Young populations under age 17 may be more vulnerable to the impacts of wildfire/urban fire and wildfire smoke hazards due to being more susceptible to injuries and illnesses as their bodies are still developing. Younger children may also have limited mobility and awareness to evacuate from a wildfire/urban fire or escape incoming wildfire smoke. Younger populations rely heavily on adults for protection, care, and decision-making; thus, if parents/guardians/caregivers are affected by a disaster, the child’s safety and well-being may be compromised. Additionally, wildfire/urban fire and wildfire smoke can lead to school closures and displacement, which may disrupt children’s education and social development.
Elderly populations age 65 and older are more vulnerable to wildfire/urban fire and wildfire smoke events. Persons aged 65 or older often face several challenges when responding to an emergency, such as mobility challenges, health concerns, social isolation, barriers to transportation, and limited access to information or technology. In addition, there is often overlap between persons aged 65 or older and persons with a disability, as older adults experience increased prevalence of disabilities. This could include cognitive impairment, difficulties with independent living, or hearing and vision problems. Wildfire smoke can also exacerbate underlying health conditions that this SVP may have. Lastly, this population may rely on caregivers for their well-being; thus, evacuation may be more difficult if this service is disrupted.
Similarly, persons with disabilities are highly vulnerable to wildfire/urban fires and wildfire smoke due to mobility challenges, having difficulty evacuating quickly, and difficulty navigating evacuation routes. This population may have more underlying health conditions that can be exacerbated by the stress and demands of a wildfire event. There may be communication barriers to this population as emergency alerts and information may only be accessible in limited communication mediums. Wildfire/urban fires can damage or destroy essential assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices, and other medical technology.
Additionally, persons with disabilities might rely on caregiving services, which may be disrupted during a wildfire event and make it difficult to evacuate.
Persons exposed to areas with a high pollution burden are more vulnerable to wildfire/urban fire and wildfire smoke hazards for a variety of reasons. Wildfire/urban fire and wildfire smoke hazards can further exacerbate conditions for those who are already exposed to high pollution levels and have weakened respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, contaminated wildfire smoke can further increase their risk of illness. Communities with high pollution often face economic challenges, making it harder to prepare and recover from wildfire/urban fire events. Lastly, persons dwelling in areas with a high pollution burden may have older, less resilient infrastructure, increasing their vulnerability during a wildfire event and ultimately leading to prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions.
Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable during wildfire events due to their lack of familiarity 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 DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 9. Wildfire and Urban Fire Hazard Assessment D.
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to respond quickly. Additionally, they might not have access to timely information about the wildfire event or the resources needed to cope with the aftermath. The City hosts multiple community events throughout the year and nearby Huntington Beach and Long Beach are expected to host sizeable events for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, indicting increased present and future vulnerability. These factors make SVPs throughout Seal Beach especially vulnerable to the impacts of a wildfire/urban fire and wildfire smoke.
Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 11.0, Mitigation Strategy. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions P.1, P.8, 1.8, 5.4, and 5.9 to mitigate hazard impacts to SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuation, and access to emergency services.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE Section 9. Wildfire and Urban Fire Hazard Assessment September 2025
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. 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.
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.
Hazardous materials are generated, used, and stored by facilities throughout the City of Seal Beach 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 commercial/retail businesses and the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. Further, transportation of hazardous materials is known to occur on roadways and freeways within the City. No specific hazard zones are mapped for hazardous materials spills, therefore the entirety of the planning area could potentially be impacted.
-....
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SECTION 10: HUMAN-CAUSED HAZARD
ASSESSMENT
10.1 HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILL
1 0.1.1 DESCRIPTION
10.1.2 LOCATION/EXTENT
Most hazardous materials in the City of Seal Beach 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 Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station produces a large quantity of hazardous materials and is the source of most active cleanup sites in the City. 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. 12 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.34 5
According to the Department of Toxic Substances Control EnviroStar database, there is one active voluntary cleanup site. This site, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (Seal Beach Blvd and Westminster Ave), contains 56 sites that have been subject to contamination investigations.
Contaminants at this site include acids, alkaline, explosives, waste oils, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), fuels, solvents, paint thinners, asbestos, mercury, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals, oil drilling fluids, and paint wastes.
According to the GeoTracker, there are 14 open sites undergoing active clean up in the City; refer to Table 10-1, Active Cleanup Sites. Eight of these active sites are located on the Naval Weapons Station, with five other sites located near downtown, and one near Westminster Blvd. and Seal Beach Blvd. The potential contaminants of concern primarily include gasoline for those sites not located on the Naval Weapons Station.
Table 10-1
Active Cleanup Sites
Name Address ID Type Date
G&M Oil #01 1300 Pacific
Coast Hwy
T0605901801 Open –
Remediation
10/10/2005
SEAL BEACH MARINA
PARK LEASE AND
HELLER FEE
101 Marina Dr T10000017860 Open – Site
Assessment
4/10/2024
ARCO #6066 490 Pacific
Coast
T0605900372 Open –
Remediation
3/26/2013
1 Department of Homeland Security, Chemicals and Hazardous Materials Incidents, https://www.ready.gov/hazardous-materials-incidents, accessed December 27, 2024. 2 Department of Toxic Substances Control, EnviroStor, https://dtsc.ca.gov/your-envirostor/, updated 2024, accessed December 31, 2024.
3 State Water Resources Control Board, GeoTracker, https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/, updated 2024, accessed December 31, 2024.
4 Health and Safety Code Division 20, Chapter 6.95, Hazardous Materials Release Response Plans and Inventory, Article 1.
5 U.S. EPA, Health and Ecological Hazards Caused by Hazardous Substances, https://www.epa.gov/emergencyresponse/health-and-ecological-hazards-caused-hazardous-substances, accessed December 27, 2024.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 Name Address ID Type Date
SHELL OIL 347 Main T0605900293 Open –
Remediation
11/6/2002
CHEVRON #9-3530 350 Main T0605900085 Open –
Remediation
2/18/2022
Momart Dry Cleaning
Facility (Former)
1101 Pacific
Coast Highway
T10000010250 Open –
Remediation
3/22/2017
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station- IR - US
Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach, IR-5
Landfill/UXO
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
DOD100379100 Open -
Verification
Monitoring
11/14/2003
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station- IR - US
Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach, IR-70
Research, Testing and
Evaluation Area
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
DOD100355700 Open –
Remediation
1/5/2009
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station- IR -
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station, Site 74
- Old Skeet Range
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
T10000005653 Open –
Remediation
4/13/2015
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station - MMRP
- Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach MMRP AOC-2
Explosives Drop Test
Tower
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
T10000017346 Open –
Remediation
5/28/2021
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station - MMRP
- US Naval Weapons
Station Seal Beach - MRP
- UXO1 Primer/Salvage
Yard
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
T10000000673 Open –
Remediation
3/21/2022
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station - MMRP
- Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station - MMRP,
MRP Site UXO6
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
T10000021004 Open –
Remediation
4/27/2023
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station- IR - US
Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach, IR-7 Station
Landfill
800 Seal Beach
Blvd
DOD100350600 Open -
Verification
Monitoring
4/2/2004
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment Name Address ID Type Date
Seal Beach Naval
Weapons Station- IR -
Naval Weapons Station
Seal Beach, Agricultural
Well KAYO-SB, IRP Site
75 800 Seal Beach
Blvd
T10000003011 Open - Site
Assessment
5/3/2011
Source: State Water Resources Control Board, GeoTracker, https://geotracker.waterboards.ca.gov/, updated 2024, accessed January 8, 2025.
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 2023 indicated three hazardous waste generators in the City of Seal Beach: CVS Pharmacy #8843 (921 Pacific Coast Hwy), CVS Pharmacy #9551 (12490 Seal Beach Blvd), and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach (800 Seal Beach Blvd).6 Multiple hazardous waste types are generated at these locations (most notably acids, alkaline, explosives, waste oils, PCBs, fuels, oil drilling fluids, and other materials) are disposed pursuant to RCRA regulations.
Hazardous materials are transported throughout California and Orange County, primarily along highways under the regulatory authority of the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The primary transportation routes for hazardous materials near the City of Seal Beach include the I-405 and I605 freeways. Some hazardous material transportation activities are conducted through Pacific Coast Highway and Seal Beach Boulevard within the City.7 Disruption to a major freeway due to a hazardous materials release could result in significant safety and economic impacts to City, county, or even state populations and assets.
Other hazardous materials transport within the City occurs through an underground pipeline system, including oil and natural gas. The planning area is also home to a complex network of oil infrastructure that includes both active and inactive wells and pipelines. Historically, oil production in Seal Beach dates back to the 1920s. As the Seal Beach Oil Field was once a part of the larger Wilmington Oil Field, there is oil infrastructure shared between both Seal Beach and the neighboring City of Long Beach for transport and refinement. Regulatory agencies responsible for permitting and safety of these pipelines do not provide precise location data for inclusion in hazard mitigation plans due to safety and security concerns. Therefore, risk is generally discussed within this section.
In addition, the Alamitos Energy Center (AEC), sometimes referenced as Alamitos Energy Station (AES) or Alamitos Generating Station (AGS) is located within the neighboring City of Long Beach, adjacent to the planning area. AEC is a natural gas power station and is a major source of electricity in California. Beginning in 2013, the AEC began phasing modernization of equipment including improvements to power blocks, turbines and other ancillary equipment. As part of this 6 United States Environmental Protection Agency, Biennial Report Summary 2021, https://rcrapublic.epa.gov/rcrainfoweb/action/modules/br/summary/view, accessed April 29, 2025. 7 City of Seal Beach, General Plan Safety Element,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Safety%20Element.pdf, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 modernization, a battery energy storage system (BESS) was incorporated into the system to provide energy storage solutions for capacity and grid reliability. In the event of a disaster, AEC could pose a unique hazard due to the presence of natural gas and BESS. This facility is regulated and permitted through the California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission, and compliance proceedings and documentation are available through this agency.
Long Beach Environmental Health is the local agency responsible for implementing and enforcing hazardous waste and hazardous materials regulatory programs.
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. The majority of historical hazardous materials releases in the City of Seal Beach are relatively small in scale and are efficiently cleaned up. According to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) incident database, no hazardous materials spills have been recorded to PHMSA in Seal Beach since 1992.8 The following incidents involving hazardous materials outside of the PHMSA database within the last five years have been detailed below:
• September 5, 2022 – Local residents reported a tar ball at E Dolphin Avenue and E Seal Way. The source of the tar ball is unknown, and no injuries were reported.9 • March 2022 – Tar balls were reported on multiple Orange County beaches as a result of the rupture of two oil pipelines. Over 25,000 gallons of oil was released in this incident, yielding significant environmental impacts.10
• December 22, 2021 – A boat crew located a rainbow-colored sheen on the Pacific Ocean from an unknown source. No injuries were reported in this incident, and the sheen was quickly cleaned up.11
The community also reported concern related to pollutants associated with the Port of Long Beach.
During 2021, the Port of Long Beach experienced a significant backlog due to increased consumer demand, pandemic-related supply chain disruptions, and limited staff capacity. This led to a record number of container ships waiting to unload off the shore of Seal Beach and other Orange County coastal cities. Hazardous materials concerns from the public include air pollutants from idling ships or sewage discharge into the ocean.
No federally declared disasters related to hazardous materials have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-4, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.
8 PHMSA, Incident Statistics, https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/hazmat-program-management-data-andstatistics/data-operations/incident-statistics, accessed January 8, 2025. 9 Cal OES, Hazardous Materials Spill Report,
https://w3.calema.ca.gov/operational/malhaz.nsf/f1841a103c102734882563e200760c4a/5d8416ab0a34 be41882588b5000e8fd1?OpenDocument, accessed January 8, 2025. 10 Heal the Bay, What We Know (and Don’t) About the Oil Spill in Orange County, https://healthebay.org/oilspill-in-orange-county-california/#:~:text=We%20will%20not%20know%20the,[email protected]., accessed January 8, 2025.
11 Cal OES, Hazardous Materials Spill Report,
https://w3.calema.ca.gov/operational/malhaz.nsf/f1841a103c102734882563e200760c4a/6c1161f35d59 6403882587b3006aa292?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,D.C.O.R, accessed January 8, 2025.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
10.1.3 PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment I • Hazardous materials use throughout the City of Seal Beach will continue in the future and thus the possibility of a hazardous materials release will continue to be a concern. However, federal, State, and local governments implement applicable policies 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 Huntington Beach facility is closest to the City of Seal Beach.
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.12 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 percent probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. While the LHMP Planning Team acknowledges this reoccurrence interval does not bear out historically, the team felt strongly that future hazardous material releases affecting the planning area will occur in the future and therefore felt “somewhat likely” best defined probability for this specific hazard. The likelihood for future hazardous materials spills is considered medium.
Accidental hazardous materials releases can be caused by human error or equipment failure, 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 severe weather events or even wildfire could spread contamination to large geographic areas and amplify long-term impacts on human and ecological health. Spills or releases in challenging clean-up conditions can result in more severe damage or impacts compared to spills during normal conditions.
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 12 Department of Toxic Substances Control, Certified Unified Program Agencies (CUPA), https://dtsc.ca.gov/certified-unified-program-agencies-cupa/, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
10.1.4 PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
10.1.5 CLIMATE CHANGE
10.2 TERRORISM/CYBERATTACKS
10.2.1 DESCRIPTION
Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 inspired by or associated with designated foreign terrorist organizations or nations (i.e., State sponsored).13 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.14
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.15 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.16 Many critical facilities and infrastructure within the City operate using information technology and thus are potential targets for cyberterrorism or cyber-attacks.
Terrorism and Cyberattacks may impact the entirety of the planning area, as 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:
• Schools
• Hospitals
• City Hall
• Community centers
• Libraries
• Transit operations and stops
• Shopping malls/large retail centers
• Highways and other transportation infrastructure
• Power plants and utility infrastructure
• Event/entertainment centers
13 Federal Bureau of Investigation, Terrorism, https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/terrorism, accessed December 27, 2024.
14 U.S. Federal Code Title 18, Chapter 113B, Section 2331. 15 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 December 27, 2024. 16 International Business Machines Corporation, What is a cyberattack?, https://www.ibm.com/topics/cyber-attack, accessed December 27, 2024.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
10.2.2 LOCATION/EXTENT
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment The City of Seal Beach 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. Seal Beach hosts a Naval Weapons Station within City limits.
Depending on the type and size of an attack, impacts of terrorism or other acts of violence on the base could significantly affect entirety of the City of Seal Beach.
Unlike physical terrorist 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 the potential to cause violence, service disruptions, physical damage, psychosocial impacts, economic damage, 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 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.
While the City of Seal Beach has not previously experienced any terrorist attacks, the City was the subject of a ransomware attack on December 24, 2019.17 No known financial or personal information was stolen during this incident. As a result of this attack, the City has taken swift action to increase cybersecurity measures, including the preparation of the 2022 Cyber Security Incident Response Plan.
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), which services the planning area, was also 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.18 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 4-4, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.
The probability of a terrorist attack/cyberattack in the City of Seal Beach is considered likely. A probability of likely indicates a 10 to 100 percent probability of a terrorist attack/cyberattack occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 10 years or less. While the LHMP Planning Team acknowledges this reoccurrence interval does not bear out historically, the team felt 17 City of Seal Beach, Cyber Security Incident Response Plan, published April 2022. 18 Voice of OC, Transportation Authority Kept Secret Cyber Attacker That Cost $600,000, https://voiceofoc.org/2024/06/santana-cyber-attacking-your-right-toknow/#:~:text=Here%20in%20Orange%20County%2C%20we%20have%20some%20experience,cyberse curity%20dealings%20with%20large%20agencies.&text=And%20thanks%20to%20the%20reporting,out %20computer%20servers%20for%20days., published August 2, 2016, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
10.2.3 PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
10.2.4 PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
•• Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 strongly that future terrorist attacks/cyberattacks affecting the planning area will occur in the future and therefore felt “likely” best defined probability for this specific hazard. Additionally, 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 likelihood for cyberterrorism or cyber-attacks is considered medium.
As terrorism and cyberattack 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.19 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.20 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.21 According to the County of Orange, civil disturbances may be triggered by:
• Spontaneous reactions to verdicts in high-profile trials (retaliation or celebration) • Spontaneous reactions to organized sporting event outcomes • Organized reactions or demonstrations
• 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.
19 Climate Diplomacy Organization, Insurgency, Terrorism and Organized Crime in a Warming Climate, https://www.climate-diplomacy.org/publications/insurgency-terrorism-and-organised-crime-warmingclimate, accessed January 8, 2025. 20 FEMA, Glossary – FEMA Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms, https://training.fema.gov/programs/emischool/el361toolkit/glossary.htm, accessed December 27, 2024. 21 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 December 27, 2024.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
10.2.5 CLIMATE CHANGE
10.3 CIVIL DISTURBANCE/CIVIL UNREST
l 0.3.1 DESCRIPTION
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment In Orange County, responses to civil unrest are generally handled at the City level; in the case of Seal Beach, the local Seal Beach Police 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.22 Civil disorder can occur anywhere within the City of Seal Beach and therefore the entirety of the planning area is could be impacted. 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.23
The specific location of a civil disturbance and civil unrest within the City of Seal Beach 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 community centers.
Downtown Seal Beach 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 unrest may occur in small geographic areas, involve limited individuals, and result in minor property damage. Severe civil unrest 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.
22 Ibid.
23 Cal OES, 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/HazardMitigation/Documents/2023-California-SHMP_Volume-1_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
10.3.2 LOCATION/EXTENT
Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 Civil disturbance/civil unrest is a rare occurrence in Seal Beach, 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:
• September 4, 2020 – Crowd gathers to protest the fatal shooting of a homeless man, resulting in a minor altercation.
• September 2, 2020 – Crowd gathers to protest police brutality. • May 3, 2020 – Crowd gathers at the Seal Beach Pier to protest Covid-19 stay-at-home orders.
No federally declared disasters related to civil disorder/civil disturbance have impacted the planning area within the last five years; refer to Table 4-4, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area.
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 Seal Beach 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 percent probability of occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. While the LHMP Planning Team acknowledges this reoccurrence interval does not bear out historically, the team felt strongly that future civil disturbance/civil unrest affecting the planning area will occur in the future and therefore felt “somewhat likely” best defined probability for this specific hazard. The likelihood of future occurrences is considered medium.
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.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
10.3.3 PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
l 0.3.4 PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
10.3.5 CLIMATE CHANGE
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment 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”.24 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 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 Seal Beach 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.25 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, 24 World Health Organization, Vector-Borne Diseases, https://www.who.int/news-room/factsheets/detail/vector-borne-diseases, accessed December 27, 2024. 25 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 December 27, 2024.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
10.4 PANDEMIC
l 0.4. l DESCRIPTION
Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 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.26 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).27
Disease and pandemic are unmapped hazards, and have the potential to affect the entirety of the planning area.
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 Seal Beach and Orange County.
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 the elderly. 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 Seal Beach.
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 26 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-medicaldefinition, updated February 21, 2023, accessed December 27, 2024. 27 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 December 27, 2024.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan l 0.4.2 LOCATION/EXTENT
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment 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 Seal Beach, 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.28 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.29, 30 The extent to which a pandemic could impact Seal Beach 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 depend on the ability to respond by developing and administering vaccinations, or other public health measures for mitigating the spread of the disease.
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.31 The entire population of the City of Seal Beach was impacted by this event, and the City was included in the federal disaster declaration issued for this hazard event by FEMA.
Seal Beach 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 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, 8,831 known deaths in Orange County have been attributed to Covid-19.32 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 Seal Beach and County of Orange made various 28 California Department of Public Health, Isolation Q&A, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Covid-19/Isolation-QA.aspx, accessed January 8, 2025.
29 Mayo Clinic, Covid-19 in babies and children, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/coronavirus/in-depth/coronavirus-in-babies-and-children/art-20484405, published October 21, 2022, accessed January 8, 2025.
30 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 January 8, 2025.
31 World Health Organization, WHO Covid-19 Dashboard,
https://data.who.int/dashboards/Covid19/deaths?n=o, accessed January 8, 2025. 32 OC Healthcare Agency, Orange County Covid-19 Dashboard, https://ochealthdata.com/dashboard/Coviddashboard, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
10.4.3 PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES
Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 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.33 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.34 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.35 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.36 In the last five years, two FEMA-declared disasters for the pandemic hazard have affected the planning area:
• DR-3428-CA: Covid-19 Pandemic – March 13, 2020
• DR-4482-CA: Covid-19 Pandemic – March 22, 2020
Refer to Table 4-4, Summary of Federally Declared Disasters Affecting the Planning Area for a full list of federally declared disasters affecting the planning area.
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 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 33 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 January 8, 2025.
34 CDC, Past Pandemics, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/past-pandemics.html, accessed January 8, 2025.
35 Ibid.
36 Ibid.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan l 0.4.4 PROBABILITY OF FUTURE OCCURRENCES
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment 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.
The probability of a pandemic in the City of Seal Beach is considered somewhat likely. A probability of somewhat likely indicates a 1 percent to 10 percent probability of pandemic occurrence in the next year or a recurrence interval of 11 to 100 years. While the LHMP Planning Team acknowledges this reoccurrence interval does not bear out historically, the team felt strongly that future pandemics affecting the planning area will occur in the future and therefore felt “somewhat likely” best defined probability for this specific hazard. The LHMP planning team assigned a medium hazard planning consideration for pandemics.
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.37 Furthermore, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, increases in climate change and development such as rising temperatures and deforestation for agricultural purposes contribute to habitat loss worldwide.38 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.
Hazardous Materials Spill
Hazardous materials spills may occur anywhere within the planning area. Additionally, due to the proximity of the AES Alamitos Battery Energy Storage System, a hazardous materials spill from this plant may pose a threat to the City. 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 Seal Beach is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings and the entire population.
37 National Science Foundation, Study finds that climate change could spark the next pandemic, https://beta.nsf.gov/news/study-finds-climate-change-could-spark-next, accessed January 8, 2025. 38 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Coronavirus and Climate Change, https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/c-change/subtopics/coronavirus-and-climate-change, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE l 0.4.5 CLIMATE CHANGE
10.5 VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
l 0.5. l HAZARD VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT
Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 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 Seal Beach. 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 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.
In some circumstances, hazardous materials are stored alongside critical facilities or transported to the critical facility as part of standard operations. Failure of these critical facilities could result in hazardous materials releases or spills, with the extent of the spill ultimately dependent on the extent of damage to the critical facility.
Terrorism/Cyberattacks
Vulnerable areas for terrorism and cyberattacks are not geographically defined and thus it is reasonable to assume that the entire City of Seal Beach is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and nonresidential buildings, and the entire population.
Terrorist 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
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 Seal Beach is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings, and the entire population. 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 Old Towne and Main Street area of Seal Beach 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.
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment 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 Seal Beach is potentially vulnerable. This vulnerability includes all City critical facilities, infrastructure systems, structures, residential and non-residential buildings, and the entire population.
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 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.
Since the 2019 LHMP, development and land use has not substantially changed in the planning area. In the five years since the approval of the previous LHMP, only one significant housing development was identified in the City’s most recent 2021-2029 Housing Element: the construction of approximately thirty single family homes on a former Department of Water and Power (DWP) site at the intersection of Marina Drive and 1st Avenue. Other land use changes since the 2019 LHMP occurred at limited level, such as the addition of ADUs and/or lot line adjustments.
As these changes were minor in size and scale, vulnerability is not considered to have significantly changed in the past five years.
As development and land use in the planning area has not substantially changed since the 2019 LHMP, population trends have also remained relatively the same. United States Census Data reports a 2020 population of 25,232 and a 2023 population of 24,868, representing a 1.44 percent population decline. Generally, observed population decline in the planning area is associated with an overall aging population.
Specifically related to hazardous materials spills or releases, community outreach and feedback received indicated concern regarding the new BESS recently constructed at the AEC (formerly AES), located within the neighboring City of Long Beach. While this facility is located outside of the planning area, the community considers the BESS to create an increase in vulnerability from the previous five years.
Looking forward, the City anticipates most population growth would align with the 2021-2029 Housing Element, which proposes to accommodate the City’s Regional Housing Needs Allocation of 1,243 units largely at commercial sites which are proposed to be rezoned for mixed use. These areas may be impacted by human-caused hazards while areas with high foot-traffic may experience higher vulnerability to civil disturbance/unrest and terrorism/cyberattacks. Based on City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE
10.5.2 CHANGES IN VULNERABILITY FROM PREVIOUS FIVE YEARS
10.5.3 CHANGES IN VULNERABILITY FOR FUTURE FIVE YEARS
Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025 anticipated growth and development, it is reasonable to assume that vulnerability to humancaused hazards will increase over the 5-year planning period of this LHMP.
Section 3-7 includes a detailed determination of Socially Vulnerable Populations (SVPs) within the planning area and characteristics that make those populations more vulnerable to hazards.
Human-caused hazards can affect all SVPs including census tracts 995.09, 995.10, 995.02 and the Seal Beach Shores Mobile Home Park. Hazardous materials spill and pandemic can affect the entirety of the planning area, potentially affecting all SVPs. Human-caused hazards such as civil disturbance/unrest may occur more in mixed commercial areas with high foot traffic away from identified SVPs, whereas terrorism/cyberattacks can occur on the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station and potentially affect SVPs in census tract 995.02. However, these hazards are not limited to these areas and can affect the whole City.
SVPs and other high-risk individuals exist throughout the planning area and may be present within human-caused hazard areas despite a census tract’s social vulnerability classification. Specific SVPs and high-risk individuals that may be present throughout the planning area include unemployed individuals, elderly populations age 65 and older, young populations under age 17, persons with disabilities, persons with high pollution burden, and tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations. The primary concern for SVPs and other high-risk individuals in the City would be evacuation efforts, access to emergency services and supplies, and recovery.
Unemployed individuals may be more vulnerable to human-caused hazards as they may be limited in financial resources to prepare for disasters, such as purchasing emergency supplies, securing adequate housing, or evacuating to safer areas with transportation. Additionally, unemployed individuals may have substandard housing that may be more susceptible to human-caused hazards such as hazardous materials spills. These populations also may not have resources to seek medical care following a human-caused hazard event. 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 human-caused hazard event.
Young populations under age 17 may be more vulnerable to the impacts of human-caused hazards due to being more susceptible to injuries and illnesses as their bodies are still developing. Younger children may also have limited mobility and awareness to evacuate in a timely manner during a disaster, and rely heavily on adults for protection, care, and decision-making. Thus, if parents/guardians/caregivers are affected by a disaster, the child’s safety and well-being may be compromised. Additionally, a human-caused hazard can lead to school closures and displacement, which may disrupt children’s education and social development.
Elderly populations age 65 and older are more vulnerable to human-caused hazard events.
Persons aged 65 or older often face several challenges when responding to an emergency, such as mobility challenges, health concerns, social isolation, barriers to transportation, and limited access to information or technology. In addition, there is often overlap between persons aged 65 or older and persons with a disability, as older adults experience increased prevalence of disabilities. This could include cognitive impairment, difficulties with independent living, or hearing and vision DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
10.6 SOCIALLY VULNERABLE POPULATIONS ASSESSMENT
September 2025 Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment problems. Lastly, this population may rely on caregivers for their well-being; thus, evacuation may be more difficult if this service is disrupted.
Similarly, persons with disabilities are highly vulnerable to human-caused hazardous events due to mobility challenges including difficulties evacuating quickly. This population may have more underlying health conditions that can be exacerbated by the stress and demands of a humancaused hazard event. There may be communication barriers to this population as emergency alerts and information may only be accessible in limited communication mediums. Human-caused hazards can damage or destroy essential assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices, and other medical technology. Additionally, persons with disabilities might rely on caregiving services, which may be disrupted during a human-caused hazard event and make it difficult to evacuate.
Persons exposed to areas with a high pollution burden are more vulnerable to human-caused hazards for a variety of reasons. Human-caused hazards can further exacerbate populations with high pollution burdens who are already exposed to high pollution levels and have weakened respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, human-caused hazards such as a hazardous materials spill or a pandemic can further increase this SVP’s risk of illness. Communities with high pollution often face economic challenges, making it harder to prepare and recover from humancaused hazard events. Lastly, persons dwelling in areas with a high pollution burden may have older, less resilient infrastructure, increasing the likelihood of damage during events such hazardous materials spill and ultimately leading to prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions.
Tourists, seasonal visitors, and homeless populations are particularly vulnerable during humancaused hazard events due to their lack of familiarity 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 ongoing emergency or the resources needed to cope with the aftermath.
The City hosts multiple community events throughout the year and nearby Huntington Beach and Long Beach are expected to host sizeable events for the upcoming 2028 Olympic Games, resulting in increased present and future vulnerability. These factors make SVPs throughout Seal Beach especially vulnerable to the impacts of a human-caused hazard event.
Considerations for SVPs throughout the planning area were incorporated into the mitigation strategy in Section 11.0, Mitigation Strategy. Specifically, the LHMP Planning Team tailored Mitigation Actions P.1, P.8, 1.8, 5.4, and 5.9 to mitigate hazard impacts to SVPs including issues related to preparedness, evacuation, and access to emergency services.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE Section 1 0. Human-Caused Hazard Assessment September 2025
• The City completed 7 of the actions identified in the 2019 LHMP. • The City carried over 42 actions from the previous 2019 LHMP for inclusion in this LHMP update.
• The City collaborated with stakeholders and members of the community to establish new hazard mitigation actions to be accomplished over the 5-year planning horizon of this LHMP.
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 actions represent the City’s approach for reducing and/or eliminating potential losses as identified in Section 4.0.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides 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.
WHAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE 2025 PLAN?
SECTION 11: MITIGATION STRATEGY
11.1 HAZARD MITIGATION OVERVIEW
1 1. 1 .1 FE MA'S NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM
The City is a participant of the NFIP and implements the requirements of NFIP through the Seal Beach Municipal Code Chapter 9.45, Floodplain Management. Specific administration and enforcement regulations are outlined in Chapter 9.45 and Chapter 11.4.10.020, Performance Standards. Section 11.4.10.020, Performance Standards, states: “National Flood Insurance Program. The provisions of Chapter 9.45: Floodplain Management, of the municipal code and the provisions of 44 C.F.R. Parts 59-77, shall be complied with, in all respects, for compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).” The latest FIRM maps adopted for the City are dated effective March 21, 2019.
The Seal Beach Municipal Code Section 9.45.070 designated the City Engineer 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 9.45. The terms “new construction” and “substantial improvement” are defined in Section 9.45.050 of the Municipal Code. All new construction and substantial improvement are subject to the development standards outlined in Chapter 9.45, 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 zero Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) and eleven Repetitive Loss (RL) properties within the jurisdiction.
The City does not have further information regarding the structure type for RL properties within the jurisdiction.
Additionally, it is noted that the City’s General Plan Land Use Map identifies where specific land uses are allowed within the City. The two major drainage channels within the City are the Los Alamitos Channel and the Federal Storm Channel. Much of the remaining runoff not flowing through these channels drains into the Pacific Ocean, San Gabriel River, and the Naval Weapons Station. This land use does not permit habitable development within these drainages, 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:
• 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.
• Medium Priority: A promising idea that needs more information or is an action that addresses a moderate hazard.
• Low Priority: An idea that needs more information or will take a lot of preliminary action to build support.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE l l. l .2 HAZARD MITIGATION PRIORITIZATION
Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
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.
54 Total Actions
14 New Actions
1 Action
Removed
20 Hazards
Addressed Completed
Mitigation Actions
Mitigation Actions
In Progress
7 42
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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 11-1, 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.
Table 11-1
STAPLE/E Review and Selection Criteria
STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
Social • Is the proposed action socially acceptable to the jurisdiction and surrounding community?
• Are there equity issues involved that would mean that one segment of the jurisdiction and/or community is treated unfairly?
• Will the action cause social disruption?
Technical • Will the proposed action work?
• Will it create more problems than it solves?
• Does it solve a problem or only a symptom?
• Is it the most useful action considering other jurisdiction goals?
Administrative • Can the jurisdiction implement the action? • Is there someone to coordinate and lead the effort?
• Is there sufficient funding, staff, and technical support available?
• Are there ongoing administrative requirements that need to be met?
Political • Is the action politically acceptable?
• Is there public support both to implement and to maintain the project?
Legal • Is the jurisdiction authorized to implement the proposed action?
• Are there legal side effects? Could the activity be construed as a taking?
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
STAPLE/E Review Selection Criteria
• Will the jurisdiction be liable for action or lack of action? • Will the activity be challenged?
Economic • What are the costs and benefits of this action? • Do the benefits exceed the costs?
• Are initial, maintenance, and administrative costs
considered?
• Has funding been secured for the proposed action? If not, what are the potential funding sources (public, nonprofit, and private)?
• How will this action affect the fiscal capability of the jurisdiction?
• What burden will this action place on the tax base or local economy?
• What are the budget and revenue effects of this activity? • Does the action contribute to other jurisdiction goals? • What benefits will the action provide?
Environmental • How will the action affect the environment? • Will the action need environmental regulatory approvals? • Will it meet local and state regulatory requirements? • Are endangered or threatened species likely to be affected? FEMA requires local governments to analyze the benefits and costs of a range of mitigation actions that 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 mitigation activity. Conducting benefit-cost analysis for a mitigation activity can assist communities in determining whether a project is worth undertaking now to avoid disasterrelated damage later. The analysis is based on calculating the frequency and severity of a hazard, avoided future damages, and risk.
A hazard mitigation plan must demonstrate that a process was employed which emphasized a review of benefits and costs when prioritizing the mitigation actions. The benefit-cost review must be comprehensive to the extent that it can evaluate the monetary as well as the nonmonetary benefits and costs associated with each action. The benefit-cost review should at least consider the following questions:
• How many people will benefit from the action?
• How large an area is impacted?
• How critical are the facilities that benefit from the action (e.g., which is more beneficial to protect, the fire station or the administrative building)? • Environmentally, does it make sense to implement this project for the overall community? More details regarding specific funding mechanisms (both internal funding and grant resources) are provided within Table 11-3, Hazard Mitigation Actions, below.
DW DI !ERA VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
11.1.3 HAZARD MITIGATION BENEFIT - COST REVIEW
September 2025 Section l l . Mitigation Strategy
The previous 2019 LHMP identified 50 mitigation actions for the City of Seal Beach. The LHMP Project Management Team reviewed previous mitigation actions from the 2019 LHMP and determined that several listed mitigation actions were completed by the City; these mitigation actions are listed in Table 11-2, with notes regarding action implementation. Because these mitigation actions were completed, these mitigation actions are not carried over into the plan update with the exception of Mitigation Actions P.13 and 1.4, which have been renewed in the LHMP update to expand upon the City’s progress on these projects. The Project Management Team determined that 42 mitigation actions from the 2019 LHMP should be carried over into this Plan update.
Additionally, one mitigation action from the 2019 LHMP was determined to be no longer relevant or too broad in nature and therefore was not carried over into the plan update. The LHMP Project Management Team determined that Mitigation Action 5.5, related to the replacement of exterior building components in favor of “more hazard-resistant materials”, was too broad in nature.
Therefore, this action was deleted in favor of newer, more specific hazard mitigation actions. The remaining mitigation actions were carried over or revised and incorporated into the mitigation actions listed in Table 11-3. 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.
Table 11-2
Completed 2019 LHMP Mitigation Actions
Completed 2019 Mitigation Action Notes
P.1: Update the Seal Beach Emergency
Operations Plan to identify backup power and
communications locations for critical
facilities.
The City updated their EOP in 2023.
Seal Beach Facilities and Transportation Unit
will provide backup generators. Orange
County Fire Authority Station 48 supports
backup communications.
P.2: Identify an alternative operations
location for City departments and other
municipal facilities to ensure continuity of
operations during a disaster.
The City’s updated EOP identifies alternative
City EOC locations & alternative City Hall
Locations.
P.6: Facilitate improved communication
between the City and the Naval Weapons
Station regarding hazardous materials
storage and transport, and enable first
responders to adequately train and prepare
for a potential release of hazardous
materials.
Recent training with the NWS was conducted
by the City on the following dates, covering
numerous scenarios including hazardous
materials spills: 08/2022, 12/2022, 02/2023,
06/2023, 08/2023, 12/2024, 08/2024,
01/2025, 02/2025. Future collaboration has
been scheduled. NWS and Seal Beach PD have
an MOU for law enforcement support.
P.13: Develop a targeted outreach program
for residents living in high-priority hazard
zones that identifies current steps
undertaken by the City to mitigate hazards
and provides guidance to residents on
individual actions they can take.
The City has completed this action and
maintains the Neighbor 4 Neighbor outreach
program and distribution of door hangers.
1.4: Develop a hazard mitigation outreach
program for the City’s residents with
targeted, specific plans for communities and
The City has distributed emergency
information door hangers throughout the
City. A second run of door hangers was just
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
11.1.4 STATUS OF PREVIOUS PLAN ACTIONS
Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
Completed 2019 Mitigation Action Notes
neighborhoods at particular risk such as:
Leisure World, Downtown, College Park East,
and others as the City finds appropriate.
completed to update contact information,
social media accounts, etc. The City will be
printing for use at future community events,
the lobby of PD, City hall, etc.
2.12: Follow up on the implementation of
high-priority, medium-priority, and lowpriority projects laid out in the City’s storm drain master plan.
The City has addressed most of the identified
areas in coordination with MWDOC.
5.3: Ensure the City’s emergency water
connections and agreements are sufficient to
provide a short-term supply during a hazard
event. Inspect the connection infrastructure
to ensure it is resilient to emergency
conditions and retrofit as needed.
The City has ensured that all interconnects
are in operable condition. The City is working
with GSWC on emergency interties along
Lampson
The City of Seal Beach and community partners have initiated and completed a number of preparedness actions outside of hazard mitigation efforts to increase overall City readiness that have helped to reduce hazard risk to the local community. The City embodies the spirit of hazard mitigation into day-to-day activities and in good faith completed the following activities that were not established mitigation actions, but helped to reduce vulnerability in the City of Seal Beach:
• In 2020, the Seal Beach Police Department and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for shared support and services between jurisdictions.
• In 2020, the Leisure World Seal Beach Emergency Preparedness group prepared the “On Your Own” informational guide to help prepare residents in the event of an emergency or disaster.
• In 2022, the City prepared a Cyber Security Incident Response Plan, including the identification of measures to reduce risk and vulnerability to cyberattacks. • In 2022, the City prepared the COVID-19 Event Summary and After-Action report, outlining lessons learned and opportunities to prepare for future pandemics. • In 2022, the Seal Beach Animal Care Shelter prepared an update to the Emergency Plan, including an inventory of emergency supplies, evacuation procedures for both dogs and cats, and drill instructions for staff/volunteer training. • In 2023, the City partnered with the Golden Rain Foundation on the Leisure World Seal Beach Community Resilience Initiative, to identify funding resources to enhance shelterin-place options on Leisure World property. • In 2023, OCFA and Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach entered into a Memorandum of Understanding for shared firefighting support and services. • Finally, on an ongoing basis, the City has updated emergency preparedness and other educational information on the Police Department website over the last five years Many disaster preparedness activities outlined above have informed new mitigation actions to carry forward as part of this LHMP update.
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:
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
11.1.5 ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TAKEN BY SEAL BEACH TO INCREASE READINESS
11.2 HAZARD MITIGATION ACTIONS
September 2025 Section l l . Mitigation Strategy
• Review of the Vulnerability and Risk Assessment presented in Section 4.0, Hazards Assessment;
• Review of the Capabilities Assessment presented in Section 11.3, Capabilities Assessment; • Review of the results of the community survey and feedback received as part of the community outreach; and,
• The LHMP Planning Team’s discussion of concerns/issues that need to be addressed to reduce hazards to critical facilities and the community.
Table 11-3, 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:
• Ongoing: currently in process; or 1-2 years and ongoing thereafter; • Short-Term: 1 to 2 years;
• Medium-Term: 3 to 4 years; and
• 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 regularly 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 11-3, 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.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
Table 11-3
Hazard Mitigation Actions
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority All Hazard and Preparedness Activities
P.1 Establish a network of directional public announcement speakers across the City to ensure all residents, visitors, and socially vulnerable populations are promptly informed of emergency situations and City announcements. Track emerging technology for announcement speakers, including costeffectiveness. These systems should be capable of providing early alerts, warnings, and general notifications. [carried over from the previous plan with revisions]
All Hazards Internal: Police FEMA: Next Generation Warning System Grant Program (NGWSGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF), Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
Staff Time, General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds LongTermMedium
P.2 Explore the feasibility of connecting critical facilities, including City Hall, Police Station, Lifeguard HQ, and community fire stations, to a microgrid power-supply network. [carried over from the previous plan]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External: OCFA
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
SCE: Microgrid Incentive Program (MIP)
LCI: Adaptation Planning Grant Program
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
P.3 Continuously update response procedures and emerging technology for public safety agencies to properly address hazard events as they emerge, including battery storage concerns and associated firefighting. [carried over from the previous plan with revisions]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External: OCFA
FEMA: Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Grant Program
Staff Time, General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds Ongoing Medium
P.4 Install energy-efficient equipment to increase the longevity of the fuel supply for backup generators. [carried over from the previous plan]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External: OCFA
CEC: Distributed Electricity Backup Assets (DEBA) Program DOE: Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
P.5 Maintain a list of alternative fuel suppliers and
develop a partnership with a reliable fuel supplier to contact in case baseline fuel for City-owned first responder vehicles is insufficient during a hazard event. Maintain a call list of reliable vendors to rent portable generators in the case of an emergency. [carried over from the previous plan]
All Hazards Internal: Police, Public
Works
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA - Match
Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
P.6 Renovate the City's secondary EOC (Marine Safety Building) to enhance operational readiness and address evolving humancaused hazards threatening the City. In the short term, upgrade EOC equipment to enhance operational readiness. Evaulate longterm solutions to harden the EOC and repair infrastructure. [carried over from the previous plan with revisions]
All Hazards Internal: Police, Marine
Safety, Public Works
FEMA: Emergency Managemnet Performance Grant (EMPG), Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
General Fund
LongTermMedium
P.7 Ensure that the City has an adequate supply of
sandbags for residents and businesses, including prefilled sandbags for individuals who may be unable to fill them on their own. [carried over from the previous plan]
All Hazards Internal: Public Works DWR: Flood Emergency Response Project Grants Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority P.8 Support Leisure World and Golden Rain Foundation leadership in identifying and constructing additional points of egress for use as emergency evacuation routes out of Leisure World.
Promote awareness of both emergency evacuation and shelterin-place procedures and preparedness for Leisure World residents. [new mitigation action]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External: OCFA, Leisure
World/ Golden Rain
Foundation
Golden Rain Foundation Capital Fund
Staff Time
LongTermHigh
P.9 Coordinate with local and regional public safety agencies on upcoming security and emergency management considerations related to large special events in the Los Angeles metropolitan region, with particular focus on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. [new mitigation action]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External:
Neighboring/Regional
Public Safety Agencies
Staff Time, General Fund ShortTermHigh
P.10 Continue to support Seal Beach Police public safety programming such as Neighbor 4 Neighbor, West County
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Citizens’
Academy and Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) to build community capactiy in hazard mitigation, disaster preparedness and response. [new mitigation action]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External: Neigbhor 4
Neighbor, West County
CERT and RACES
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing High
P.11 Develop alternative egress points for College Park West (CPW) for evacuation purposes; CPW has one egress point, relying on two critical facilities (#87 & #88). The City’s Emergency Services Coordinator will continue working with the community to build awareness around limited egress points and associated shelterin-place procedures, potentially including the development of signage and mapping. [new mitigation action]
All Hazards Internal: Police
External: OCFA, City of
Long Beach
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing High
P.12 Implement findings and recommendations from the Seal Beach Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan. Prioritize bringing City facilities listed as critical facilities into ADA compliance, particularly where the critical facility could provide support services during a disaster. [new mitigation action]
All Hazards Internal: Public Works,
Community
Development,
Community Services and
Recreation
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing Medium
(1) Multiple Hazards
1.1 Conduct routine updates of the Facility Conditions Assessment for City-owned infrastructure, buildings, water pumps, and other utilities and coordinate with other agencies to ensure
inspections of other important infrastructure. Evaluate opportunities for capital improvement projects and upgrades that may be eligible for FEMA HMGP funding. [carried over from the previous plan]
Coastal flooding
and storms,
erosion, fire,
flood, seismic
hazards, severe
weather,
liquefaction
Internal: Public Works,
Police
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
General Fund, Bonds
Ongoing Medium
1.2 Promptly repair all major deficiencies discovered by inspections to prevent collapse, failure, or damage in the event of a natural disaster. [carried over from the previous plan]
Coastal flooding
and storms,
erosion, fire,
flood, seismic
hazards, severe
weather,
liquefaction
Internal: Public Works FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
California iBank: Infrastructure Loans and Bonds
General Fund, Bonds
Ongoing High
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
1.3 Coordinate with Emergency Services and the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (JPIA) to modify existing risk assessment plans, policies, and documents to include hazards of concern identified in this Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. [carried over from the previous plan]
All Hazards Internal: Police, City
Manager
External: Joint Powers
Insurance Authority
General Fund, Bonds Ongoing Medium
1.4 Coordinate with SoCalGas, Golden State Water Company, Rossmoor Community Services District, and other private gas, oil, and water utility companies to harden their lines passing through the city from potential breaches. Encourage adoption of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) to allow instantaneous shut down of line breaches. Use mitigation grants to incentivize agencies to partner with the City to complete projects. [carried over from the previous plan]
Coastal flooding
and storms,
fire, flood,
hazardous
materials release,
seismic
hazards
Internal: Police, Public
Works
External: SoCalGas,
Golden State Water
Company, Rossmoor
Community Services
District, other Utility/Oil
Companies
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
Ongoing High
1.5 Explore the feasibility of forming a Geologic Hazard Abatement District (GHAD) among property owners living adjacent to or within high priority geologic hazard zones (fault rupture, tsunami, coastal erosion, etc.). [carried over from the previous plan]
Erosion, seismic
hazards,
tsunami
Internal: Public Works,
Finance, City Manager
Staff Time, General Fund, Bonds LongTermLow
1.6 Install and harden emergency backup generators at water pump stations, sewer lift stations, city hall, police department, and all other critical facilities as the City may determine necessary. [carried over from the previous plan]
Coastal flooding
and storms,
fire, flood, seismic
hazards, severe
weather,
tsunami
Internal: Public Works FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA - JumpStart
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermHigh
1.7 Encourage the use of porous surfaces on new and significantly retrofitted residential and commercial developments to reduce runoff. [carried over from the previous plan]
Coastal flooding
and storms,
drought, erosion,
flooding
Internal: Community
Development, Public
Works
General Fund, Bonds Ongoing Medium
1.8 Adopt an update to the Seal Beach Safety Element, incorporating the LHMP Update by reference in accordance with AB2140
requirements. Adopt a new Environmental Justice Element to identify policies applicable to socially vulnerable populations within Seal Beach. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Fire,
Hazardous
Materials, Seismic
Hazards and
Climate Change
Impacts
Internal: Community
Development
Staff Time, General Fund ShortTermHigh
(2) Coastal and Flood Hazards (Flood, Coastal Storms, Coastal Flood, Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Erosion, Tsunami, Dam/Reservoir Failure)
2.1 Reconstruct or retrofit critical facilities within the coastal zone to meet a building standard that
ensures resilience to flooding, dam inundation, and tsunamis, such as the ASCE 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated
Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures or other building standard. [carried over from the previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Dam
Inundation, SeaLevel Rise and
Coastal Erosion,
Heavy Rains,
Tsunami
Internal: Public Works FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Cal OES: Prepare CA - JumpStart
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMediunm
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
2.2 Develop a coastal erosion baseline map using GIS technology that will aid future monitoring and development processes. [carried over from the previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Heavy
Rains, Tsunami
Internal: Community
Development, Public
Works
CCC: Local Assistance Grant Program
OPC: SB1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermHigh
2.3 Install and harden emergency backup generators at water pump stations and sewer lift stations within coastal inundation areas.
Ensure that pumps are capable of managing the loads of the 100- year and 500-year flood events. [carried over from the
previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Heavy
Rains
Internal: Public Works
External: OCWD,
MWDOC
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA - JumpStart
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
MediumTermHigh
2.4 Update the City’s Master Plan of Drainage to capture and account for new vulnerabilities related to stormwater management. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Heavy
Rains
Internal: Community
Development, Public
Works
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermHigh
2.5 Coordinate with the City of Los Alamitos on ongoing issues related to stormwater management. Discuss issues related to stormwater backup, including surface water flooding issues off of Lampson in College Park East. Continue to evaluate solutions and seek funding resources. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Heavy
Rains
Internal: Community
Development, Public
Works
External: City of Los
Alamitos
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
CA Water Resources Control Board: Storm Water Grant Program (SWGP) EPA: Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program (OSG) General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermHigh
2.6 Monitor and implement sand replenishment measures for sand berms to ensure coastal protection and mitigate coastal and inland flooding. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Tsunami
Internal: Marine Safety,
Public Works, City
Manager
CA State Parks: Public Beach Restoraction Program, Shoreline Erosion Control Program
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
2.7 Upgrade key water pump stations that have failed or have the potential to fail during a 100- or 500- year flood event. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion,
Dam/Reservoir
Failure, Heavy
Rains
Internal: Public Works
External: OCWD,
MWDOC
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
DWR: Water Management Grants
California iBank: Infrastructure Loans and Bonds
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
2.8 Retrofit critical structures in the coastal zone to elevate them above potential sea level rise projections. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea Level
Rise
Internal: Public Works,
Communtiy
Development
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
California iBank: Infrastructure Loans and Bonds
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
2.9 Coordinate with NOAA to develop communications or outreach programs to inform homeowners in sea level rise inundation areas about ways they can protect themselves and their property from floods, such as purchasing flood insurance. [new
mitigation action]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea Level
Rise
Internal: Police,
Community
Development, Public
Works
External: NOAA
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
US EPA: Environmental Education Grants (EE)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart
Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
2.10 Continue to periodically inspect drainage structures and clean and repair systems as needed. Implement storm drain system improvements as outlined in the Capital Improvement Plan, including the Seal Way Storm Drain Improvements and West End Pump Station Improvements. Remind property owners to maintain private drainage structures in order to ensure full capacity. [carried over from the previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Heavy
Rains
Internal: Public Works DWR: Flood Emergency Response Projects Grants HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Staff Time, Community Facilities Districts, General Fund Ongoing High
2.11 Develop a Water Meter Retrofit Pilot Program to relocate or modify water meters that are currently below the water table. [carried over from the previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion
Internal: Public Works
External: OCWD,
MWDOC
USBR: WaterSMART Grant Program
CA Water Resources Control Board: Small Community Drinking Water (SCDW) Funding, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF)
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
2.12 Coordinate a program with county, state, and relevant federal agencies to keep all drains and culverts clear of debris to reduce the potential risk of flooding. [carried over from the previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion, Heavy
Rains
Internal: Public Works
External: County, state,
and federal agencies
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing Medium
2.13 Work with property owners that generate, store, or dispose of hazardous materials in the 100-year and 500-year flood zones to ensure facilities are adequately flood proofed/protected. [carried over from the previous plan]
Flood, Coastal
Storms, Coastal
Flood, Hazardous
Materials Spill,
Heavy Rains
Internal: Police,
Community
Development
External: OCFA
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
2.14 Continue coordination with the California Coastal Commission to approve and certify a Local Coastal Program (including Land Use Plan and Implementation Plan) for the Seal Beach Coastal Zone, including policy that reduces risk and vulnerability to coastal hazards. [new mitigation action]
Flood, Sea-Level
Rise and Coastal
Erosion
Internal: Communtiy
Development
External: California
Coastal Commission
CCC: Local Assistance Grants
Staff Time, General Fund
ShortTermHigh
2.15 Update the City’s Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment once every ten years, in accordance with California Coastal
Commission requirements for Coastal Act compliance. [new mitigation action]
Sea-Level Rise
and Coastal
Erosion
Internal: Community
Development
External: California
Coastal Commission
CCC: Local Assistance Grants
Staff Time, General Fund
LongTermMedium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
2.16 Continue to participate in emergency preparedness exercises for regional dams, including Whittier Narrows and Santiago Creek Dam. Support dam owners in efforts to regularly reassess dam inundation exposure and vulnerability, especially where critical facilities intersect with dam inundation zones. Support efforts to track dam conditions, maintenance and other structural
improvements to reduce risk and vulnerability. [new mitigation action]
Dam/Reservoir
Failure
Internal: Police Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing Medium
2.17 Maintain tsunami warning and educational signage within the hazard zone in Seal Beach. Consider expanding signage including evacuation instructions in neighborhoods ast risk, particularly College Park West where limited egress points exist for evacuation purposes. Continue outreach and awareness
campaigns about risk and vulnerability within the hazard zone. [new mitigation action]
Tsunami Internal: Police FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
(3) Landslide
3.1 Evaluate the feasibility of a maintenance plan for Gum Grove Park and surrounding private property to mitigate potential landslides and surface sloughing in the Park due to erosion. [new mitigation action]
Landslide Internal: Community
Services, Community
Development, Public
Works
Staff Time, General Fund LongTermLow
Priority
(4) Seismic Hazards (Fault Rupture/Ground Motion, Liquefaction)
4.1 In coordination with Caltrans, conduct a facilities condition assessment for bridges along evacuation routes to identify bridges that need seismic retrofitting. Consider pursuing highest standard improvement options (e.g., replacement instead of retrofitting) for bridges with seismic deficiencies. [carried over from the previous plan]
Fault
Rupture/Ground
Motion,
Liquefaction
Internal: Public Works
External: Caltrans
DOT: Bridge Investment Program (BIP), Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants Program CTC: Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account (LBSRA)
General Fund
Ongoing High
4.2 Encourage the installation of seismically appropriate piping for new or replacement pipelines, in close coordination with local water, natural gas, and other providers. [carried over from the previous plan]
Fault
Rupture/Ground
Motion,
Liquefaction
Internal: Public Works FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
California iBank: Infrastructure Loans and Bonds
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
Ongoing Medium
4.3 Pursue ground improvement projects, such as constructing a high strength capping layer, soil mixing, stone columns, soil wicks, chemical and pressure grouting, and other soil
improvement techniques that reduce liquefaction susceptibility in the event of an earthquake. [carried over from the previous plan]
Fault
Rupture/Ground
Motion,
Liquefaction
Internal: Public Works FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
Ongoing Medium
4.4 Conduct a seismic safety assessment on all City-owned critical infrastructure. Focus audits on potable water, sewer and life guard structures/buildings in need of seismic retrofits. [new mitigation action]
Fault
Rupture/Ground
Motion,
Liquefaction
Internal: Community
Development, Marine
Safety, Public Works
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermMedium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
4.5 Promote earthquake insurance coverage for local residents, increasing public awareness of insurance options to reduce seismic vulnerability. Continue to promote the Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) retrofit program. [new mitigation action]
Fault
Rupture/Ground
Motion,
Liquefaction
Internal: Community
Development, Police
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart
CEA: Earthquake Brace + Bolt (EBB) Program
Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
4.6 Continue to partner with SoCal Gas on earthquake mitigation activities, tracking the upcoming installation of SoCal Gas methane detection sensors off of Lampson Avenue and along Gate Road. [new mitigation action]
Fault
Rupture/Ground
Motion,
Liquefaction
Internal: Police
External: SoCal Gas
Staff Time, General Fund MediumTermMedium
(5) Extreme Weather Hazards (Drought, Extreme Heat, Heavy Rains, Santa Ana Winds and Tornadoes, Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
5.1 Collaborate with the Orange County Water District (OCWD) and Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), to pursue water efficiency best practices to reduce water demand and the need for imported water as feasible. [carried over from the previous plan]
Drought Internal: Public Works
External: OCWD,
MWDOC
USBR: WaterSMART Grant Program
LCI: Adaptation Planning Grant Program
US EPA: Environmental Education Grants (EE)
Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
5.2 Develop a focused water leak pilot program to
eliminate leaky water mains, sprinklers, and other water fixtures, focusing on areas of the City with the greatest water demand. [carried over from the previous plan]
Drought Internal: Public Works
External: OCWD,
MWDOC
USBR: WaterSMART Grant Program
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
LCI: Adaptation Planning Grant Program
Staff Time, General Fund
LongTermMedium
5.3 Encourage xeriscaping, low-flow water fixtures, and daytime watering restrictions on properties throughout the City to reduce water consumption. [carried over from the previous plan]
Drought Internal: Public Works HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program MWDOC: Water Rebates
DWR: Water Use Efficiency Grants
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermLow
5.4 Expand use of public facilities (libraries, community centers, etc.) as cooling centers for vulnerable populations during extreme heat events, and assess facility needs in order to automatically open these facilities as cooling centers when temperatures exceed approximately 90 degrees. Expand public awareness of such resources to socially vulnerable populations, such as senior citizens. [carried over from the previous plan] Extreme Heat Internal: Community
Services, Police
LCI: Adaptation Planning Grant Program, Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
Staff Time, General Fund, Proposition 4 Funding
Ongoing Medium
5.5 Explore feasibility for undergrounding utility lines whose poles that could blow over during a severe wind event. [carried over from the previous plan]
Santa Ana Winds
and Tornadoes
Internal: Public Works
External: SoCal Edison
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
DOE: Grid Resilience Grants
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
LongTermLow
5.6 Implement a tree-planting program to diversify tree age and increase shaded areas in the City to reduce the effects of extreme heat events. [carried over from the previous plan]
Extreme Heat Internal: Public Works LCI: Adaptation Planning Grant Program, Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program
USDA: Urban and Community Forestry Program
Staff Time, General Fund, Proposition 4 Funding
Ongoing Medium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
5.7 Promote passive cooling design (brise soleil, long roof overhangs, locating windows away from southern facades, etc.) in new developments during the design review process. [carried over from the previous plan]
Extreme Heat Internal: Community
Development
LCI: Adaptation Planning Grant Program, Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program
HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
General Fund, Community Facilities Districts, Bonds
Ongoing Medium
5.8 Continue to partner and collaborate with SoCal Edison to bolster grid hardening strategies, mitigate the impacts of power loss, and promote community awareness in the event of power
outages. [new mitigation action]
Public Safety
Power Shutoff
(PSPS)
Internal: Police, Public
Works
External: SoCal Edison
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
SCE: Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) Program, Energy Assistance Fund (EAF) HUD: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program
General Fund
Ongoing Medium
5.9 Promote SoCal Edison’s Critical Care Backup Battery Program to supply elderly or medical device-dependent residents with battery-powered backup generators for medical equipment in Leisure World. Support community awareness and education campaigns faciliated between SCE and Leisure World to enhance preparedness and reduce risk. [new mitigation action]
Public Safety
Power Shutoff
(PSPS)
Internal: Community
Services, City Manager
External: SoCal Edison,
Leisure World
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart, Prepare CA – Match
Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
(6) Human-Caused Hazards (Hazardous Materials Spill, Terrorism/Cyberattacks, Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest, Pandemic)
6.1 Pursue full alignment with policies and actions outlined in state and regional plans such as the California Accidental Release Prevention (CalARP) Program and the Orange County Fire
Authority Hazardous Materials Area Plan. [carried over from the previous plan]
Hazardous
Materials
Internal: Police
External: CalEPA, OCFA
US DOT: Hazardous Materials Safety Inspection Grant (HMSI) Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
6.2 Continuously inspect businesses and other properties storing hazardous materials. Create an inventory of old storage units that require updates, maintenance, or renovation. [carried over from the previous plan]
Hazardous
Materials
External: OCFA, Orange
County Health Care
Agency
FEMA: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (RLF)
US DOT: Hazardous Materials Safety Inspection Grant (HMSI) Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart
Staff Time, General Fund
Ongoing Medium
6.3 Engage in regional coordination and emergency preparedness related to the nearby Alamitos Energy Center (formerly AES Alamitos), considering risks from both natural gas and battery engery storage systems. Participate in training excersises and maintain lines of communications. Utilize best-available data to mitigate local vulnerabilities, with consideration for nearby socially vulnerable populations (Leisure World). [new
mitigation action]
Hazardous
Materials
Internal: Police
External: City of Long
Beach Police, Fire and
Disaster Preparedness;
OCFA
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing Medium
6.4 Coordinate with regional partners through the Orange County Operational Area to enhance communcation and intelligence for political/social instances that could result in civil distrubance, terrorism, or cyberattacks. [new mitigation action]
Terrorism/
Cyberattacks, Civil
Disturbance/ Civil
Unrest
Internal: Police
External: Orange
County Sheriff’s
Department,
neighboring
jurisdictions
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing Medium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
Action # Description Hazards
Adressed Responsible Agency Funding Sources Timeline Priority
6.5 Continue to communicate with Orange County Department of Public Health and follow the most recent guidance to address future pandemic and planning. [new mitigation action]
Pandemic Internal: Police
External: Orange
County Department of
Public Health
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing Low
(7) Wildfire and Urban Fire Hazards (Wildfire and Urban Fire, Wildfire Smoke)
7.1 Promote the proper maintenance and separation of power lines and efficient response to fallen power lines. [carried over from the previous plan]
Wildfire and
Urban Fire,
Wildfire Smoke
Internal: Public Works,
Police
External: OCFA, SoCal
Edison
Staff Time, General Fund Ongoing High
7.2 Continue regular fuel modification projects to reduce fire hazard risks, such as clearing out dead vegetation in parks, open spaces, right-of-way embankments, and other areas that could become fuel for fires, such as within Gum Grove Park and surrounding neighborhoods. [carried over from the previous plan]
Wildfire and
Urban Fire,
Wildfire Smoke
Internal: Public Works,
Community
Development
External: OCFA
CAL FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants
Staff Time, General Fund, Proposition 4 Funding
Ongoing High
7.3 Promote the planting of fire-resistant landscaping in all new developments and significant landscape retrofits in accordance with CAL FIRE recommendations, such as high-moisture,
lowresin trees, shrubs, and ground cover. [carried over from the previous plan]
Wildfire and
Urban Fire,
Wildfire Smoke
Internal: Community
Development, Public
Works
External: OCFA
CAL FIRE: Wildfire Prevention Grants
Staff Time, General Fund, Proposition 4 Funding
Ongoing Medium
7.4 Provide information, education, and resources to residents citywide related to communications and early warning in the event of a wildfire, including ways to improve resilience to home fires. [carried over from the previous plan]
Wildfire and
Urban Fire,
Wildfire Smoke
Internal: Police
External: OCFA
FEMA: Next Generation Warning System Grant Program (NGWSGP) Cal OES: Prepare CA – JumpStart
US EPA: Environmental Education Grants
Staff Time, General Fund, Proposition 4 Funding
Ongoing Medium
DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
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DRAFT DEUBERAi VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 11. Mitigation Strategy
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 Seal Beach to reduce damage from hazard events, providing a foundation to develop, consider, and prioritize future hazard mitigation measures.
The City of Seal Beach has resources to support the implementation of mitigation actions including:
• Planning and regulatory capabilities are based on the implementation of ordinances, policies, local laws, and State statutes, and plans and programs that relate to guiding and managing growth and development.
• Administrative and technical capabilities refer to the 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. • Financial capabilities are the resources that a jurisdiction has access to or is eligible to use to fund mitigation actions.
• Education and outreach capabilities are programs and methods already in place that could be used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information.
Refer to Table 11-4, City of Seal Beach Capabilities Assessment below for a summary of City capabilities.
Table 11-4
City of Seal Beach Capabilities Assessment
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
Planning and Regulatory
General Plan and
Zoning Code
Planning Division The City’s General Plan supports the
implementation of the LHMP by integrating
hazard mitigation strategies into broader land
use and development planning. The General Plan
provides a policy framework, allocates resources
and facilitates implementation of mitigation
strategies and risk reduction. The City’s Zoning
Code also provides a framework for guiding land
use in development in ways that minimize risk
from natural hazards.
Local Coastal
Program
Planning Division The City’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) is a policy and regulatory document that establishes land
use, development, natural resource protection,
coastal access, and public recreation policies for
the City of Seal Beach in a manner consistent with
the Coastal Act within the Coastal Zone. The City’s
LCP is currently being drafted and will reflect
current City conditions in collaboration with the
California Coastal Commission and is associated
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE
11.3 CAPABILITIES ASSESSMENT
11.3. l KEY RESOURCES
Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
with the hazard mitigation strategies outlined in
the LHMP.
Cyber Security
Incident Response
Plan
Seal Beach Police
Department
The City’s 2022 Cyber Security Incident Response
Plan is designed to be utilized in conjunction with
the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and is
designed to contain recommendations to guide
the City’s response to the cyber security threats
outlined within the LHMP.
Naval Weapons
Station Seal Beach
Joint Land Use
Study
Naval Weapons
Station Seal Beach
(NWSSB)
The Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) identifies key
issues related to existing land use within the JLUS
Study Area, consisting of the Naval Weapons
Station, and proposed strategies to address these
concerns. The JLUS is divided into three
components: JLUS Background Report, JLUS
Report, and the Executive Summary Brochure,
and its land use considerations are directly
applicable to those identified within the LHMP.
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.
Jurisdictional
Runoff
Management Plan
Public Works &
Utilities
Departments
The Seal Beach Jurisdictional Runoff
Management Program (JRMP) details the Citywide 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
Seal Beach Police
Department
/Orange County
Fire Authority
The Tsunami Response Plan Playbook outlines
critical information and necessary decisionmaking steps in the event of a tsunami affecting the planning area. The Playbook also includes a
quick-reference page for real time response
activities.
Unified County of
Orange and
Orange County
Orange County
Sherriff’s
Department
The Unified County of Orange and Orange County
Operational Area Tsunami Annex outlines
estimated tsunami risk to the Orange County
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section l l . Mitigation Strategy
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
Operational Area
Tsunami Annex
/Orange County
Fire Authority
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.
Floodplain
Management
Ordinance
Community
Development
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 Seal Beach 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.
Municipal 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
Public Works
Department
Seal Beach’s Water Conservation ordinance
establishes mandatory and permanent water
conservation activities for all Seal Beach
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
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
Conservation ordinance can be used to develop
this Plan’s drought mitigation actions.
Administrative and Technical
Police Services Seal Beach Police
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 Seal Beach. 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.
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
Seal Beach to ensure it meets all applicable laws
and ordinances and complies with all hazardrelated 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 Seal Beach Planning Commission meets as
needed 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 and make recommendations related
to new land use policies, ensuring that
developments are in accordance with mitigation
actions.
City Council City Council The Seal Beach City Council is composed of five Council Members. The City Council meets twice a
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section l l . Mitigation Strategy
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
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 Department also provides risk
management, human resources services to City
departments, as well as a variety of State
compliance and general administrative activities.
Finance
Department staff
Finance
Department
The purpose of the Finance Department is to
provide staff support to internal departments,
assure financial accountability to the public, and
to provide customer service to both internal and
external clientele. Although the Finance
Department does not implement mitigation
actions, the department plays an important role
in facilitating 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
Department
The Public Works Department is responsible for
building and maintaining Seal Beach’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.
Community
Development
Department Staff
Community
Development
Department
The Community Development Department
performs a variety of services intended to
improve the built environment and the quality of
life for current and future residents, businesses,
and visitors. The Department is composed of
Planning, Building and Safety, and Code
Enforcement.
Community
Services
Department staff
Community
Services
Department
The Community Services Department strives to
create community through various programs and
recreational activity to the benefit of local
residents. Community Services manages the
programming of community facilities and parks,
provides transportation options for seniors, and
oversees special event permitting.
Human Resources
Staff
City Manager
Department
The Human Resources division includes
administration of the City's benefits programs;
maintenance of personnel records for the City’s
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
employees; ensuring compliance with State and
Federal employment mandates; coordination of
employee safety and workers’ compensation
programs; disciplinary and grievance
procedures; interpretation and implementation
of the Memoranda of Understanding with
employee bargaining units; and recruitment,
selection, hiring, and orientation of all new
employees.
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.
Republic Services
Staff
Republic Services The City contracts with Republic Services to provide trash, recycling, and green waste
collection for all City residents and commercial
businesses. Additionally, commercial businesses
are provided with food scraps collection to
ensure compliance with state and local law. 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 Seal
Beach 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.
Southern
California Gas
Staff
Southern California
(SoCal)l Gas
SoCal Gas provides natural gas service in Seal
Beach. Mitigation actions specific to the provision
of this service will be implemented in
coordination with SoCal Gas. 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.).
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
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section l l . Mitigation Strategy
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
important part of the City’s budget. The FY
2023/2024 budget presents numerous capital
improvement projects with expenditures totaling
over $24 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 two grant
programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
(HMGP) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Grant. 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. 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 moderateincome persons. The program is authorized under Title 1 of the Housing and Community
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
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. Seal Beach is
not an entitlement community, but instead is a
sub-recipient of funds through the County of
Orange. The City must apply through a
competitive process to fund capital projects
through CDBG.
Education and Outreach
American Red
Cross
Coordination with
Seal Beach Police
/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
Seal Beach
Police/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 (as
related to hazard
mitigation and
public safety)
Seal Beach Police
Department
The website provides news and announcements
to the community, including community events
related to safety and emergency preparedness
and mitigation. The Emergency Preparedness
Page of the Seal Beach Police website outlines the
four phases of the emergency management cycle,
resources for developing an emergency
preparedness kit, access to City documents such
as the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and
Evacuation Plan, the City’s Neighbor 4 Neighbor
program, and connections to local alert and
warning systems such as AlertOC and Nixle. The
City also posts reminders about annual
preparedness events such as The Great Shakeout
and Tsunami Preparedness Week. 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.
Environmental
Response to Oil
Coordination with
California
Environmental Response to Oil Spills (EROS) is a
FREE in-person course provided to new oil spill
responders, consisting of demonstrations,
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section l l . Mitigation Strategy
Ordinance/Plan/
Policy/Program
Responsible
Agency or
Department
Description/Comments
Spills (EROS)
Course
Department of Fish
& Wildlife
lectures by experienced response personnel, case
studies, and interactive field trips. This free
course is available to Seal Beach staff.
How can these capabilities be expanded upon and improved to reduce risk? Multiple mitigation measures are priority projects to expand Seal Beach’s capabilities, including new plans and programs. Examples of opportunities to expand capabilities include the following mitigation actions:
Planning/Regulatory: Mitigation Actions 1.8, 2.4, 2.14, 2.15 Administrative/Technical: Mitigation Actions 1.7, 2.2, 3.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 Financial: Mitigation Actions 2.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.5, 5.9
Education/Outreach: Mitigation Actions P.1, P.10, 2.9, 2.16, 5.4, 6.3 City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE Section 1 1 . Mitigation Strategy September 2025
• Renewed focus on efforts to complete established mitigation actions.
• Renewed emphasis on continuous public involvement
throughout the planning horizon of the LHMP.
This section identifies the formal process by which that City can ensure the LHMP remains an active and relevant document for the City of Seal Beach. 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 Seal Beach Police and Community Development Department staff), the LHMP Planning Team will be responsible for the ongoing 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:
• City Manager Department
• Police Department
• Community Development Department
• Marine Safety Department
• Public Works Department
• Finance Department
• Community Services Department
• Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA)
WHAT'S DIFFERENT IN THE 2025 PLAN?
SECTION 12: PLAN MAINTENANCE
12.1 PURPOSE OF THE LHMP AND AUTHORITY
. ~ ~ ·-- ~ ~NJ)•
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:
• City of Long Beach
• City of Los Alamitos
• City of Westminster
• City of Huntington Beach
• City of Cypress
• City of Garden Grove
• Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station
• Joint Forces Training Base
• Los Alamitos Unified School District
• Orange County Sheriff’s Department
• Orange County Fire Authority
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
• Water Emergency Response Organization of Orange County • Orange County Water District
• Southern California Edison
• SoCal Gas
• Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA)
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 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:
• Summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their impacts on the community.
• Review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in the Plan. • Brief discussion about why targeted mitigation strategies were not completed. • Reevaluation of the mitigation actions to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs to be amended (such as changing a long-term project to a short-term project due to funding availability).
• Recommendations for new mitigation actions.
• Changes in, or potential for, new funding options/grant opportunities. • Integration of new GIS data and maps that can be used to inform the Plan.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE
12.1.1 EVALUATION
Section 12. Plan Maintenance September 2025
• 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:
• A state or presidential disaster declaration that impacts the City. • 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.
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 Seal Beach City Council will adopt the updated LHMP.
I
!
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ~ 12.2 METHOD AND SCHEDULE FOR UPDATING THE PLAN WITHIN FIVE YEARS
12.2. l PROCESS
September 2025 Section 12. Plan Maintenance
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:
• Has the nature or magnitude of hazards affecting the City changed? • Are there new hazards that have the potential to impact the City? • Do the identified goals and actions address current and expected conditions? • Have mitigation actions been implemented or completed? • Has the implementation of identified mitigation actions resulted in expected outcomes? • Are current resources adequate to implement the LHMP? • Should additional local resources be committed to address identified hazards? 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.
Cal OES and FEMA are responsible for initial review and approval of the LHMP. After the plan check review process concludes, the Seal Beach 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 Seal Beach Police Department has taken on the responsibility for overseeing the Plan’s implementation and maintenance through the City’s existing programs. The Emergency Services City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
12.3 LOCAL ADOPTION
12.4 IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH EXISTING PROGRAMS AND
PLANNING MECHANISMS
DRi\1 DE,IBERA, IVE
Section 12. Plan Maintenance September 2025
Coordinator, or designated appointee, will assume lead responsibility for facilitating LHMP implementation and maintenance meetings. Although City of Seal Beach Police 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:
• What hazard and/or vulnerability information should be considered and/or integrated into this plan?
• Are there opportunities for this plan to support and/or implement mitigation actions? • What mitigation actions can and should be integrated into this plan? • Are there other community mechanisms that mitigation can be integrated? • 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 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.
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 12. Plan Maintenance
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 the Golden Rain Foundation/Leisure World, Lions Club, and Save Our Beach. Expansion of community capacity and education programs is discussed in Table 11-4 in the previous section.
The City was successful in implementing several mitigation actions from the 2017 LHMP, as outlined in Section 11.0. Overall, the City strives to maintain a culture of preparedness and ongoing hazard mitigation. The findings of the 2019 LHMP were used to inform multiple City planning documents, such as the City’s 2020 Water Shortage Contingency Plan, 2022 Cyber Response Plan, and the 2022 COVID-19 After Action Report.
In addition to the mitigation activities promoted and completed by the City, the City of Seal Beach has demonstrated a commitment to hazard mitigation and resilience through a variety of emergency management projects, policies, and programs. See Section 11.0 for full details on the City’s ongoing commitment to emergency management and preparedness in addition to its hazard mitigation efforts. 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 colocated 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 11.0 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.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan DRA DE,IBERA IVE
12.5 2019 LHMP PAST INTEGRATION EFFORTS
12.6 CONTINUED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
Section 12. Plan Maintenance September 2025
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.
Brian Gray, Police Sergeant, Emergency Services Coordinator City of Seal Beach
911 Seal Beach Bl.
Seal Beach, CA 90740
[email protected]
DW1 DI lERA1:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
12.7 POINT OF CONTACT
September 2025 Section 12. Plan Maintenance
2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics,
https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?q=DP03%20Selec ted%20Economic%20Characteristics%20san%20bernardino
%20county&g=050XX00US06059_160XX00US0670686,
accessed January 8, 2025.
2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, DP04 Selected Housing Characteristics,
https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP04?q=DP04%20Selec ted%20Housing%20Characteristics%20&g=050XX00US06059
_160XX00US,0670686, accessed January 8, 2025.
2023 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, S1101
Households and Families,
https://data.census.gov/table/ACSST5Y2023.S1101?q=S1101:%20Ho useholds%20and%20Families&g=050XX00US06059_160XX00
US0670686, accessed January 8, 2025.
ABC 7, Weather, https://abc7.com/high-surf-warning-seal-beachorange-county-floodingrisk/14248347/, published December 30, 2023, accessed December 26, 2024.
ABC 7, Long Beach residents struggle without AC during SoCal heat wave,
https://abc7.com/post/southern-california-heat-wave-bringschallenges-long-beach-residents-ac/15271186/, published September 5, 2024, accessed December 30, 2024.
ABC 7, Sinkhole forms in parking lot of Seal Beach restaurant after high surf causes flooding,
https://abc7.com/seal-beach-restaurant-sinkhole-orange-countyhigh-surf/14260406/, published January 3, 2024, accessed December 3, 2024.
Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Dam Failures and Incidents, https://damsafety.org/dam-failures, accessed December 24, 2024.
Barnes, Rachel, Smoke Advisory Issued in Seal Beach Due to Multiple Nearby Fires,
https://patch.com/california/losalamitos/smoke-advisory-issuedseal-beach-due-multiple-nearby-fires, accessed December 24, 2024.
SECTION 13: REFERENCES
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Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, Puente Hills Blind-Thrust System, Los Angeles California,
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Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, The Wilmington Blind-Thrust Fault: An Active Concealed Earthquake Source beneath Los Angeles, California, https://hcbf.org/wpcontent/uploads/2019/09/The-Wilmington-Blind-Thrust-Fault-cmplt-Franklin-D.- Wolfe-17-pgs..pdf, published 2019, accessed December 27, 2024.
Cal OES, 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan, https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/Hazard-Mitigation/Documents/2023-California-SHMP_Volume1_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed December 30, 2024.
Cal OES, 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, chromeextension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.caloes.ca.gov/wpcontent/uploads/Hazard-Mitigation/Documents/2023-California-SHMP_Volume1_11.10.2023.pdf, accessed January 8, 2025.
Cal OES, Hazardous Materials Spill Report,
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Cal OES, Hazardous Materials Spill Report,
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California Air Resources Board, Air Monitoring Sites, https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/applications/airmonitoring-sites-interactive-map, updated 2024, accessed December 27, 2024.
California Climate Adaptation Strategy, Summary of Projected Climate Change Impacts on California,
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California Department of Conservation, 2023 California Landslide Response, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/landslides/2023, accessed December 30, 2024.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ;RA, T DH,BrRAT1V1 Section 1 3. References September 2025
California Department of Conservation, Alquist-Priolo Earthquake Fault Zones, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/alquist-priolo, accessed December 26, 2024.
California Department of Conservation, The 1933 Long Beach Earthquake, https://www.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/earthquakes/long-beach, accessed December 30, 2024.
California Department of Public Health, Isolation Q&A,
https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Covid-19/Isolation-QA.aspx, accessed January 8, 2025.
California Department of Public Health, Landslides and Mudslides, https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/EPO/Pages/BI_Natural-Disasters_Landslides-andMudslides.aspx#:~:text=Landslides%20are%20caused%20by%20disturbances,soaked %20rock%2C%20earth%20and%20debris, accessed December 30, 2024.
California Department of Water Resources, California’s Most Significant Droughts: Comparing Historical and Recent Conditions, https://cawaterlibrary.net/document/californiasmost-significant-droughts-comparing-historical-and-recent-conditions-2/, February 2015, accessed April 29, 2025.
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California Energy Commission, Statewide Operational Substations, https://www.energy.ca.gov/search/site?keys=SUBSTATIONS, accessed January 8, 2025.
CBS News, High tides flood streets and parking lots in seal beach, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/high-tides-floods-streets-and-parkinglots-in-seal-beach/, updated May 18, 2023, accessed December 31, 2024.
CBS News, Seal Beach businesses, residents cope with aftermath of flooding, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/orange-county-sees-rain-during-storm/, updated February 2, 2024, accessed January 6, 2025.
CBS News, Winter storm: Heavy wind, snow in Southern California, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/live-updates/winter-storm-heavy-wind-rainand-snow-in-southern-california/, published February 25, 2023, accessed December 31, 2024.
CBS News, Heavy Rain Causes Major Flooding in Long Beach, Seal Beach, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/flooding-long-beach-seal-beach/, published January 16, 2019, accessed January 7, 2025.
CBS News, New restaurant, Beach House, in Seal Beach flooded as storm approaches Orange DWl DI lERAl:VE City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan September 2025 Section 13. References
County, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/new-restaurant-beach-house-inseal-beach-flooded-as-storm-approaches-orange-county/, published September 9, 2022, accessed December 26, 2024.
CBS News, Seal Beach businesses, residents cope with aftermath of flooding, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/orange-county-sees-rain-during-storm/, updated on February 2, 2024, accessed December 26, 2024.
CDC, Lesson 1: Introduction to Epidemiology, Section 11, https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/csels/dsepd/ss1978/lesso n1/section11.html, accessed December 27, 2024.
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 January 8, 2025.
CDC, Past Pandemics, https://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic-resources/basics/pastpandemics.html, accessed January 8, 2025.
CDC, How Wildfire Smoke Affects Your Body, https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfiresmoke/default.htm, published April 19, 2024, accessed December 27, 2024.
City of Seal Beach General Plan, Land Use Element,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Land%20Use%20Element.pdf, adopted 2003, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Press Release, Heavy Rain, Wind, Surf, and Cold Expected, https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/NewsHighlights/City%20of%20S eal%20Beach%20Press%20Release%20-
%20Heavy%20Rain,%20Wind,%20Surf,%20and%20Cold%20Expected.pdf, released February 21, 2023, accessed January 6, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Press Release, The City of Seal Beach Announces 2024 Winter Sand Berm Construction,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Public%20Works/Press%20Rele ase%20-%202024%20Berm%20Construction.pdf, published October 4, 2024, accessed January 7, 2025.
City of Seal Beach, 2021 - 2029 Housing Element,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/6th%20Seal%20Beach%20Housi ng%20Element_Adopted-compressed.pdf?ver=2022-02-10-091549-117, adopted February 7, 2022, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach, About Seal Beach, https://www.sealbeachca.gov/About-Seal-Beach, accessed January 10, 2025.
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ;RA, T DH,BrRAT1V1 Section 1 3. References September 2025
City of Seal Beach, City of Seal Beach Fire Services,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Departments/Fire, accessed January 9, 2024.
City of Seal Beach, Cyber Security Incident Response Plan, published April 2022, accessed April 29, 2025.
City of Seal Beach, General Plan Safety Element,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Safety%20Element.pdf, accessed January 8, 2025.
City of Seal Beach, Housing Element 2021 – 2029,
https://www.sealbeachca.gov/Portals/0/Documents/6th%20Seal%20Beach%20Housi ng%20Element_Adopted-compressed.pdf?ver=2022-02-10-091549-117, accessed January 13, 2025.
City of Seal Beach, Local Hazard Mitigation Plan,
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City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan ;RA, T DH,BrRAT1V1 Section 1 3. References September 2025
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
City of Seal Beach
LHMP Purpose and Requirements
What is Hazard Mitigation?
Any sustained action taken to reduce or
eliminate long-term risk to people and
property from natural hazards and their
effects
Updated FEMA
Guidance 2023
Seal Beach LHMP
Update 2025
Seal Beach LHMP
Update 2019
Project Background
Deliverable: Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Update 2025 – 2030
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Requirements
✓ Provide and document opportunities for stakeholder and public involvement
✓ Review and incorporate existing plans, studies, reports, and technical information
✓ Document how the plan was prepared and who was
involved
✓ Identify how the plan will be monitored, evaluated, and updated within a five-year cycle
Establishes eligibility for FEMA Hazard
Mitigation Grant Funding; maximum grant
awards $50 million
End Product:
Final LHMP, approved by Cal OES and FEMA
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
LHMP Development
• Type, location,
extent
• Previous
occurrences
• Probability of
future events
• SVP Impacts
Hazard Profiles Vulnerability
Assessment
Mitigation
Strategies
• Impacts of
hazard
• Vulnerability to
each hazard
• SVP Vulnerability
• Repetitive loss
• Potential dollar
losses
• Overarching
goals
• Specific actions
• SVP actions
• Prioritize actions
• Who, what,
when, how
much
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Hazards Identification
LHMP Hazards List
• Coastal Hazards
• Flood
• Coastal Storms/Flood
• Sea Level Rise and Erosion
• Tsunami
• Dam/Reservoir Failure
• Extreme Weather Hazards
• Drought
• Extreme Heat
• Heavy Rain
• Santa Ana Wind and Tornado
• Power Outage
• Landslide Hazards
• Seismic Hazards
• Fault Rupture
• Ground Shaking
• Liquefaction
• Wildfire and Urban Fire Hazards
• Human-Caused Hazards
• Hazardous Materials Spill
• Terrorism/Cyberattacks
• Civil Disturbance/Civil Unrest
• Pandemic
Illustrative hazard
maps show critical
facilities within
mapped hazard
zones.
The vulnerability
assessment
identifies
development and
populations within
mapped hazard
zones.
Mitigation Strategy
Mitigation Strategy • Comprehensive range of
mitigation actions and projects • Emphasize existing and new infrastructure
• Types of Mitigation Actions • Local plans and regulations • Structural and infrastructure projects • Natural systems protection • Education and awareness programs 19 Natural and Human-Caused
Hazards included in LHMP
54 Mitigation Actions to
address hazard vulnerability 7
Completed Mitigation
Actions from 2019 LHMP
Hazard
Mitigation Action
Matrix
• Mitigation
Action
• Hazards
Assessed
• Responsible
Department
• Funding
Sources
• Timeline
• Priority
Mitigation Strategy
Vulnerable Populations
• Seniors aged 65 and older
• Children under age 18
• Unemployed or below federal poverty threshold
• Persons with disabilities
• Persons with high pollution burden
• Tourists or visitors
Access and Functional Needs
Individuals who require additional assistance
before, during, and after an emergency for
temporary or permanent conditions.
Mitigation Strategy Funding Sources
California Proposition 4
• $10 billion for safe
drinking water, wildfire
protection, climate
projects
Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program (FEMA)
• $800 million in hazard
mitigation post-LA
wildfires
Source: Public Policy Institute of California
Community Outreach
33 7
Stakeholder Meetings
Internal and External
Stakeholders
14 Day Public Comment Period
4 Community Outreach Meetings
Community Outreach Summary:
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Sgt. Brian Gray presenting at Seal
Beach Chamber of Commerce
Leisure World Workshop
Car Show Pop-Up Booth
City of Seal Beach Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
226
Responses
Gathered!
LHMP Adoption
LHMP Adoption
• City Council adopts the LHMP.
• Documentation of adoption provided
to FEMA.
• FEMA issues approval letter.
• Eligibility established for FEMA grant
funding.
• City staff moves toward plan and
mitigation action implementation.
Thank You!