
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: No.

The current EAP will serve as our baseline. The Palisade Reservoir EAP may also be helpful.
o Response from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: Joint Regional Water Supply manages that, but we can get the plan for you. The Schlegel Reservoir is giant and should have an EAP as well. The Palisades Reservoir does have a dam, hence your concern.
x Comment from Michael Yaffe [Michael Baker, West Region Resilience Lead]:

Sensitive information is used to identify capabilities within the plan, but not listed in the public plan.
x Question from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Can you send over a copy of the PowerPoint?
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Yes, I will send it over to you.
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Community Engagement Strategy
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Where would be the best location to put a booth for community outreach? We were thinking either in Downtown, at a community event, or even on the pier. o Answer from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: The City has a ton of events that it can be hosted at, and I have no opinion between City event or random location. I would like to train Meredith to do additional outreach in the same manner that can be sent back to the project team for feedback. One in-person event will not be sufficient to demonstrate a good enough public outreach effort.
o Response from Meredith Scott [Community Development Coordinator]: It is the perfect time of year to do that.
x Question from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: Will there be a press release to announce the kickoff of the planning effort? x Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: The content prepared for this meeting may be used for a press release. x Question from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Public information coordination will be through Maile Stivers. When is web content scheduled to be released?
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: July 10, next week.
o Response from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]:

Communicate with Meredith and I and we will work with Maile. She can coordinate with you on a press release to draw the interest of City residents. o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We can also send Word content in a working document for ease of editing. x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: How does the branding look? We built off of the City style guide but are happy to adjust. o Answer from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Looks professional, but we will run it past Andy. Besides the stucco with red roof, it looks great.
x Comment from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: For awareness, the City has initiated a contract with a group called CitySocial for social media assistance. Maile does social media, but we also have contacts in City as well. Let’s tie in CitySocial to push out good messaging and public opportunities to connect.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Sounds 638
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good; anything that helps to get the word out.
x Question from Michael Yaffe [Michael Baker, West Region Resilience Lead]:

Should we coordinate this effort two weeks before?
o Answer from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Yes, that works.
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: In terms of terminology related to climate change, we are required to address climate change itself but can use various terms to take the temperature down if needed. o Answer from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Until November, we probably want to go with “changing weather patterns”. After November, there is a legitimate change we may want to go back to “climate change”. Are terms used consistently enough that it can be an easy find and replace? For now, and the future, it is best to use “changing weather patterns” or “severe weather”.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Yes, find and replace would be easy.
x Question from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: Can climate change be addressed under human-caused hazards?
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Climate change is normally integrated under each hazard profile as one of the last paragraphs in the section. This paragraph typically describes how climate change exasperates the hazard. Instead of sea level rise, should we profile this hazard under “coastal erosion” instead? Sea level rise kind of gives a connotation that it is a future concern instead of a present concern. o Answer from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: That’s fine.

Critical Facilities List and Organization
Proposed Hazards for Consideration
x Question from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: For humancaused hazards, to what extent are we profiling them? We had a landslide about a year ago on a bluff where four homes were (at least) yellow-tagged. After the investigation, this was actually caused by a lack of maintenance to a retaining wall. o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Slope failure regardless of the cause would be applicable. Landslide, for example, can also theoretically be caused by an earthquake. It can be described as “this is happening, here are the factors contributing to the occurrence”. o Response from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: Improper 639
Project Management Kick-Off Meeting
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
maintenance and drainage could contribute to new mitigation actions. x Question from Rachel Perez [Public Works Administrative Assistant]: Does the fact that a property/facility is public or private have any effect on FEMA grant funding applications?
o Answer from Michael Yaffe [Michael Baker, West Region Resilience Lead]:

If a critical facility is in need of critical repairs, it will qualify under FEMA requirements. Applications are easier if the property in question is public property; otherwise, multiple people will be needed for the application. x Question from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: Would 9/11 be an example of mitigation funding?
o Answer from Michael Yaffe [Michael Baker, West Region Resilience Lead]:

Any time there is a disaster declaration, a certain type of funding becomes available. In the context of a LHMP, we are talking about HMA assistance, which is a different type of funding.
o Comment from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: The hazardous material release in Ohio was an example of a situation where FEMA stated they would not be involved, but later changed their stance. It would be very surprising for a hazard mitigation grant to go towards a human-caused hazard.
o Comment from Michael Yaffe [Michael Baker, West Region Resilience Lead]: For human-caused hazards, backup servers and critical facility hardening would be example mitigation actions for a hazard such as terrorism.
x Question from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Do we have a good mix of hazards? We did not remove any hazards from the last plan, but added hazards and did some bolstering based on industry best practices. o Question from Leslea Meyerhoff [Coastal Administrator]: Where are the terrorism and cyber attack hazards lumped into one?
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We like to reduce redundancy by grouping the discussion together since these hazards can be related. We can separate if needed.
x Question from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: Looks good. If anything were to change, it would just be adding additional topics. What is the timeframe on the hazards?
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We currently have placeholders until the critical facility and stakeholder list are finalized. If our goal is just to add, we can theoretically add between our first planning meeting and the small group stakeholder meetings. The stakeholder meetings usually produce ideas.
640
Project Management Kick-Off Meeting
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
o Comment from Michael Yaffe [Michael Baker, West Region Resilience Lead]: We can also provide you with a hazard list from the State HMP but will want to narrow down the list based on community needs due to our shortened timeframe.
x Comment from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We are actually scheduled out for a 5-month timeframe with a Thanksgiving holiday deadline as it stands now (November 22). If it feels too quick and engagement is being cut out, it would be best to target planning meetings for August, September, and/or October. If we extent to a 6-month timeframe, there will be additional time for comments and revisions on the deliverable.
o Comment from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: Cal OES has been extremely backlogged on plans. We are now looking at a 60- day review period for both Cal OES and FEMA. We will plan to submit on November 22, but factors surrounding the review period are outside of our control.
x Question from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: Do we need the City Council to take action?
o Answer from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We will want Cal OES and FEMA to approve the plan prior to Council approval.

This state will be known as APA, or approval pending adoption. o Response from Dave Rebensdorf [Public Works/Utilities Director]: We were concerned about the backlog in an election year. We would rather wait until after November for any City Council action.
x Comment from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: The City Manager’s objective is to get this plan moved along ASAP. The general City consensus is that the City is exposed and unable to address things that we have to assume will continue to happen. As long as we do our part efficiently, Cal OES and FEMA can play out by their rules.
o Response from Noelle Anderson [Michael Baker, Project Manager]: We will be looking to produce a high-quality plan and outreach results; a 6-month timeframe is quick if we need a light pause. Room for adjustment is available.
x Comment from Adam Atamian [Community Development Director]: The most critical thing for public outreach is providing a sense that there are many opportunities. At the end of the day, it is likely that only fifty people will give a serious review over a five-minute chat. We can talk with council members one-onone during public review and include comments afterwards. Anything we can do to sell this plan as a community in need of funding is good. 641
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Stakeholder Meeting #1 – Agenda
Thursday, August 15, 2024
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
via Microsoft Teams

1. Introduction and Roles/Responsibilities
x Primary contacts & communication
x Planning Process documentation

2. Project Background and Benefits
x Establish eligibility for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Funding o Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
o Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

3. Project Goals, Objectives, and Expectations
x LHMP Goals Brainstorming Activity

4. Purpose and Requirements of the LHMP
x Recent FEMA Policy Update

5. Hazard Identification and Prioritization
x FEMA Hazards List
x San Clemente Recommended Hazards
x Hazard Prioritization Activity
o Probability
o Location
o Maximum Probable Extent
o Secondary Impacts
x Question from Leslea Meyerhoff (Coastal Administrator/Summit Environmental, City of San Clemente) – Why are landslide, slope failure, and mudflow not grouped with geologic hazards?
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – We felt it was such an important hazard and have separated it out, but we can categorize it under geological hazards if need be.
o Leslea Meyerhoff – I agree that landslide, slope failure, and mudflow profile are important and can be separated out. There will be some overlap there since they are geologic hazards.
x Question from Robert Ferguson (Building and Safety Division, City of San Clemente) – Looking at the hazard prioritization survey, why is landslide not 100% probability since it is a current issue?
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – This is a weighted average of everyone’s input, but we are seeing landslide as one of the more likely and 696
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Stakeholder Meeting #1 – Agenda
higher priority hazards because as you mentioned this is something the City is currently experiencing.
x Question from Leslea Meyerhoff (Coastal Administrator/Summit Environmental, City of San Clemente) – For socially vulnerable populations, did you say the source is the US Census?
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – It’s the CDC Social Vulnerability Index and I believe the CDC uses census data. Sometimes we do use CalEnviroScreen when there is a designated Disadvantaged Community (DAC), but we did not see that in the City this time around. o Leslea Meyerhoff – I was just curious about the data since we have use CalEnviroScreen before.
x Question from Laura Bard (Co-President of San Clemente Rotary) – On the topic of location size of the geographical area affected by hazard, when you say a typical facility, do you mean a typical home or some other building or infrastructure? o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – You can think of a typical home in this case for considering primary impacts. Public and commercial buildings are usually built at a higher standard than residential assets. x Question from Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – I see heavy rains coming up a lot in this prioritization activity along with flood, has that been a recurring issue?
o Laura Bard (Co-President of San Clemente Rotary) – After the last 2 winter seasons, I think flood has been on everyone’s mind a bit more.

6. Data Needs and Capabilities
x Question from Laura Bard (Co-President of San Clemente Rotary) – Do you have the high fire zone maps?
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – Yes, we do have those and we will include those maps in the vulnerability assessment. x Question from Rachel Perez (Public Works Administrative Assistant) – I’m working on our IPP (Interagency Preparedness Plan), when that is finished, would you like that as well?
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – Yes, if you can provide that, that would be great.
x Question from Zak Ponsen (Assistant City Engineer, City of San Clemente) – Do you have all the flood maps? We are currently working on updating floodplain maps. I can follow up with Rachel Perez and get you any relevant documents. o Noelle Anderson (Project Manage, Michael Baker) – That would be great, thank you.

Action Item: Zak Ponsen (Assistant City Engineer, City of San Clemente) to follow up with Rachel Perez (Public Works Administrative Assistant) to see if there are any outstanding documents the Michael Baker team will need for the LHMP.

7. Conclusion and Wrap-Up
x Question from Leslea Meyerhoff (Coastal Administrator/Summit Environmental, City of San Clemente) – Will people that did not participate today for whatever reason be able to rank and identify the hazards?
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Stakeholder Meeting #1 – Agenda
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – Yes, we can set it up as an online survey to be taken later and leave it open for 2 weeks.

Action Item: MBI to provide link to hazard identification and prioritization survey. x Comment from Kyle Gough (Transmission Main Manager, South Coast Water District) – Please invite Blaise Bausch (Safety and Compliance Program Manager, South Coast Water District) for future meetings:
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – We will add him to our list of participating stakeholders and include him in all future meeting invites. x Comment from Dustin Burnside (Utilities Department, City of San Clemente) – Utilities Staff, including South Coast Water District and other Water District involvement will be hampered by Friday meetings as most work 4/10's.
x Question from Adam Atamian (Community Development Director, City of San Clemente) – Our next meeting is next Friday, was there anything before the coffee chats that we need to get going before next Friday?
o Noelle Anderson (Project Manager, Michael Baker) – I can send the meeting materials for the outreach event, but if you would like to suggest any revisions before we print, just let us know.
o Adam Atamian – We can take a look before we publish everything on the website, but I think all of that looked fine to print.
o Meredith Scott (Community Development Coordinator, City of San Clemente) – Let us know what you need from our end. We have tables, chairs, etc. for the coffee chats.

Next Steps/Action Items Summary
Action Item: MBI to send Stakeholder Meeting #1 Notes.

Action Item: MBI to send hazard identification and prioritization survey for additional stakeholders to rank hazards.

Action Item: City to send relevant plans, reports, and documents to Noelle by Oct. 4, 2024. x Zak Ponsen to coordinate with Rachel Perez on floodplain maps and other relevant LHMP documents.
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Subject: EXTERNAL: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Focus Group Meetings Location: Room City Hall Conf Rm A - 3rd Floor
Start: Mon 10/7/2024 1:00 PM
End: Mon 10/7/2024 3:30 PM
Recurrence: (none)
Meeting Status: Accepted
Organizer: Scott, Meredith
Resources: Room City Hall Conf Rm A - 3rd Floor

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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of San Clemente, California
Project Management Focus Group
Meetings

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San Clemente City CouncilMarch 4, 2025

San Clemente City Council
March 4, 2025