Ukiah City Council
September 2, 2026

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• Building Damages:
o Maacama Fault – 3,049 buildings with at least moderate damage (8% of total buildings in the region). 8 buildings will incur damage beyond repair. Multi-family dwellings and single-family homes are the most vulnerable to impacts. o North San Andres Fault - 462 buildings with at least moderate damage (1% of total buildings in the region). No buildings will incur damage beyond repair.

Single-family homes and commercial buildings are the most vulnerable to impacts.

4.8.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Mendocino County’s natural, historic, and cultural resources are highly vulnerable to earthquake damage, with effects that go far beyond just structural harm. Landslides and ground shaking can destroy forests, rivers, and delicate coastal habitats, disrupt ecosystems and threaten rare species. Historic buildings and landmarks, many of which were built before modern seismic standards, face an increased risk of collapse or permanent damage, erasing irreplaceable links to the region’s history. Cultural sites, including indigenous heritage locations, museums, and community gathering places, may also be damaged or lose artifacts, weakening the shared identity and traditions of local communities. The combined impact of these issues not only diminishes the county’s environmental and historical richness but also makes it more challenging to preserve and honor Mendocino’s unique legacy for future generations.

4.8.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• Power outages and loss of communication are significant concerns. • Lack of seismic shut-off valves on gas meters in some county-owned facilities. • Older construction and specifically unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings. • There is a need to retrofit or replace older county bridges and critical infrastructure. • Buildings permitted as “Class K” structures under the building code are at high risk from a seismic event.
• Unknown vulnerabilities exist within county buildings related to unsecured contents and non-structural elements.

4.8.7 Future Trends in Development
Future development is not anticipated to increase vulnerability to this hazard. As all new development is required to meet the latest state codes, growth will reduce the overall vulnerability exposure ratio to seismic events.

4.8.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
Mendocino County is situated along the active boundary between the Pacific and North American tectonic plates, making future earthquakes highly probable. It is intersected by several key fault lines, such as the San Andreas Fault, increasing the risk of both moderate and severe quakes. While predicting the exact timing or strength of specific earthquakes remains

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difficult, historical records and geological studies indicate that Mendocino County will continue to face a recurring earthquake threat. According to the CA E-SHMP, earthquakes large enough to cause moderate damage to structures, those of 5.5 magnitude or larger, occur three to four times a year statewide. Strong earthquakes of 6 to 6.9 magnitude strike on average once every two to three years. Major earthquakes of 7 to 7.9 magnitude occur in California about once every 10 years.

The probability of earthquake events is based on the approximate location of earthquake faults within and outside the Mendocino County region. According to USGS data, and shown in FIGURE 23, both the San Andreas Fault and the Maacama Fault have a 19% to 25% probability of occurrence of a 6.7 magnitude event within 30 years. The probability of a future earthquake event is highly likely.

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Figure 23 30-Year Earthquake Probability

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4.8.9 Climate Change Impacts
Earthquakes result from the movement of tectonic plates and are unaffected by surface weather or climate. Therefore, climate change is unlikely to influence future earthquakes' frequency, location, or severity. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) states, "most quakes occur deep beneath Earth’s surface, well out of reach of surface temperature and conditions. Moreover, the statistical distribution of earthquakes remains roughly consistent across different weather conditions."16 However, according to the CA E-SHMP, climate change can increase the risk of secondary or cascading earthquake-related hazards. In particular, landslide hazards will be affected by rising temperatures that can cause soil breakdown, allowing more water to enter soils and impacting erosion rates and sediment control, thus increasing the likelihood of landslides. Climate change studies also indicate the possibility of more frequent heavy, intense rainstorms, leading to erosion and a higher probability of landslides.

4.9 Extreme Cold or Freeze

4.9.1 General Background
According to the 2023 California Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan (CA E-SHMP), extreme cold events occur when temperatures drop well below the normal range in an area. Depending on what is normal, this may mean temperatures around the freezing point (32°F) or below 0°F.

Freeze events occur when temperatures remain below freezing for a sustained period.

4.9.2 Past Events
Since 1970, Mendocino County has been included in one state emergency proclamation and one federal disaster declaration for freeze events. In addition to these declarations, the county has been included in six USDA Secretary of Agriculture Designations for freezing temperatures.

Between 2016 and 2024, the county received 228 advisories, warnings, and watches for cold weather, freeze, or frost (FIGURE 24). The most common cold weather alert received is a Frost Advisory (139 alerts), which means areas of frost are expected or occurring, posing a threat to sensitive vegetation (FIGURE 25).
17 The County received the most alerts in 2022, with 60 specific to cold weather.
16 NASA SCIENCE. “CAN CLIMATE AFFECT EARTHQUAKES, OR ARE THE CONNECTIONS SHAKY?”. OCTOBER 29, 2019 17 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE, UNDERSTANDING COLD WEATHER ALERTS.

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Figure 24 Type of Cold Weather Alerts Received 2016-2024 Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM) NWS Watch/Warning/Advisory Database Figure 25 Number of Cold Weather Alerts Received, 2016-2024 Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM) NWS Watch/Warning/Advisory Database 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Cold Weather Advisory
Freeze Warning
Freeze Watch
Frost Advisory
Hard Freeze Warning
Hard Freeze Watch
# of Alerts
Type of Alerts
Cold Weather Alerts Received, 2016-2024
0 10
20 30
40 50
60 70
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
# of Events
Year
Number of Cold Weather Alerts By Year

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4.9.3 Location
Mendocino County is diverse in topography and elevation, so extreme cold events differ between the coastal and inland communities. Overall, the county's annual minimum temperature is 44°F. FIGURE 26 shows the varying average minimum temperatures countywide.

4.9.4 Severity
The National Weather Service (NWS) issues various types of cold-weather alerts. • Extreme Cold Warning: An Extreme Cold Warning is issued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are expected or occurring. • Freeze Warning: A Freeze Warning is issued when temperatures are forecasted to go below 32°F for a long period of time. This temperature threshold kills certain types of commercial crops and residential plants, while temperatures below 28°F for an extended period can also kill most types of commercial and residential plants. • Extreme Cold Watch: Be Prepared. An Extreme Cold Watch is issued when extremely dangerous cold conditions or wind chill values are possible, but the occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain.
• Freeze Watch: A Freeze Watch is issued when there is a potential for significant, widespread freezing temperatures within the next 24-36 hours. A Freeze Watch is issued in the autumn until the end of the growing season and in the spring at the start of the next growing season.
• Cold Weather Advisory: Be Aware. A Cold Weather Advisory is issued for dangerously cold conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria. • Frost Advisory: A Frost Advisory means areas of frost are expected or occurring, posing a threat to sensitive vegetation.

Past events show that Mendocino County has received cold-weather alerts and can expect future occurrences.

In 2001, the National Weather Service (NWS) implemented an updated Wind-Chill Temperature index (FIGURE 27). The wind chill is not a direct temperature measurement; this index was developed to describe the relative discomfort/danger resulting from the combination of wind and temperature. Wind chill is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, lowering skin temperature and internal body temperature, thereby increasing the likelihood of severe injury or death to exposed persons and animals.

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Figure 26 Average Minimum Temperatures

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Figure 27 NWS Wind Chill Temperature Index

4.9.5 Secondary Hazards
Although extreme cold or freeze events are rare in Mendocino County, they can still cause freeze-thaw cycles that may lead to large-scale earth movements, especially along the 101 and the 1. Occasionally, these cold events are accompanied by winter weather precipitation, such as snow in higher elevations and heavy rain in lower areas of the county.

4.9.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.9.6.1 Community Lifelines
Extreme cold and freeze events can significantly impact community lifelines and critical facilities throughout Mendocino County. Prolonged periods of subfreezing temperatures may cause water lines to freeze and burst, disrupt power supply due to increased energy demand, and potentially damage energy infrastructure, and hinder transportation networks through icy roads or hazardous driving conditions. Emergency services can face delays as response times are affected by poor road conditions and increased incident rates. At the same time, healthcare facilities may experience increased admissions related to cold exposure, especially among vulnerable populations. Even brief freeze events can threaten the functionality of essential services.

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4.9.6.2 People
Extreme cold and freeze events pose considerable risks to the health and well-being of people across Mendocino County. Prolonged exposure to low temperatures can lead to hypothermia and frostbite, particularly among vulnerable groups such as older adults, young children, and those experiencing homelessness or inadequate heating in their homes. Individuals with chronic health conditions may find their symptoms exacerbated, while those who rely on medication stored at specific temperatures could be at additional risk if power outages occur.

Disruptions to transportation and emergency services may delay medical care, intensifying health outcomes for those in need. Furthermore, cold snaps often coincide with increased energy usage as households strive to maintain safe indoor temperatures, potentially resulting in higher utility costs and energy insecurity for lower-income residents. Social isolation can also become a concern, as hazardous travel conditions keep people indoors and reduce access to community resources or support networks.

4.9.6.3 Structures
Extreme cold and freeze events can cause significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Water pipes, especially those located in uninsulated or poorly heated areas, are susceptible to freezing and bursting, leading to costly repairs and water loss. Roofs and exterior walls may experience added stress from ice accumulation, while energy systems can be overwhelmed as buildings require increased heating to maintain safe indoor temperatures. Repeated freezethaw cycles can weaken structural materials such as concrete, brick, and asphalt, resulting in cracks, potholes, and deterioration of roads, bridges, and foundations. In addition, the strain on electrical systems from heightened demand may put older or poorly maintained structures at greater risk for outages or fire hazards.

4.9.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Extreme cold and freeze events can profoundly affect Mendocino County’s natural, historic, and cultural resources. Sensitive ecosystems may experience disruption as native plants and wildlife struggle to survive in subfreezing temperatures, with frost capable of damaging delicate vegetation, impacting pollinators, and altering habitats. Waterways may experience reduced flow or even freezing, affecting aquatic life and the broader ecological balance. Historic buildings and cultural landmarks, often constructed with materials vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles, can suffer from accelerated deterioration—cracks in masonry, shifting foundations, and water intrusion—threatening the preservation of irreplaceable sites that embody the region’s heritage.

The county’s agricultural industries are also particularly susceptible to the impacts of extreme cold, with vineyards and wine grape production facing significant risks. Grapevines, while resilient to some degree, are highly vulnerable to late spring frosts that can damage emerging buds or shoots, drastically reducing yields and, in severe cases, threatening the long-term viability of the vines. Sudden freezes during the growing season can compromise fruit quality,

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leading to uneven ripening or loss of entire crops. Cold snaps can disrupt soil health, affect irrigation systems, and increase the costs and complexity of frost protection measures, such as wind machines or heaters. These agricultural impacts ripple through the local economy, as wine production is both a cultural touchstone and an economic driver for the county, making resilience to extreme cold a priority for sustaining both livelihoods and the region’s cultural identity.

4.9.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• Crop losses and impacts to the agricultural sector and regional economies. • The county has observed freeze events occurring during more inopportune seasons than were previously experienced.

4.9.7 Future Trends in Development
Future development is not anticipated to impact vulnerability to this hazard.

4.9.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
It is important to recognize that Mendocino County’s coastal areas typically experience fewer extreme cold days than its inland communities. Inland regions, which are farther from the ocean's moderating influence, tend to experience greater temperature fluctuations and more frequent and severe freeze events, whereas coastal zones generally benefit from milder conditions year-round. The probability of extreme cold or freeze events for the county overall is Highly Likely (events occurring every 1-10 years).

4.9.9 Climate Change Impacts
Climate change can make extreme cold and freeze events in Mendocino County more unpredictable. Shifts in atmospheric patterns may bring sudden cold spells to Northern California, even after warmer weather. These unexpected freezes can damage crops like grapevines and fruit trees if they bud early, affecting local agriculture and the economy.

Freeze events, especially during winter droughts, stress native plants and increase wildfire risk.

Historic buildings and cultural sites are more vulnerable to damage from erratic temperature swings and freeze-thaw cycles.

Overall, climate change increases uncertainty and risk from cold extremes.

4.10 Extreme Heat

4.10.1 General Background
Extreme heat is defined as temperatures that are 10 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or more above the average high temperatures for a region for several days or weeks.18 Different high temperatures indicate extreme heat for the different regions of the county. Coastal 18 2023 CALIFORNIA ENHANCED STATE HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

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communities tend to be cooler compared to the inland communities. Ukiah's average maximum temperature during the summer months (June, July, August) is 92°F, while Fort Bragg on the coast has an average maximum temperature of 65°F during the summer. An extreme heat day for Mendocino on the coast is 86°F, while inland communities such as Covelo and Redwood Valley have it at 102°F.19 Although coastal areas experience less extreme heat than inland regions, any above-average temperature can still threaten unprepared residents and infrastructure.

4.10.2 Past Events
The NCEI Storm Events Database has only one record of a past excessive heat event in July 2002. The event is described as a record-setting heat over three consecutive days. Ukiah set a then record on July 10th of 110°F, and Laytonville recorded 111°F during the same event.

The county has an average of four extreme heat days per year.20 According to temperatures recorded at the Ukiah Municipal Airport, the longest heat wave was 58 consecutive days with a maximum temperature above 90°F recorded between June 24, 2021, and August 20, 2021.

Ukiah's daily extreme high temperature was 117°F on July 6, 2024 and also in September 2022.

The City of Fort Bragg on the coast reached 91°F on October 5, 1987, the city's highest daily extreme high temperature, which is significantly higher than the average high temperature for the same time of year, which is 55°F.

During the plan update process, multiple heat advisories were issued for Mendocino County in May and August of 2025 for temperatures over 100 degrees for the inland communities (FIGURE 28).

4.10.3 Location
The whole county is at risk of extreme heat events. Urbanized areas may experience even more intense heat due to limited airflow, reduced vegetation, and increased waste heat, resulting in temperatures several degrees higher than those in rural or less developed regions. This phenomenon is known as the urban heat island effect. FIGURE 29 shows the varying average maximum temperatures throughout the county.
19 MENDOCINO COUNTY CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT, MARCH 2021 20 MENDOCINO COUNTY CLIMATE VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT, MARCH 2021

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Figure 28 May 2025 and August 2025 Heat Advisories21
Source: Mendocino Voice, National Weather Service
21 HTTPS://MENDOVOICE.COM/2025/05/HEAT-ADVISORY-MAY-28-2025/ HTTPS://MENDOVOICE.COM/2025/08/HEAT-ADVISORY-ISSUED-FOR-INLAND-MENDOCINO-COUNTY/

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Figure 29 Average Maximum Temperatures

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4.10.4 Severity
The severity of an extreme heat event depends on factors beyond just weather; exposure level, building types, and cooling options influence danger. Vulnerable groups, such as construction or farm workers, face higher risks even at moderate temperatures.

When issuing alerts on extreme heat, the NWS uses the heat index to indicate the apparent temperature, which is how hot it feels based on humidity combined with air temperatures. The Heat Index table (FIGURE 30) assumes shady conditions with a light wind.

Figure 30 National Weather Service Heat Index
The NWS HeatRisk is an experimental tool that forecasts the potential risk level for heat-related impacts over a 24-hour period and up to seven days. The forecast uses a color-numeric-base index to illustrate the level of risk and identify groups that may be more at risk and the actions that can be taken to mitigate the impacts of heat (FIGURE 31). The HeatRisk forecast (FIGURE 32) takes into consideration how unusual the heat is for the time of year, the duration of the heat, including both daytime and nighttime temperatures, and if those temperatures pose an elevated risk of heat-related impacts based on data from the CDC.22 22NWS HEATRISK

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Figure 31 National Weather Service HeatRisk Index
Figure 32 HeatRisk Forecast
At the state level, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment developed a similar tool, the California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System (CalHeatScore), to raise public awareness of extreme heat impacts. CalHeatScore is a statewide public health tool that provides daily ZIP code-level heat risk scores from 0 (low). CalHeatScore reflects how unusual the heat is for a specific location and the historical relationship between heat and heat-related

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illness. The tool supports local decision-making by highlighting when heat conditions may result in elevated health impacts and by providing locally relevant safety guidance and resources.

Figure 33 CalHeatScore Value and Impact Levels
Source: CalHeatScore https://calheatscore.calepa.ca.gov/ *Increased risk estimates are based on an analysis conducted using emergency department visit data from summer months (i.e., May to October) of 2016-2018. The general applicability of these results may be limited.

Together, the Heat Index, NWS HeatRisk, and CalHeatScore provide a multi-layered assessment of extreme heat severity in Mendocino County, linking meteorological conditions with anticipated health impacts and community vulnerability.

The highest extreme heat temperatures experienced in the inland areas of the county are 117°F on July 6, 2024, in the City of Ukiah, and for the coastal areas, it is 91°F on October 5, 1987, in the City of Fort Bragg.

4.10.5 Secondary Hazards
Extreme heat is associated with various secondary hazards and cascading impacts beyond elevated temperatures. Prolonged heat waves can intensify drought conditions by accelerating evaporation and placing stress on water resources, which may increase the likelihood and severity of wildfires as vegetation becomes drier.

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4.10.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.10.6.1 Community Lifelines
Extreme heat events can increase the likelihood of power outages, affecting the energy supply.

Critical facilities and community lifelines experience operational disruptions due to power failures. The severity of these impacts depends on repair times and how quickly normal operations resume. High temperatures may also trigger public safety power shutdowns to prevent electrical fires, which can interrupt vital services such as communication, healthcare, and cooling. In urban areas, the urban heat island effect exacerbates these issues, elevating health risks and putting more pressure on emergency and energy systems.

4.10.6.2 People
Extreme heat presents serious risks to human health and well-being, especially for vulnerable groups such as older adults, young children, outdoor workers, and people with preexisting health conditions. Extended exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat exhaustion, heatstroke, dehydration, and worsen cardiovascular and respiratory problems. People without proper cooling, due to housing insecurity, power outages, or limited resources, are at greater risk of severe health issues. Additionally, extended heat waves can strain healthcare systems, boost emergency room visits, and hit low-income communities and urban areas hardest, where the heat island effect raises temperatures further.

4.10.6.3 Structures
Extreme heat can weaken structures and built environments. Extended exposure to high temperatures may cause asphalt, concrete, and roofing parts to deteriorate faster, resulting in cracks, warping, or surface softening. Buildings and infrastructure not designed for continuous heat can face failures in insulation, cooling systems, and electrical parts, increasing the risk of indoor overheating and mechanical failures. Additionally, transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and railways may suffer damage from thermal expansion, potentially disrupting mobility and emergency responses.

4.10.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Extreme heat can have significant impacts on Mendocino County’s natural, historic, and cultural resources. Prolonged high temperatures may stress local ecosystems, increasing the risk of drought, vegetation die-off, and heightened wildfire susceptibility. Sensitive habitats and species, including vineyards, could be threatened by altered water availability and heat-related stressors, while the county’s historic and cultural landmarks may face accelerated deterioration. Materials used historically and often found in historic structures such as wood, stone, or paint may degrade more rapidly, and outdoor artifacts or sites may be at increased risk from both heat and related hazards like fire or smoke.

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4.10.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• There is an opportunity for the County land use code to include incentives for new development to implement landscaping that provides more shade and lessens the urban heat island effect.
• Socially vulnerable and unhoused populations are at the highest risk.

4.10.7 Future Trends in Development
Future development may increase the county’s overall vulnerability, depending on whether the new construction incorporates climate control for high temperature events. All future development should consider the potential impacts related to extreme heat and how the growth is positively or negatively influencing this hazard.

4.10.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
The likelihood of extreme heat events happening in Mendocino County each year is expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. Historically, the county has typically experienced about four days of extreme heat annually. Importantly, these events do not occur equally across the area. Inland communities like Ukiah, Willits, Covelo, and Redwood Valley are forecasted to experience more frequent and severe heat days compared to coastal regions such as Fort Bragg, Point Arena, and Mendocino, where the Pacific Ocean’s moderating effect lessens the frequency and severity of heat events. Consequently, residents and infrastructure in inland areas will likely face a disproportionate share of the impacts. The probability of an extreme heat event in the county is annual.

4.10.9 Climate Change Impacts
The Mendocino County Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report indicates that by the middle of the 21st century (2040-2070), the county is expected to experience between 7 and 19 extreme heat days annually, up from a historical average of 4 days. By the end of the century, this number could rise to an average of 15 to 35 extreme heat days per year. Temperature increases will impact the local economy, especially the agricultural and outdoor recreational industries.

High temperatures impact the growth of wine grapes by causing late or irregular blooming and affecting yields. The following figure from the Mendocino County Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report shows the frequency of extreme heat days in three census-designated communities in the county.

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Figure 34 Frequency of Extreme Heat Days in the Communities of Mendocino, Covelo, and Redwood Valley
Source: Mendocino County Safety Element Update, Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report, March 2021

4.11 Flood (Inland)

4.11.1 General Background
Inland flooding encompasses several types of flood events, including riverine flooding, flash flooding, localized flooding, and alluvial fan flooding. According to the California Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan (CA E-SHMP):
• Riverine flooding occurs when rivers, streams, or lakes overflow their banks. It often results from excessive rainfall and runoff that accumulates over broad, flat areas. This type of flooding can affect large regions and may last from several hours to weeks, depending on the severity of the event.
• Flash flooding is a sudden and intense flood event, usually triggered by heavy rainfall over a short period. It often strikes low-lying areas with little warning and can be extremely destructive, moving large boulders, uprooting trees, and damaging or destroying buildings and infrastructure. Flash floods may also result from the failure of human-made structures and can reach dangerous depths of 30 feet or more. • Localized flooding typically happens when heavy rain overwhelms stormwater drainage systems. Water can back up and pool in streets, yards, and even the lower levels of buildings. This type of flooding can occur even during less severe storms, especially when debris or sediment clogs storm drains.
• Alluvial fan flooding occurs on fan-shaped landforms built up by sediment carried from higher elevations. This type of flooding is especially unpredictable, with fast-moving,

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shallow water carrying soil and debris across irregular paths, making it difficult to forecast the exact flow direction and impact areas.

Atmospheric rivers are the primary driver of major floods in the county, which are not directly driven by medium & long-term climatic cycles.

4.11.2 Past Events
The NCEI Storm Events database tracks riverine and flash flood events from 1996 through April 2025. During this period, there have been 76 recorded occurrences in Mendocino County. The highest number of flood events in the county occurred in 2002 and 2022, with 12 events reported in each year, as illustrated in FIGURE 35 below. In contrast, no significant flood events were recorded between 2006 and 2015.

Figure 35 Inland Flood Event by Year (1996-2024)
Source: NCEI
Of these, two events resulted in fatalities or substantial financial losses. Detailed narratives for each significant event are presented below.
• December 29, 2005: Between December 18 and the end of the month, a series of strong Pacific storm systems with a subtropical moisture tap brought widespread flooding and damage to Northern California. Total rainfall ranged from 12 to 20 inches, with flooding beginning in earnest around December 28. Significant impacts were felt across

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Humboldt, Del Norte, and Mendocino Counties, particularly in the Klamath and Russian River basins, where homes, infrastructure, and agricultural lands were severely affected.

Landslides were a major consequence, causing tens of millions of dollars in damage to roads in Humboldt, Mendocino, Trinity Counties, and tribal lands. Additionally, the storm series included coastal flooding and a damaging wind event, with gusts up to 97 mph and combined damages estimated at $4.9 million. Overall, flood, landslide, wind, and coastal impacts resulted in extensive damage.
• December 15, 2016: In mid-December, a strong atmospheric river brought widespread rainfall to Northwest California, causing significant flooding and landslides along the coast. Three counties declared a local state of emergency, with damages totaling several million dollars. In Fort Bragg, the Pudding Creek Dam overtopped, resulting in damage to both the dam and a primary water main serving the city.

Narratives for recent flood events that prompted federal disaster declarations and affected Mendocino County are provided below.
• 2023 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides DR-4699-CA: This event followed more atmospheric river storms that started on February 21, 2023, which worsened earlier storm damage in Mendocino County. Continued heavy rainfall and strong winds caused flooding in low-lying communities, falling trees that damaged homes and power lines, and numerous roadway blockages and landslides throughout the county’s mountainous terrain. Emergency crews responded to flooding along smaller creeks and drainage systems and cleared debris from transportation corridors connecting coastal communities such as Mendocino, Fort Bragg, and inland communities, including Ukiah and Willits. The storms further weakened already saturated slopes and damaged drainage infrastructure, resulting in repeated road closures and ongoing debris removal operations. Federal disaster assistance was provided to support response costs, infrastructure repairs, and hazard mitigation measures to reduce future storm-related risks.
• 2023 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides EM-3591-CA: This was the first in a series of emergency declarations associated with powerful atmospheric river storms affecting California. In Mendocino County, the storm system brought intense rainfall, high winds, and saturated soils, resulting in widespread downed trees, power outages, localized flooding, and debris-blocked roadways.

Emergency responders conducted protective actions, including clearing fallen trees from transportation routes, stabilizing flood-damaged infrastructure, and addressing drainage failures in rural communities. The emergency declaration authorized federal assistance to support emergency protective measures and supplement county and state response operations while the storms were still ongoing.
• 2023 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides EM-3592-CA: Another severe storm system that impacted Mendocino County beginning March 9, 2023,

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following months of heavy winter precipitation. Already saturated soils and weakened slopes increased the likelihood of landslides and debris flows, particularly in mountainous areas and along rural transportation corridors. The storm caused additional flooding, downed trees, and roadway hazards across the county, leading to temporary road closures and emergency response efforts to clear debris and protect critical infrastructure. Federal emergency assistance supported local efforts to stabilize infrastructure, respond to flooding hazards, and protect public health and safety amid ongoing storm impacts.

Additionally, the Core Planning Team highlighted a major flood event that occurred on December 12–21, 2025, which had county-wide impacts. Heavy rain from an atmospheric river led to an extended flood warning throughout Mendocino County and widespread disruption:
floodwaters submerged streets and low-lying areas in Willits, resulting in sections of East Commercial Street being closed and officials warning drivers to stay away from flooded roads.

In Ukiah, city crews were busy clearing drains and putting up warning signs as several areas experienced flooding, with authorities advising caution as 1–3 inches of rain fell through Monday.23 Meanwhile, the storm caused closures and hazards on major highways — parts of Highway 1 near Point Arena and near Westport were closed, as shown in FIGURE 36 or had oneway traffic control due to a sinkhole, and State Highways 128 and 175 also faced flooding issues.24
23 NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE EXTENDS MENDOCINO COUNTY FLOOD WARNING INTO MONDAY MORNING • THE MENDOCINO VOICE | MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA 24 THE LATEST: HIGHWAY 1 OPEN AFTER WEEKEND STORM CLOSURES • THE MENDOCINO VOICE | MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA

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Figure 36 Gasker Slough Flooding Over State Highway 1 Near Point Arena Source: The Mendocino Voice

4.11.3 Location
Inland flooding in Mendocino County primarily affects low-lying areas near rivers, streams, and floodplains. Major flood-prone locations include land along the Russian River and its tributaries around south Ukiah and Hopland, low-lying zones east of Willits, and Highway 128 between Philo and Navarro.. The Ukiah Valley, shaped by the Russian River, is particularly vulnerable during severe storms when the river can overflow its banks, impacting areas such as The Forks, Calpella, and Talmage. Tributaries like Orr, Doolin, Gibson, and others also pose flood risks to nearby residential areas, especially where development has increased runoff.

Inland floods often occur within floodplains, which are low-lying areas adjacent to rivers, streams, or creeks that naturally collect and carry excess water during heavy rainfall events.

These areas are especially vulnerable to flooding because they are part of the river's natural overflow path. Floodplains help absorb and slow floodwaters, but development in these zones increases the risk of damage to property and infrastructure when flooding occurs.

A map of these floodplains within the county is provided in FIGURE 37 below. Additionally, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has mapped Flood Awareness Zones to highlight flood risks not covered by FEMA, helping residents better understand local hazards.

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Figure 37 Inland Flood Risk Areas in the County of Mendocino

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4.11.4 Severity
Flood severity is commonly described using terms like “100-year flood” (or an area with a 1% annual chance of flooding), and “500-year flood” (or an area with a 0.2% annual flood risk), which indicate statistical probabilities rather than actual intervals between occurrences. A 100- year floodplain includes areas that have a higher probability of experiencing flood events and is often subject to regulations intended to reduce risk and damage. While 100-year floods can cause significant impacts, 500-year floods may result in more extensive effects due to their rarity and intensity. Minor flooding may lead to short-term disruptions, whereas severe floods, such as 100- or 500-year events, can affect homes, infrastructure, and agricultural land. In some cases, like flash floods, there can be loss of life and recovery may require extended periods.

4.11.5 Secondary Hazards
In Mendocino County, secondary hazards associated with flooding have historically compounded the impacts of major storm events, leading to significant additional losses.

Notably, past flood events have triggered a dam incident and landslides. One key example includes the overtopping and damage of the Pudding Creek Dam, which disrupted critical infrastructure such as the City of Fort Bragg’s water supply. Landslides are a recurrent hazard in the region’s steep, rain-saturated terrain and have caused extensive damage to roads, homes, and utilities. Furthermore, heavy rainfall following wildfires poses an even greater risk, as burned areas lack the vegetation needed to stabilize soil, increasing the likelihood of fastmoving and destructive debris flows.

4.11.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.11.6.1 Lifelines
Inland floods can significantly impact critical infrastructure by damaging roads, bridges, utilities, and public facilities. Floodwaters can wash out transportation routes, disrupting emergency response and daily commutes. Utility systems such as water treatment plants, power lines, and communication networks may be compromised, leading to service outages and public health risks. Additionally, flooding can overwhelm stormwater and sewage systems, causing backups and contamination.

A summary of the Lifeline analysis for FEMA-designated flood hazard areas (100-year and 500- year floodplains) is presented below:
• Safety and Security: 6 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 8 location in the 500-year floodplain
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: 2 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 2 locations in the 500- year floodplain
• Health and Medical: 3 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 3 locations in the 500-year floodplain
• Energy: 5 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 6 locations in the 500-year floodplain

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• Communications: 0 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 0 locations in the 500-year floodplain
• Transportation: 162 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 170 locations in the 500-year floodplain
• Hazardous Materials: 0 locations in the 100-year floodplain, 1 location in the 500-year floodplain
• Water Systems: 1 location in the 100-year floodplain, 2 locations in the 500-year floodplain
Additionally, the community lifeline system analysis identified approximately 110.9 miles of assets located in the 100-year floodplain, and 119.7 miles of assets in the 500-year floodplain. It is important to note that disruptions at any point along these systems have the potential to result in cascading impacts.

Transportation:
• Airport Runway (0 miles in the 100-year, 0 miles in the 500-year) • Railroad (69.4 miles in the 100-year, 73.1 miles in the 500-year) • Highway (37.2 miles in the 100-year, 41.3 miles in the 500-year) Energy:
• Powerline (11.0 miles in the 100-year, 12.5 miles in the 500-year) • Transmission Line (24.1 miles in the 100-year, 25.8 miles in the 500-year) • Natural Gas Pipelines (0 miles in the 100-year, 1.9 miles in the 500-year) A summary of the community lifeline analysis for flood hazard areas (flood awareness zones) is presented below:
• Safety and Security: 1 location
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: 1 location
• Health and Medical: 0 locations
• Energy: 0 locations
• Communications: 0 locations
• Transportation: 65 locations
• Hazardous Materials: 0 locations
• Water Systems: 0 locations
Additionally, the community lifeline system analysis identified approximately 38.6 miles of assets located in the state’s defined flood-awareness areas, which are broken down by system type below. It is important to note that disruptions at any point along these systems have the potential to result in cascading impacts.

Transportation:
• Airport Runway (0 miles)

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• Railroad (15.2 miles)
• Highway (20.2 miles)
Energy:
• Powerline (1.5 miles)
• Transmission Line (1.7 miles)
• Natural Gas Pipelines (0 miles)

4.11.6.2 People
Inland floods pose serious risks to human health and safety by increasing the potential for injuries, drowning, and exposure to contaminated water. Floodwaters can carry harmful bacteria, chemicals, and sewage, leading to waterborne diseases and respiratory issues.

Flooding can also disrupt access to medical care and emergency services, especially if roads and transportation are blocked. Additionally, the stress and displacement caused by flooding can have lasting mental health effects on affected individuals and communities.

4.11.6.3 Structures
Inland floods can cause significant damage to buildings, including homes and businesses, through water intrusion, structural weakening, and mold growth. Floodwaters can inundate lower floors, damaging walls, floors, electrical systems, and personal property. Prolonged exposure to moisture can lead to costly repairs and create unhealthy living or working conditions. Flooding may also disrupt business operations, resulting in financial losses and economic hardship for communities.

TABLE 13 and TABLE 14 summarize the total parcel value and count exposed to flood hazard areas in the County of Mendocino.

Table 13 Parcels Exposed to Flood Hazards (100-Year and 500-Year Floodplains) Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Commercial 425 $114,469,397 $181,987,110
Industrial 183 $35,039,283 $91,394,316
Institutional 73 $5,676,997 $52,671,853
Miscellaneous 240 $3,549,796 $1,176,323
Residential 3,476 $364,342,571 $506,612,584
Rural 2,835 $238,737,188 $214,588,760
No Data 490 $15,716,923 $12,535,739
100-Year
Floodplain Total
7,722 $777,532,155 $1,060,966,685
Commercial 716 $202,295,756 $359,788,342
Industrial 333 $74,756,372 $181,921,118

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Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Institutional 118 $10,095,811 $100,793,631
Miscellaneous 292 $4,950,895 $1,194,697
Residential 4,926 $501,006,479 $769,990,343
Rural 3,286 $299,174,221 $292,200,573
No Data 678 $23,691,585 $19,838,028
500-Year
Floodplain Total
10,349 $1,115,971,119 $1,725,726,732
Source: The County of Mendocino Assessor’s Office and GIS Department Table 14 Parcels Exposed to Flood Hazards (Flood Awareness Zones) Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Commercial 40 $8,066,906 $14,361,976
Industrial 33 $7,055,046 $29,861,906
Institutional 16 $2,055,882 $4,860,250
Miscellaneous 47 $62,220 $0
Residential 825 $71,624,380 $70,038,572
Rural 1,534 $113,677,205 $95,208,438
No Data 136 $5,831,614 $5,008,571
Total 2,631 $208,373,253 $219,339,713
Source: The County of Mendocino Assessor’s Office and GIS Department

4.11.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Inland flooding in Mendocino County can pose significant risks to natural, historic, and cultural resources. Floodwaters can erode or damage sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands and riparian habitats, which are vital for local biodiversity. Historic buildings, archaeological sites, and culturally significant landmarks may also be threatened by flooding, leading to structural damage, loss of artifacts, and degradation of irreplaceable heritage.

4.11.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• Buildings permitted as “Class K” structures under the building code could be at a higher risk of flood events.
• The Noyo Harbor area experiences flooding from high river flows and high tides accompanied by storm surges that can impact county roads and infrastructure. • The Russian River (E of Ukiah) routinely floods, affecting county infrastructure and roads.

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• Heavy rains could create localized flooding issues around county infrastructure including buildings and roads, posing a threat to buildings and creating hazardous travel conditions.
• Regular flooding is a known issue in the following areas: Hopland (residents on the east side of the river can become isolated), Highway 101 and Highway 1 (Garcia River), Mill Creek, and Highway 128 along the Navarro River.
• Access problems for schools due to flooded roads, impacting transportation and the ability to receive food and supplies.
• Power outages and loss of communication (internet, phone lines) during storms are significant concerns.
• Heavy rain events create localized flooding issues, including pooling of water around the foundations of school facilities.

4.11.7 Future Trends in Development
The county would prefer that any new development be located outside of mapped floodplains, to ensure the county’s collective risk to flooding is not increased. Both FEMA and the state have mapped floodplains to inform planning.

The county’s land-use regulation (Title 17) explicitly mentions: “The creation of building sites in areas where topography, flooding, or other factors will prevent safe, orderly, and beneficial land development.” Restricting or regulating development in identified floodplains is a capability that the county has.

4.11.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
The County of Mendocino faces an annual risk of flooding, typically caused by winter or spring rainfall, though heavy summer rains can also contribute. However, damaging flood events occur less frequently. The Pacific high-pressure system increases storm activity, bringing rain at lower elevations and snow higher up, and is a key factor in severe flooding during the winter months.

In Northern California, there is little correlation between precipitation and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation pattern.

4.11.9 Climate Change Impacts
Climate change is expected to affect how and when it rains. We may see heavier and more sudden rainstorms, even in places where total yearly rainfall goes down. This can change how floods happen, depending on how hard it rains and how saturated the soil is. Warmer temperatures mean the air can hold more moisture, which can cause stronger rainstorms and increase flood risk. On the other hand, long dry periods can make the soil soak up more water during gentle rains, which might lower the chance of flooding. However, dry and compacted

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soils have the potential to increase runoff and cause flash flooding during periods of heavy rainfall.25

4.12 Mass Earth Movements: Landslides, Rock Falls, & Debris Flows

4.12.1 General Background
Mass earth movements, including landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows, are natural hazards involving the downslope movement of rock, soil, and debris under the influence of gravity.

These events can vary widely in speed, scale, and impact. Intense rainfall, earthquakes, wildfire damage to vegetation, or human activities such as excavation, grading, and development on unstable slopes often trigger mass earth movements. Due to its diverse topography and geologic conditions, Mendocino County is particularly susceptible to these hazards in many areas.

The California Geological Survey (CGS) classifies landslides based on the type of material involved and the manner of movement, which may include falls, topples, slides, spreads, and flows.
• Falls involve free-falling rock or soil from steep slopes. • Topples occur when blocks of material rotate forward and fall. • Slides involve movement along a defined surface; these may be rotational (curved) or translational (planar).
• Spreads occur when loose, water-saturated material moves laterally, often in flat terrain.
• Flows, including debris and earth flows, behave like a fluid, rapidly moving material downslope.

In Mendocino County, two other types of mass earth movements of concern include rockfalls and debris flows, due to the county’s steep terrain, unstable slopes, and exposure to intense seasonal rainfall. Rockfalls occur when fragments of rock detach from steep slopes or cliffs and fall freely, bounce, or roll downslope. These events can happen suddenly, often without warning, and pose significant risks to roadways, structures, and public safety, especially in mountainous or coastal bluff areas.

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides composed of saturated soil, rock, vegetation, and other material that surge downhill during or after heavy rainfall, often following wildfires or prolonged wet conditions. They can destroy everything in their path and are particularly dangerous in narrow canyons and steep drainage areas.
25 CLIMATE CHANGE AND INLAND FLOODING | CLIMATE CENTRAL

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4.12.2 Past Events
Information was compiled from the NCEI Storm Events database (1996–2024), local news sources, the CA E-SHMP, and input from the Core Planning Team to assess past mass earth movement events in Mendocino County. Details of these events are provided below. • December 2005: A series of strong Pacific storms brought 12 to 20 inches of rain to Mendocino County, resulting in widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage. Heavy rainfall triggered significant slope failures and road washouts, with Caltrans reporting approximately $17.3 million in damages within the county. Coastal flooding and high winds also caused additional impacts, including damage to shore-side facilities, downed trees, and power outages (NCEI).
• February 13-15, 2019: An atmospheric river with extremely heavy rain caused flooding and mudslides throughout the State, impacting Mendocino County and resulting in a disaster declaration (DR-4431-CA).
• February 24-March 1, 2019: An atmospheric river with extremely heavy rain caused flooding and mudslides throughout the State and resulted in a disaster declaration (DR4434-CA). • December 15, 2021: A landslide closed Forest Road M10 near Fouts Springs in Mendocino National Forest. The closure was prompted by heavy winter storms, with forest officials warning of ongoing risks in burn scar areas, including potential erosion, landslides, and debris flows from the August Complex and Ranch Fire zones.26 • Late January–February 2025: An atmospheric river storm series triggered widespread landslides and flooding, prompting a state of emergency in Mendocino County. Multiple roadways were impacted, including sections of US 101, State Highway 128, and Highway 175. 27
The statewide landslide inventory displays reported landslides by CGS and other sources over the past 50 years, as illustrated in FIGURE 38 below.
26 LANDSLIDE CLOSES M10 IN MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST AS WINTER STORMS CONTINUE • THE MENDOCINO VOICE | MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA 27 STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED FOR MENDOCINO COUNTY AFTER FEBRUARY STORMS • THE MENDOCINO VOICE | MENDOCINO

COUNTY, CA

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Figure 38 Reported Landslides in the County of Mendocino

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4.12.3 Location
In Mendocino County, landslides are most likely to occur in areas with steep slopes, unstable soils, and significant rainfall or seismic activity. These high-risk zones include rugged coastal cliffs, mountainous regions such as the Coast Range, and river valleys where erosion weakens slopes, as shown in FIGURE 39. Areas recently impacted by wildfires are particularly vulnerable to debris flows, as the loss of vegetation reduces the soil’s ability to stay anchored during heavy rain events, increasing the risk of rapid downhill soil movement. Human activities like road cuts, construction, and land clearing can also destabilize slopes and trigger landslides.

Wildfires can increase the risk of debris flows, which may occur shortly after a fire due to intense rainfall or develop over time as vegetation is lost and soil stability declines. The California MyPlan 2.0 platform identifies watersheds within wildfire burn areas that are at elevated risk for debris flows, as shown in FIGURE 40 below.

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Figure 39 Landslide Susceptibility Areas in the County of Mendocino

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Figure 40 Debris Flow Risk Areas in the County of Mendocino

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4.12.4 Severity
Mass earth movements can be highly destructive, posing serious risks to life, property, and infrastructure. Their severity depends on factors like slope steepness, soil composition, rainfall intensity, and prior disturbances like wildfire or construction. These events can occur suddenly with little warning, causing roads to collapse, damaging or destroying homes and businesses, and isolating communities. Debris flows, in particular, can move rapidly and carry large volumes of mud, rock, and vegetation, increasing the potential for injury or fatalities. In steep or fireimpacted areas of Mendocino County, the severity of these hazards may worsen with climaterelated changes, such as more intense storms and reduced vegetation cover.

4.12.5 Secondary Hazards
Mass earth movements can trigger or worsen several secondary natural hazards, including flooding and dam or levee failures. When large volumes of earth and debris block rivers or streams, they can create temporary dams known as “landslide dams” or “debris dams.” These blockages can lead to upstream flooding and may suddenly breach, releasing large amounts of water downstream and causing flash floods. In some cases, landslides near man-made dams or levees can damage structural integrity or overwhelm drainage systems, increasing the risk of failure.

4.12.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.12.6.1 Lifelines
Mass earth movements can significantly impact critical infrastructure by damaging or disrupting essential systems such as transportation networks, utilities, and communication lines.

Landslides and debris flows can block or destroy roads and highways, isolating communities and delaying emergency response. Rockfalls may damage power lines, water pipelines, and gas lines, leading to service outages or hazardous conditions. In some cases, mass movements near reservoirs, dams, or treatment facilities can impair water supply or compromise structural stability. These disruptions not only affect daily operations but can also pose serious risks to public safety and require costly repairs and long-term mitigation efforts.

Landslides
A summary of the Community lifeline analysis for landslides (high-very high risk) is presented below:
• Safety and Security: 20 locations
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: 18 locations
• Health and Medical: 9 locations
• Energy: 10 locations
• Communications: 22 locations
• Transportation: 96 locations

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• Hazardous Materials: 2 locations
• Water Systems: 0 locations
Additionally, the community lifeline system analysis identified approximately 842.7 miles of assets located in high to very high landslide risk areas, broken down by system type below. It is important to note that disruptions at any point along this system have the potential to result in cascading impacts.

Transportation:
• Airport Runway (0.0 miles)
• Railroad (63.1 miles)
• Highway (357.0 miles)
Energy:
• Powerline (179.5 miles)
• Transmission Line (224.9 miles)
• Natural Gas Pipelines (18.2 miles)
Debris Flows
A summary of the community lifeline analysis for post-wildfire debris flow (moderate risk) is presented below. No Lifelines are located in high-risk post-wildfire debris flow areas. • Safety and Security: 0 locations
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: 0 locations
• Health and Medical: 0 locations
• Energy: 0 locations
• Communications: 2 locations
• Transportation: 0 locations
• Hazardous Materials: 0 locations
• Water Systems: 0 locations
Additionally, the community lifeline system analysis identified approximately 15.6 miles of assets located in moderate risk debris flow areas, broken down by system type below. No lifeline systems are located in high-risk areas. It is important to note that disruptions at any point along this system have the potential to result in cascading impacts.

Transportation:
• Airport Runway (4.1 miles)
• Railroad (0 miles)
• Highway (0.1 miles)
Energy:
• Powerline (4.1 miles)
• Transmission Line (7.3 miles)

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• Natural Gas Pipelines (0 miles)

4.12.6.2 People
Mass earth movements can pose serious risks to human health and safety. Landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows can occur suddenly, giving little or no warning, and have the potential to injure or kill people in their path. These events can trap residents in homes or vehicles, cut off access to emergency services, and delay evacuations. In addition to physical harm, the destruction of homes and displacement caused by these hazards can lead to long-term emotional stress and mental health challenges. Populations living in steep, fire-affected, or rural areas are especially vulnerable to these impacts.

4.12.6.3 Structures
Mass earth movements can cause significant damage to general structures such as homes and businesses. Landslides and debris flows can bury or collapse buildings, especially those located on or near steep slopes, hillsides, or areas with unstable soil. Rockfalls can strike structures with great force, damaging roofs, walls, and foundations. Even if a building is not directly hit, surrounding ground movement can undermine a structure’s stability or cut off access. This type of damage often leads to costly repairs, long-term displacement for residents or business owners, and potential economic losses for the community.

Landslides
TABLE 15 displays total parcel count and value exposed to high and very high-risk landslide areas in the County of Mendocino.

Table 15 Parcels Exposed to Landslides (High-Very High Risk) Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Commercial 679 $184,344,225 $248,169,410
Industrial 205 $44,624,844 $92,706,807
Institutional 210 $12,878,187 $36,747,006
Miscellaneous 583 $7,038,071 $2,537,558
Residential 21,965 $2,176,588,500 $2,460,339,645
Rural 16,236 $1,147,955,782 $732,030,955
No Data 1,682 $95,196,619 $97,707,933
Total 41,560 $3,668,626,228 $3,670,239,314
Source: The County of Mendocino Assessor’s Office and GIS Department Debris Flow

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TABLE 16 displays total parcel count and value exposed to moderate and high post-wildfire debris flow risk areas in the County of Mendocino.

Table 16 Parcels Exposed to Post-Wildfire Debris Flows (Moderate to High Risk) Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Commercial 1 $0 $0
Industrial 1 $32,964 $0
Institutional 1 $198,075 $20,486
Miscellaneous 1 $38,502 $0
Residential 559 $6,821,325 $2,285,227
Rural 348 $9,187,998 $1,966,719
No Data 9 $0 $0
Total 920 $16,278,864 $4,272,432
Source: The County of Mendocino Assessor’s Office and GIS Department

4.12.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Soil and sediment from landslides can accumulate downslope, potentially blocking roads and waterways and degrading the quality of streams and other water bodies. When landslides enter streams, they can disrupt fish and wildlife habitats and further impact water quality.

Additionally, landslides can cause the long-term loss of hillside areas that serve as important habitat for wildlife.

4.12.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• Post wildfire debris flow and flooding can impact any infrastructure and structures near and downstream from burn scars.
• A number of county transportation routes are located near high-risk landslide areas, which could result in blocked roads and dangerous driving conditions. • A lack of erosion control in areas around steep hillsides leads to increased risk.

4.12.7 Future Trends in Development
The county would prefer that any new development be located outside of mapped “geologic” hazard areas, to ensure the county’s collective risk to mass earth movements is not increased.

The state has mapped landslide areas to inform planning.

The county’s land-use regulation (Title 17) explicitly mentions: “The creation of building sites in areas where topography, flooding, or other factors will prevent safe, orderly, and beneficial land development.” Restricting or regulating development in identified geologic hazard areas is a capability that the county has.

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4.12.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
Mass earth movement hazards are highly likely in Mendocino County, occurring every 1 to 10 years. These events often happen alongside other natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, or wildfires, and their frequency is linked to these conditions. The county’s steep slopes, unstable soils, and frequent storms increase the risk of landslides and debris flows. Past incidents and ongoing threats, compounded by climate change and development, mean these hazards are persistent, especially where fires or heavy rainfall have occurred.

4.12.9 Climate Change Impacts
In Mendocino County, landslides are closely linked to intense rainfall and runoff events, which climate change is expected to make more frequent and severe. According to the CA E-SHMP, although overall annual rainfall may decrease, it is likely to fall in fewer but heavier storms, thereby increasing landslide risk. Additionally, extended drought periods and more frequent wildfires, both driven by climate change, will increase vulnerability to debris flows as vegetation that stabilizes soil is lost.

4.13 Severe Storms

4.13.1 General Background
Severe storms are characterized by heavy rainfall, high winds, and sometimes lightning. These events can develop rapidly, often overwhelming natural and built environments, and trigger secondary hazards including flooding and mass earth movements. The frequency and intensity of severe storms may be exacerbated by changing climate patterns, increasing risks for communities, critical facilities, and vital resources. In Mendocino County, severe storms threaten lives and property, disrupt essential services, and exacerbate vulnerabilities related to slope instability and other interconnected hazards.

An atmospheric river is a long, narrow corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere that can deliver intense rainfall when it makes landfall. When these bands make landfall, especially against coastal or mountainous terrain like Mendocino’s coast, they release their moisture as intense rainfall or snow, often over several days. Atmospheric rivers are the primary driver of major floods in the county.

4.13.2 Past Events
The NCEI Storm Events Database reports 118 severe storm events in Mendocino County from 1950 to 2024, including 78 wind (including tornado) and 40 heavy rain events. Property damage was documented in 69 occurrences, and one event resulted in a fatality; no crop damage was reported. Most reported incidents took place between 2022 and 2024. Details about the damaging events are provided below (TABLE 17). Note that heavy rain is often the cause of other hazards, such as flooding and mass earth movements. Some events may not have been recorded as heavy rain but rather as a secondary hazard in the NCEI Storm Events data. Refer to

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the Flood (inland) 4.11.2 PAST EVENTS and Mass Earth Movements 4.12.2 PAST EVENTS sections for additional information on these types of events.

Table 17 Damaging Severe Storm Events
Location Date Hazard Magnitude Fatalities Property
Damage
Mendocino Co. 12/11/1983 Tornado F0 $2,500
Ukiah 2/13/2000 High
Wind
50 knots 1 unknown
Leggett 1/6/2017 Heavy
Rain
$2,500,000
Outlet 1/6/2017 Heavy
Rain
$2,000,000
Summit 1/6/2017 Heavy
Rain
$1,300,000
Mendocino Coast 1/8/2017 Strong
Wind
26 knots $17,000
Laytonville 1/9/2017 Heavy
Rain
$7,000,000
Old Hopland 1/9/2017 Heavy
Rain
$550,000
Rockport 1/9/2017 Heavy
Rain
$3,000,000
Albion 1/9/2017 Heavy
Rain
$400,000
Farley 1/17/2017 Heavy
Rain
$2,000,000
Cummings 1/17/2017 Heavy
Rain
$4,500,000
Boonville Muni Arpt 2/9/2017 Heavy
Rain
$1,700,000
Caspar 2/15/2017 Heavy
Rain
$1,250,000
Piercy 2/15/2017 Heavy
Rain
$1,200,000
Cummings 2/15/2017 Heavy
Rain
$6,000,000

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Location Date Hazard Magnitude Fatalities Property
Damage
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
12/26/2022 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 12/26/2022 Strong
Wind
30 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 12/27/2022 Strong
Wind
22 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 12/27/2022 Strong
Wind
30 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 12/27/2022 Strong
Wind
17 knots $1,000
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
12/30/2022 Strong
Wind
22 knots $2,000
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
12/30/2022 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
35 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
35 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
35 knots $2,000
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $2,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
39 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
38 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/4/2023 Strong
Wind
31 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/5/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000

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Location Date Hazard Magnitude Fatalities Property
Damage
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/5/2023 Strong
Wind
30 knots $1,000
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/5/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Southeastern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/7/2023 Strong
Wind
29 knots $1,000
Southeastern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/7/2023 Strong
Wind
35 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/7/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/9/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/9/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 1/9/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/14/2023 Strong
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Southeastern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
1/14/2023 Strong
Wind
22 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/1/2024 High
Wind
36 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/1/2024 High
Wind
29 knots $7,500
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
3/1/2024 High
Wind
25 knots $7,500
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
3/1/2024 High
Wind
30 knots $1,500
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
3/1/2024 High
Wind
28 knots $250
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/1/2024 High
Wind
26 knots $7,500
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
3/1/2024 High
Wind
28 knots $1,000

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Location Date Hazard Magnitude Fatalities Property
Damage
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/1/2024 High
Wind
32 knots $7,500
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/2/2024 High
Wind
32 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/2/2024 High
Wind
35 knots $1,000
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/2/2024 High
Wind
29 knots $1,000
Potter Vly 3/3/2024 Heavy
Rain
$3,500
Irmulco 3/3/2024 Heavy
Rain
$1,100
Dos Rios 3/3/2024 Heavy
Rain
$3,500
Northwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
3/3/2024 High
Wind
25 knots $1,100
Irmulco 3/5/2024 Heavy
Rain
$3,500
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/22/2024 High
Wind
28 knots $1,000
Southwestern Mendocino
Interior (Zone)
3/22/2024 High
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Cummings 3/23/2024 Heavy
Rain
$1,100
Farley 3/24/2024 Heavy
Rain
$1,100
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 3/24/2024 High
Wind
26 knots $1,000
Laytonville 11/1/2024 Heavy
Rain
$3,500
Old Hopland 11/20/2024 Heavy
Rain
$1,100
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 11/20/2024 High
Wind
42 knots $1,000

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Location Date Hazard Magnitude Fatalities Property
Damage
Mendocino Coast (Zone) 12/13/2024 High
Wind
25 knots $1,000
Mendocino Co. 12/13/2024 High
Wind
25 knots $1,000
Since 1970, the county has been included in 12 state proclamations and nine federal disaster declarations for severe storm-related hazards. While proclamations and declarations may identify a secondary hazard as the disaster type (i.e., flooding or landslides), severe storms are ultimately the primary cause of these events.

Narratives for recent severe storms that prompted federal disaster declarations and affected Mendocino County are provided below.
• 2022 Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides DR-4683-CA: This declaration followed a series of atmospheric river storms that began on December 27, 2022, and produced prolonged heavy rainfall across Mendocino County. The storms caused localized flooding along the Navarro River, Russian River tributaries, and smaller coastal watersheds, as well as widespread downed trees, power outages, and damage to transportation infrastructure. Several rural roadways experienced washouts or landslides, particularly in steep terrain areas of the Coast Range and along State Route 128, State Route 1, and other local routes. Emergency responders addressed numerous debris-removal operations and road closures as saturated soils increased the risk of landslides in burn scar areas and forested hillsides. The disaster declaration enabled federal assistance to support debris removal, emergency protective measures, and repairs to damaged public infrastructure across affected areas of the county.

4.13.3 Location
Severe storms can impact all areas of the county, but often at different times of the year.

Coastal communities experience severe storms more frequently during the winter months and are more directly affected by atmospheric rivers. Meanwhile, inland communities experience severe summer storms more often, which often include lightning.

4.13.4 Severity
The NWS’s Storm Prediction Center (SPC) uses a scale from 1 to 5 to measure the severity of thunderstorms shown in FIGURE 41.

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Figure 41 Severe Thunderstorm Outlook Categories
Lightning is measured by the Lightning Activity Level (LAL) scale, created by the National Weather Service to define lightning activity into a specific categorical scale. The LAL is a standard parameter used in fire weather forecasts nationwide. It is reproduced in TABLE 18.

Lightning can cause deaths, injuries, and property damage, including damage to buildings, communications systems, power lines, and electrical systems. It also causes forest and brush fires. Due to the county's varied topography, there is a risk of experiencing lightning in any of these categories.

Table 18 Lightning Activity Levels (LAL) Scale
Activity Level Description
LAL 1 No thunderstorms
LAL 2 Isolated thunderstorms. Light rain will occasionally reach the ground.

Lightning is very infrequent, 1 to 5 cloud-to-ground strikes in five minutes LAL 3 Widely scattered thunderstorms. Light to moderate rain will reach the ground. Lightning is infrequent, with 6 to 10 cloud-to-ground strikes in five minutes.

LAL 4 Scattered thunderstorms. Moderate rain is commonly produced. Lightning is frequent, with 11 to 15 cloud-to-ground strikes in five minutes.

LAL 5 Numerous thunderstorms. Rainfall is moderate to heavy. Lightning is frequent and intense, greater than 15 cloud-to-ground strikes in five minutes.

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Activity Level Description
LAL 6 Dry lightning (same as LAL 3 but without rain). This type of lightning has the potential for extreme fire activity and is normally highlighted in fire weather forecasts with a Red Flag warning.

Source: National Weather Service
The heavy rainfall that Mendocino County and all of California often experience is usually caused by an atmospheric river. These rivers are classified using a measurement called the Integrated Water Vapor Transport (IVT), which considers both the amount of water vapor in the system and the wind moving it. To be classified as an atmospheric river, a storm must reach an IVT threshold of 250 units; 1,000 IVT or more is considered "extreme" (Arcuni, 2019).

In 2019, the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes (CW3E), part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, developed a system to categorize the strength and impact of atmospheric rivers. The center created this scale as a practical tool for officials to assess flooding risks before storms make landfall. The new scale ranks these events into five categories from weak to exceptional. Unlike the Fujita scale for tornadoes, which focuses on potential damage, the atmospheric river scale considers storms that may be hazardous as well as those that can benefit the local water supply. A category one event is generally considered beneficial, typically lasting around 24 hours and bringing modest rainfall. In contrast, a category five event is considered “exceptional” and primarily hazardous, lasting several days with heavy rainfall and runoff that can cause significant damage. TABLE 19 below further explains the scale.

Table 19 Atmospheric River Categories
Category Potential Impacts
AR Cat 1: Weak Primarily beneficial. For example, a Feb. 2, 2017 AR hit California, lasted 24 hours at the coast, and produced modest rainfall.

AR Cat 2: Moderate Mostly beneficial, but also somewhat hazardous. An atmospheric river on Nov. 19-20, 2016 hit Northern California, lasted 42 hours at the coast, and produced several inches of rain that helped replenish low reservoirs after a drought.

AR Cat 3: Strong Balance of beneficial and hazardous. An atmospheric river on Oct. 14- 15, 2016 lasted 36 hours at the coast, produced 5-10 inches of rain that helped refill reservoirs after a drought, but also caused some rivers to rise to just below flood stage.

AR Cat 4: Extreme Mostly hazardous, but also beneficial. For example, an atmospheric river on Jan. 8-9, 2017 that persisted for 36 hours produced up to 14 inches of rain in the Sierra Nevada and caused at least a dozen rivers to reach flood stage.

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Category Potential Impacts
AR Cat 5: Exceptional Primarily hazardous. For example, a Dec. 29, 1996 to Jan. 2, 1997 atmospheric river lasted over 100 hours at the Central California coast. The associated heavy precipitation and runoff caused more than $1 billion in damages.

Source: Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego The Beaufort Wind Scale, recreated in TABLE 20 is used to measure the severity of high winds.

Hurricane-force winds are defined as a speed equal to or greater than 64 knots (74 mph) or Beaufort Number 12 (Force 12). Hurricane-force winds are not exclusive to hurricanes; they occur in severe thunderstorms. The greatest magnitude wind event recorded in the NCEI Storm Events database for Mendocino County was a 12 on the Beaufort Wind Scale, at 66 knots or 76 mph.

Table 20 Beaufort Wind Scale
Beaufort
Number
Wind Speed
(Knots) Wind Description Visual Clues
0 Less than 1 Calm Calm, smoke rises vertically
1 1-3 Light Air Smoke drift indicated wind direction, still wind vanes
2 4-6 Light Breeze The wind felt on face, leaves rustle, and vanes begin to move
3 7-10 Gentle Breeze Leaves and small twigs constantly moving, light flags extended
4 11-16 Moderate Breeze Dust, leaves, and loose paper lifted, small tree branches move
5 17-21 Fresh Breeze Small trees in leaf begin to sway
6 22-27 Strong Breeze Larger tree branches moving, whistling in wires
7 28-33 Near Gale Whole trees moving, resistance felt walking against the wind
8 34-40 Gale Twigs breaking off trees, generally impede progress
9 41-47 Strong Gale Slight structural damage occurs, slate blows off roofs
10 48-55 Storm Seldom experienced on land, trees broken or uprooted, “considerable structural damage”

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Beaufort
Number
Wind Speed
(Knots) Wind Description Visual Clues
11 56-63 Violent Storm
12 64+ Hurricane
The Fujita Scale, commonly known as the F-Scale, classifies the intensity of tornadoes based on the damage they cause to human-built structures and vegetation. The scale ranges from F0, indicating light damage, to F5, signifying incredible damage. In 2007, the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale) was implemented in the United States to provide a more accurate assessment of tornado intensity. The EF-Scale retains the original scale's structure but incorporates more detailed engineering analyses of damage indicators, resulting in a more precise correlation between observed damage and estimated wind speeds. The EF-Scale ranges from EF0, with estimated wind speeds of 65-85 mph, to EF5, with estimated wind speeds exceeding 200 mph.

TABLE 21 compares the Fujita scale to the EF-Scale. According to records in the NCEI Storm Events database, the greatest magnitude tornado Mendocino County has experienced was an F-1 in Fort Bragg on December 5, 1998.

Table 21 Fujita Scale Compared to Enhanced Fujita Scale Fujita Scale Wind Speed Enhanced Fujita Scale Wind Speed F-0 40-72 mph EF-0 68-85 mph
F-1 73-112 mph EF-1 86-110 mph
F-2 113-157 mph EF-2 111-135 mph
F-3 158-206 mph EF-3 136-165 mph
F-4 207-260 mph EF-4 166-200 mph
F-5 261-318 mph EF-5 200+ mph
Source: NWS

4.13.5 Secondary Hazards
Severe storms in Mendocino County frequently serve as triggers to secondary hazards. Heavy rainfall associated with these storms often causes flooding and mass earth movements. Strong winds can increase wildfire risk by knocking down trees and spreading embers. Lightning can initiate wildfires, as was seen in 2020 with the August Complex event where lightning strikes ignited several wildfires.

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4.13.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.13.6.1 Community Lifelines
Severe storms significantly threaten vital lifelines in Mendocino County, disrupting key services and risking public safety. High winds can damage power lines, disrupt communications, and block roads with fallen trees and debris, impeding emergency response efforts. Flooded roads and damaged infrastructure delay medical services, slow repairs, and isolate communities, especially in rural or difficult-to-reach areas. These disruptions not only pose immediate dangers during storms but also hinder recovery, affecting residents, businesses, and vulnerable populations.

4.13.6.2 People
Severe storms can have profound and wide-reaching effects on people throughout Mendocino County, but the challenges are particularly severe for vulnerable groups such as older adults, individuals with disabilities, low-income households, and those living in remote or isolated areas. Power outages and blocked transportation routes can leave these populations without access to medical care, refrigeration for medications, and essential communication with caregivers or emergency services. When storms cause flooding or mass earth movements, residents with limited mobility may be unable to evacuate quickly or reach safer ground. In rural communities, where services are already limited, any disruption can worsen social and economic hardships, making recovery slower and more difficult.

4.13.6.3 Structures
Buildings and structures across Mendocino County are especially vulnerable to the effects of severe storms. Strong winds can rip off roofs, break windows, and knock over exterior walls, while heavy rains can weaken foundations and cause water intrusion and mold growth. Older buildings or those not conforming to building codes are particularly at risk, with storm damage often worsening existing weaknesses. Additionally, flying debris and fallen trees can impact homes, businesses, and public facilities, leading to expensive repairs and, in some cases, rendering buildings temporarily uninhabitable. These structural damages not only put occupants at risk during the storm but also require long-term rebuilding and repair efforts, which further strain community resources and resilience.

4.13.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Severe storms in Mendocino County pose serious threats to the area's natural landscapes as well as its historic and cultural treasures. Heavy rainfall and strong winds can accelerate erosion, destabilize fragile habitats, and harm mature forests, which are vital for biodiversity.

Related flooding can wash away riverbanks, alter wetland ecosystems, and increase sediment in streams, ultimately disrupting fish populations and water quality. High winds can threaten historic buildings, landmarks, and archaeological sites, causing structural damage that may be difficult or impossible to fix.

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4.13.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• Power outages and loss of communication (internet, phone lines) during storms are significant concerns.
• Vegetation and tree damage, requiring preemptive or responsive tree removal after storms.
• High winds can blow trees over, presenting hazards for buildings, roads, and pedestrians/cars.

4.13.7 Future Trends in Development
Future development is not anticipated to increase vulnerability to this hazard. As all new development is required to meet the latest state codes, growth will reduce the overall vulnerability exposure ratio to severe storms.

4.13.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
The NOAA Storm Events database recorded 118 severe storm events, of which 69 caused property damage between 1950 and 2024, indicating the probability of a severe storm annually.

4.13.9 Climate Change Impacts
According to the Mendocino County Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report, climate change is likely to shift precipitation patterns statewide, where previously considered “normal” conditions are likely to become more extreme. However, future trends in precipitation are uncertain statewide. The Fourth Climate Change Assessment for California, specifically the Regional Report for the North Coast Region, reports that model predictions of annual rainfall in the North Coast Region are slightly higher by the end of the century. Statewide, the intensity of severe storms is likely to increase in the future. FIGURE 42 from Cal-Adapt shows the maximum daily precipitation over a 24-hour period each year for Mendocino County observed and projected under the different emissions scenarios.

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Figure 42 Maximum 1-day Precipitation for Mendocino County Source: Cal-Adapt Local Climate Change Snapshot, Mendocino County

4.14 Tsunami

4.14.1 General Background
A tsunami is a large wave caused when an ocean or lake floor suddenly shifts, usually because of underwater earthquakes or landslides. These waves can travel at speeds exceeding 600 miles per hour in deep water and often go unnoticed by ships. However, as they approach the shore, they slow down and grow much taller, sometimes reaching heights of over 90 feet. This sudden rise in water, known as “run-up,” can flood coastal areas and cause significant damage. While most tsunamis occur due to earthquakes, fast-moving storms can also trigger smaller events.

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Tsunamis can originate locally or from distant sources; however, local tsunamis pose greater risk due to limited warning times. Tsunamis usually come as a series of waves that can last for hours, and the first wave is not always the largest. The damage from tsunamis results from associated flooding, strong currents, erosion, sediment displacement, and the transport of hazardous debris, which can damage infrastructure, endanger lives, and disrupt emergency and transportation services. The Mendocino County area marks the southern extent of the Cascadia subduction zone, a significant seismic hazard capable of generating major tsunamis.

4.14.2 Past Events
Past tsunami events were compiled from the NCEI Storm Events database, local news sources, the Safety Element of the General Plan, the previous HMP, and input from the Core Planning Team. Event narratives are provided below:
• 1946: Noyo Harbor experienced damage in the dock areas, with an estimated 100 fishing boats thrown about because of a tsunami generated by an earthquake in the Aleutian Islands (County General Plan).
• 1960: Six fishing boats in Noyo Harbor were lost because of a tsunami generated by an earthquake in Chile (County General Plan).
• 1964: A tsunami generated by an Alaska earthquake struck Noyo Harbor, causing damage estimated at $250,000-$1,000,000, sinking 10 boats, and damaging more than 100 fishing boats. Run-up from this event ranged from 4.2 feet at Van Damme State Park to 12.4 feet in Fort Bragg (County General Plan).
• December 31, 2005: From December 18 through the end of the month, a series of strong Pacific storms brought 12–20 inches of rain to Northern California, causing widespread flooding and landslides. Major damage occurred in the Klamath and Russian River basins, including flooded homes, infrastructure damage, and $15 million in damage to the Klamath River Bridge. Landslides caused over $75 million in road damages across multiple counties and tribal lands. The storms also brought coastal flooding and damaging winds, with gusts up to 97 mph, contributing an additional $4.9 million in damage. Damage estimates are still being finalized. • March 11, 2011: A tsunami generated by the Tohoku Earthquake off of Japan's coast caused run-up ranging from 2.6 feet in Albion to 5.7 feet in Point Arena (County General Plan). The NCEI database reported $4 million in damage across the region due to this event.
• July 30, 2025: An 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula triggered a tsunami that impacted the California coast. Mendocino County experienced waves up to 3 feet at Arena Cove and approximately 0.7 feet in Fort Bragg. A tsunami advisory

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was issued but lifted by 10:30 a.m. the next day. No significant damage was reported, but authorities advised caution due to strong currents and minor sea level changes.28 Additionally, Mendocino County has experienced tsunami warnings and advisories even though no actual tsunamis impacted the area. In December 2021, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake off the coast of Alaska triggered a tsunami warning for parts of Northern California. The warning was quickly canceled after monitoring showed no significant tsunami waves were generated.

Similarly, in January 2022, a volcanic eruption near Tonga generated waves that prompted a tsunami advisory along the U.S. West Coast, including Mendocino County. Officials warned residents to stay alert, but the waves that reached the shore were minor, and the advisory was lifted without incident.

4.14.3 Location
According to the California Department of Conservation, a wave run-up of 10 feet would affect the entire coastal region of Mendocino County. Low-lying coastal areas and the river valleys of the Navarro, Albion, Noyo, Garcia, and Ten Mile rivers could experience inundation. Although the wave run-up is not projected to reach as far as the town of Manchester, flooding is expected at Noyo Harbor. These risk areas are shown in FIGURE 43.

4.14.4 Severity
Severity of impact is influenced by factors such as distance from the tsunami source, earthquake magnitude, wave duration, run-up height, tidal conditions, shoreline configuration, wave approach direction, and seabed topography. In Mendocino County, most tsunami events produce relatively low run-up heights of less than one foot, typically resulting in minor flooding and limited damage.

4.14.5 Secondary Hazards
Tsunamis can trigger a range of secondary natural hazards that compound their overall impact.

One of the most immediate is coastal and inland flooding, which can extend far beyond the initial shoreline, damaging infrastructure, homes, and critical facilities. Prolonged wave action and high-velocity water flow can lead to severe erosion of beaches, dunes, and coastal bluffs, destabilizing the landscape and increasing vulnerability to future events.

In some cases, tsunamigenic fires may occur. These fires are initiated by ignited combustible materials (such as broken homes, vehicles, and boats) that float with the tsunami waves and can result in wildfires. These fires can spread rapidly, especially in areas where emergency access is limited due to flooding or infrastructure failure, further endangering lives and property.
28 THE LATEST: TSUNAMI ADVISORY CANCELED, THREAT OF TSUNAMI DIMINISHES ON MENDOCINO COAST • THE MENDOCINO VOICE |

MENDOCINO COUNTY, CA

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Figure 43 Tsunami Risk Areas in the County of Mendocino

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4.14.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.14.6.1 Lifelines
Tsunamis can severely damage critical infrastructure in coastal areas, including roads, bridges, utilities, and communication systems. Flooding and wave force may disrupt emergency services, power, water treatment, and transportation, complicating response and recovery efforts.

Damage to fuel storage and pipelines can also lead to spills or fires, further compromising safety and the functionality of infrastructure.

A summary of the community lifeline analysis for tsunami risk areas is presented below:
• Safety and Security: 0 locations
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: 0 locations
• Health and Medical: 0 locations
• Energy: 1 location
• Communications: 0 locations
• Transportation: 25 locations
• Hazardous Materials: 0 locations
• Water Systems: 0 locations
Additionally, the community lifeline system analysis identified approximately 11 miles of assets located in tsunami risk areas, broken down by system type below. It is important to note that disruptions at any point along this system have the potential to result in cascading impacts.

Transportation:
• Airport Runway (0 miles)
• Railroad (1.7 miles)
• Highway (5.3 miles)
Energy:
• Powerline (2.6 miles)
• Transmission Line (1.4 miles)
• Natural Gas Pipelines (0 miles)

4.14.6.2 People
Tsunamis pose a serious threat to human safety, causing injury or loss of life through strong currents, flooding, and debris. Exposure to contaminated floodwaters can lead to waterborne diseases, while damage to sanitation and healthcare facilities can limit access to medical care.

Additionally, the psychological stress and displacement caused by tsunamis can have long-term mental health effects on affected communities.

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4.14.6.3 Structures
Tsunamis can inflict severe damage on structures through a combination of powerful wave forces, flooding, and the movement of debris. The initial impact of the waves can cause structural failure, especially in buildings not designed to withstand such forces. Floodwaters can then infiltrate foundations, weaken building materials, and lead to long-term issues like mold and corrosion. TABLE 22 summarizes the number and value of parcels exposed to tsunami areas in the county.

Table 22 Parcels Exposed to Tsunamis
Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Commercial 118 $44,031,681 $47,488,627
Industrial 12 $5,688,840 $2,507,927
Institutional 27 $1,246,566 $1,404,091
Miscellaneous 115 $2,982,332 $560,135
Residential 1,064 $316,390,455 $239,843,560
Rural 381 $38,899,208 $17,056,882
No Data 87 $3,844,018 $1,295,785
Total 1,804 $413,083,100 $310,157,007
Source: The County of Mendocino Assessor’s Office and GIS Department

4.14.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Tsunamis can cause significant and often irreversible damage to natural landscapes, historic landmarks, and cultural sites. Coastal ecosystems such as wetlands, estuaries, and beaches may be eroded or inundated with saltwater and debris, disrupting habitats and long-term ecological balance. Historic structures, monuments, and culturally significant sites, many of which are located near coastlines, are particularly vulnerable to water damage, structural collapse, and loss of irreplaceable materials or artifacts.

4.14.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• Coastal communities are vulnerable to coastal hazards and the resulting evacuation challenges.
• Hazards could potentially strand residents or visitors and could cut off access to Manchester.
• Coastal erosion can impact infrastructure and buildings located in coastal areas of the County. Specific vulnerabilities relate to communications infrastructure and the following locations (Pudding Creek Mobile Home Park, Anchor Bay Campground, Noyo Harbor, and Albion Harbor).

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• The Noyo Harbor area and it’s economy could be greatly impacted, including county roads and infrastructure.
• Power outages and loss of communication (internet, phone lines) are significant concerns.

4.14.7 Future Trends in Development
Future development may increase the county’s overall vulnerability, depending on whether the new construction lies within mapped tsunami risk zones. All future development should consider the potential impacts related to tsunami. Local regulations do not forbid development in these areas, though if the site is located in an identified Coastal Zone then an additional Coastal Development Permit would be needed which could further assess the hazard.

4.14.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
The probability of tsunamis in the County of Mendocino is likely to occur, with an expected rate of 10 to 50 years. While large, locally generated tsunamis are less frequent, they pose a higher risk due to shorter warning times and potentially severe impacts. Distant-source tsunamis, such as those originating from earthquakes in Alaska, Japan, or Chile, are more common and generally provide more warning time, though their impacts are typically less severe. Given ongoing seismic activity in the region, continued monitoring and preparedness are essential despite the relatively infrequent occurrence of damaging tsunamis.

4.14.9 Climate Change Impacts
According to the CA E-SHMP, climate change is expected to influence tsunami hazards in Mendocino County by increasing the frequency and severity of factors that contribute to tsunami generation and impact. Rising sea levels will enable tsunami waves to reach further inland, resulting in more extensive flooding and damage, even from smaller events. Expected increases of rainfall and storm activity can destabilize slopes, raising the risk of landslides into coastal waters that may trigger local tsunamis.

4.15 Wildfire
For a more detailed assessment of wildfire risk and vulnerability, please reference the 2025 MENDOCINO COUNTY COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN (CWPP).

4.15.1 General Background
Wildfires are a natural part of many ecosystems, including those found in Mendocino County.

They play a vital role in shaping landscapes, recycling nutrients, and maintaining healthy forests. However, wildfires can also pose significant risks to human communities, infrastructure, and the environment when they occur near populated areas or under extreme weather conditions. In recent decades, changes in climate and land use have contributed to longer fire seasons and more intense wildfires across California.

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Mendocino County’s geography, climate, plant communities, and ignition sources contribute to frequent wildfires. Key fire behavior factors include:
• Fuel: Includes vegetation at different levels. Light fuels like grasses burn quickly, while heavier fuels like logs ignite slower. Insect-damaged trees are more susceptible. • Weather: High temperatures, low humidity, strong winds, and dry conditions favor severe fires, particularly inland.
• Terrain: Slope and elevation affect fuel moisture and fire spread, with fire moving easily uphill.

Mendocino County features extensive Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas where structures are adjacent to or intermixed with wildland vegetation. These zones are especially vulnerable to wildfire due to the proximity of flammable vegetation and human activity. The WUI presents unique challenges for fire prevention, suppression, and evacuation, as fires can quickly spread between natural landscapes and built environments. In Mendocino County, many communities are located within or near forested, chaparral, and grassland ecosystems, increasing the risk of wildfire impact on buildings and infrastructure.

4.15.2 Past Events
According to the Mendocino County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) 2025, Mendocino County has shown a distinct oscillating pattern in fire frequency over the past century, alternating between decades of high and low fire occurrences. Nearly 400,000 acres have burned in the last ten years, surpassing figures from previous decades between 1920– 2019.

The fire history analysis period (1920–2023) indicates that most fires in Mendocino County occur along the central and eastern portions of the county, with ignitions primarily concentrated along highways and major thoroughfares. For fires with known ignition dates, the majority are human-caused and occur between June and September, with July having the highest number of fire starts. FIGURE 44 and FIGURE 45 summarize the frequency and magnitude of these wildfires by decade in Mendocino County.

Additionally, FIGURE 46 displays the historical wildfire perimeters in Mendocino County, as documented by the National Interagency Fire Center, covering the period from 1911 to 2021.

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Figure 44 Wildfires by Decade in Mendocino County (1920-2023) Source: Mendocino CWPP 2025
Figure 45 Acres Burned by Decade in Mendocino County (1920-2023) Source: Mendocino CWPP 2025

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Figure 46 Historical Wildfire Perimeters in the County of Mendocino

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Narratives for wildfires that prompted a California State Emergency Proclamation and affected Mendocino County are provided below.
• 1987 - Wildland Fires: In early September 1987, devastating wildfires swept across California’s forests and rangelands. According to the Los Angeles Times, at one point, 11,000 residents were evacuated, and 13,000 firefighters were actively battling blazes statewide. The rapid expansion of the fires prompted the Governor to issue a formal State of Emergency.
29 • Summer 2018 – Mendocino Complex Fire and High Winds: In the summer of 2018, the Mendocino Complex Fire, driven by extreme heat, dry vegetation, and high winds, became the largest wildfire in California history, burning over 459,000 acres across Mendocino and surrounding counties. On July 28, 2018, Governor Jerry Brown declared a State of Emergency for Mendocino County to mobilize firefighting resources and access emergency aid. High winds played a critical role in the fire’s rapid spread, prompting both state and federal disaster declarations. The fire destroyed hundreds of structures and took nearly two months to fully contain. • September 2020 – Oak Fire: In September 2020, the Oak Fire ignited near Brooktrails in Mendocino County, burning approximately 1,100 acres and destroying 56 structures. In response, the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors proclaimed a Local State of Emergency, enabling access to state emergency support and resources.

Narratives for wildfires that prompted federal disaster declarations and affected Mendocino County are provided below.
• 2008 Wildfires EM-3287-CA: In response to the massive wildfire outbreak fueled by lightning strikes beginning June 20, 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency on June 26, 2008, specifically for Mendocino and Shasta counties, citing over 100 fires ignited by lightning, more than 25,000 acres burned in Mendocino, evacuations, property damage, and extreme peril conditions. Just two days later, on June 28, 2008, President Bush issued a federal emergency declaration (EM-3287-CA) covering California wildfires from June 20 to August 20, designating Mendocino County among those eligible for direct federal assistance for emergency protective measures.

The combined state and federal responses unlocked critical funding and resources, including nearly $246 million in public assistance, to support fire suppression, infrastructure protection, evacuations, and hazardous conditions in Mendocino County during the intense summer 2008 wildfire season.30
• 2017 Redwood Valley Fire FM-5219-CA: In response to the Redwood Valley Fire in Mendocino County, part of the Mendocino–Lake Complex, FEMA issued a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FM-5219-CA) on October 9, 2017, the same day the 29 HTTPS://WWW.LATIMES.COM/ARCHIVES/LA-XPM-1987-09-04-MN-3890-STORY.HTML 30 HTTPS://WWW.FEMA.GOV/DISASTER/3287

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blaze began. The fire ultimately burned 36,523 acres, destroyed 543 structures, damaged 41 more, and tragically resulted in 9 civilian fatalities, with one confirmed injury.31
• 2017 Wildfires DR-4344-CA: In October 2017, during a severe wildfire outbreak in Northern California, FEMA issued Major Disaster Declaration DR-4344-CA. The Redwood Complex Fire burned over 36,000 acres, destroying 350 residences and forcing 8,000 residents to evacuate. The incident period spanned October 8–31, 2017, with the declaration made on October 10. Mendocino residents received assistance for housing needs, cleanup, repairs, and rebuilding, while local governments accessed federal funds for fire suppression, infrastructure recovery, and mitigation projects.32 • 2018 Mendocino Fire Complex FM-5262-CA, DR-4382-CA: In response to the Mendocino Complex Fire (a combination of the Ranch and River fires that began on July 29, 2018) FEMA issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration (FM-5262-CA) at the request of California on July 28, 2018. In total, FEMA obligated over $890,000 for emergency response work and $21.5 million in public assistance grants for the Mendocino Fire Complex.33 This declaration directly supported Mendocino County’s firefighting operations, resource coordination, and recovery, complementing the state of emergency proclaimed by Governor Brown on July 28, 2018. • 2020 August Complex Fire DR-4558-CA: The fire began on August 16, 2020, after a historic lightning storm ignited 37 separate fires across Northern California, which eventually merged into a single incident. The combined fire burned 1,032,648 acres across Mendocino, Trinity, Glenn, Lake, Tehama, and Shasta counties, becoming the largest wildfire in California history and the state’s first “gigafire,” meaning a wildfire exceeding one million acres. A significant portion of the burn occurred within the Mendocino National Forest, including wilderness areas such as the Yolla Bolly–Middle Eel and Yuki Wilderness. Within Mendocino County, an estimated 400,000 acres burned, primarily in remote forest and wilderness lands near communities such as Covelo and Round Valley, prompting evacuation orders and warnings during the incident. Across the entire complex, the fire destroyed approximately 935 structures and resulted in one firefighter fatality, while producing widespread smoke and air-quality impacts throughout Northern California.
• 2020 California Wildfires DR-4569-CA: The wildfires impacted Mendocino County during an extreme heat wave and Red Flag fire conditions. Within the county, the Oak Fire near the Brooktrails community north of Willits ignited September 7, 2020, burning approximately 1,100 acres in a residential wildland-urban interface area and forcing mandatory evacuations of more than 3,200 residents. The fire crossed U.S. Highway 31 HTTPS://WWW.FEMA.GOV/DISASTER/5219 32 HTTPS://WWW.FEMA.GOV/DISASTER/4344 33 HTTPS://WWW.FEMA.GOV/DISASTER/5262

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101, temporarily closing the highway and threatening homes and critical infrastructure.

The incident ultimately destroyed 56 structures and damaged additional buildings, while schools and community facilities in the Willits area served as evacuation shelters and classes were canceled due to smoke and safety concerns. The wildfire response required extensive firefighting resources and debris removal operations, and federal disaster assistance was authorized to support housing recovery, emergency protective measures, and mitigation efforts in affected communities.

4.15.3 Location
According to the CWPP, Mendocino County features a varied landscape with diverse topography and vegetation. The northeastern area has mountainous terrain with steep canyons and rivers like the Eel, featuring grassland, oak woodland, mixed chaparral, and coniferous forests. The southwestern region includes valleys and foothills, with similar vegetation but more hardwood in ravines. Chaparral is prevalent in the foothills. Near the coast, grasslands and mixed hardwood dominate, though invasive species like Gorse are present. The northwestern part is densely populated, with a mix of hardwoods, grasslands, coniferous communities, and intermixed forests, including species like douglas-fir, redwood, madrone, coast live oak, coastal scrub, chaparral, and annual grasses. Invasive shrubs and grasses also affect grasslands.

According to data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), which documents wildfire events of all sizes, the area with the highest concentration of wildfire occurrences in Mendocino County between 2014 and 2024 was near Covelo. Other notable areas with frequent wildfire activity include the corridor along Highway 101 between Willits and Ukiah, as well as a stretch along Highway 1 near Caspar. These areas are illustrated in FIGURE 47.

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Figure 47 Historical Wildfire Density in the County of Mendocino

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4.15.4 Severity
CAL FIRE maintains fire hazard severe zone (FHSZ) data for the entire state. CAL FIRE classifies fire hazard severity into three levels (Moderate, High, and Very High) which indicate the likelihood of wildfire occurrence and potential fire behavior under extreme conditions. These classifications are based on scientific models that evaluate factors such as vegetation, slope, and prevailing weather patterns.34
• Moderate: Areas classified as Moderate have a lower likelihood of large, damaging wildfires. Fires in these areas may still occur but are generally expected to spread more slowly and with less intensity due to less flammable vegetation or more favorable topographic conditions.
• High: High severity zones have an increased potential for wildfire ignition and spread.

Fires in these areas are likely to burn more intensely and rapidly, especially under dry and windy conditions. These areas often contain dense vegetation or are situated on steeper slopes that contribute to faster-moving fires.
• Very High: Very High severity zones represent the most hazardous conditions. These areas are characterized by highly flammable vegetation, steep terrain, and weather conditions that can support extreme fire behavior, including crown fires, ember storms, and rapid rates of spread. Fires in Very High zones are difficult to control and pose a significant threat to life, property, and natural resources.

These classifications are intended to inform land use decisions, building codes, and mitigation planning. They represent hazard, not risk, meaning they identify areas where wildfire conditions are more likely to be severe, regardless of the presence of people or structures. The fire hazard severity zones in Mendocino County are shown in FIGURE 48 below. 34 FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONES | OSFM

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Figure 48 Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the County of Mendocino

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4.15.5 Secondary Hazards
Wildfires significantly increase the risk of other natural disasters, particularly debris flows triggered by rain events. After a wildfire burns through an area, the vegetation that normally stabilizes soil is destroyed, and the soil itself can become water-repellent due to the intense heat. This creates a dangerous situation where even light to moderate rainfall can lead to rapid runoff, carrying ash, rocks, and debris downhill in fast-moving flows. These post-fire debris flows are especially hazardous in steep terrain and can occur with little warning, damaging homes, roads, and waterways downstream. These debris flows can bury infrastructure, block drainage systems, and endanger lives long after the fire is extinguished. Areas like Northern California, including Mendocino County, are particularly vulnerable to these secondary disasters due to their topography and seasonal rainfall patterns.

4.15.6 Exposure and Vulnerability

4.15.6.1 Lifelines
Wildfires can significantly disrupt critical infrastructure, threatening public safety and delaying emergency response. Power systems are especially vulnerable. In addition to direct damage to transmission and distribution infrastructure, wildfire risk has led electric utilities to implement Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during periods of elevated fire weather. These precautionary outages, while intended to reduce wildfire ignition risk, can result in prolonged and widespread power disruptions, particularly in rural and high-fire-severity areas.

PSPS events have cascading impacts across multiple lifelines. Prolonged power outages can disrupt water and wastewater systems that rely on electricity for pumping and treatment, reduce telecommunications reliability, and limit access to fuel, food, and medical services.

Transportation systems may also be affected when traffic signals, fuel stations, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure are offline. The general public also faces the risk of food spoilage. For residents with access and functional needs, including those dependent on medical devices or refrigerated medications, PSPS events can pose serious health and safety risks.

Wildfires and PSPS events also create significant economic impacts in Mendocino County.

Power shutoffs and infrastructure damage can interrupt agricultural operations, wine production, tourism, retail activity, and small businesses, resulting in lost revenue, spoiled goods, and reduced employment hours. Repeated outages can strain local governments, school districts, and service providers, increase operational costs, and slow post-fire recovery. These economic disruptions compound the direct losses from wildfire damage and contribute to longterm community vulnerability.

Transportation routes, including roads and bridges, may be closed or damaged, hindering evacuations and emergency access. Water systems can be compromised by burned pipelines, damaged treatment facilities, or contaminated sources, reducing both firefighting capacity and public supply. Communication infrastructure, such as cell towers and fiber-optic lines, may also

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fail during wildfires, limiting emergency coordination. These cascading impacts underscore the importance of strengthening infrastructure resilience in wildfire-prone areas.

A summary of the community lifeline analysis for wildfire risk areas (high-very high risk) is presented below:
• Safety and Security: 35 locations
• Food, Hydration, Shelter: 13 locations
• Health and Medical: 17 locations
• Energy: 10 locations
• Communications: 24 locations
• Transportation: 174 locations
• Hazardous Materials: 2 locations
• Water Systems: 2 locations
Additionally, the community lifeline system analysis identified approximately 774.8 miles of assets located in high to very high fire severity risk areas, broken down by system type below. It is important to note that disruptions at any point along this system have the potential to result in cascading impacts.

Transportation:
• Airport Runway (1.5 miles)
• Railroad (84.5 miles)
• Highway (263.4 miles)
Energy:
• Powerline (168.7 miles)
• Transmission Line (233.1 miles)
• Natural Gas Pipelines (23.6 miles)

4.15.6.2 People
Wildfires pose serious threats to human health and safety, both during and after an event.

Immediate risks include injury or death from fast-moving flames, smoke, and falling debris, particularly for those in the path of the fire or involved in evacuation and response. Smoke from wildfires contains harmful pollutants, such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular conditions, particularly among vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health issues.

Prolonged exposure to poor air quality can also lead to long-term health effects.

4.15.6.3 Structures
Wildfires can severely damage or destroy homes, businesses, and other buildings, especially in WUI areas. Structures are vulnerable to direct flame contact, extreme heat, and wind-driven embers, which can ignite buildings even outside the immediate fire zone. Smoke and heat can

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also cause significant interior damage, rendering buildings uninhabitable. These losses lead to financial hardship, displacement, and long-term recovery challenges. Fire-resistant construction, defensible space, and stronger building codes are essential to reducing structural risk. WUI areas in the county are shown in FIGURE 49 below, and TABLE 23 summarizes the total county and value of parcels exposed to wildfire risk areas.

Table 23 Parcels Exposed to Wildfire Risk (High-Very High Risk) Use Type Parcel Count Land Value Improved Value
Commercial 607 $148,782,011 $180,319,874
Industrial 128 $22,919,807 $54,660,194
Institutional 144 $7,936,469 $16,671,650
Miscellaneous 469 $6,134,869 $2,624,621
Residential 1,565 $94,307,486 $97,345,315
Rural 19,859 $1,911,998,955 $2,112,304,072
No Data 13,986 $976,350,326 $582,271,005
Total 36,758 $3,168,429,923 $3,046,196,731
Source: The County of Mendocino Assessor’s Office and GIS Department

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Figure 49 Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Areas in the County of Mendocino

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4.15.6.4 Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Wildfires pose significant threats to Mendocino County’s natural landscapes, historic sites, and cultural resources. Intense fires can damage sensitive ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and alter habitats for wildlife. Historic buildings, landmarks, and culturally significant sites, especially those important to Indigenous communities, are vulnerable to destruction or irreversible damage. Loss of these resources not only affects environmental health but also diminishes community identity and heritage.

4.15.6.5 Local Vulnerability
• The updated CAL FIRE hazard maps recently identified increased risk. • CAL FIRE also has a list of single ingress/egress communities (30 locations). Additional locations have been identified.
• The need for landscape-scale fuel reduction secondary access route in Brooktrails. • Lack of home addresses and road signage is a huge problem throughout Battalion 4 (NW portion of Mendocino County).
• Evacuation down steep and narrow roads could impede responding fire apparatus, causing road blockage and long response times for personnel. • Solutions are needed to enhancing enforcement of wildfire code. • Understory brush and fuels are present and encroaching on established evacuation routes.
• Air quality concerns during wildfire events and outdated or a lack of ventilation systems. • There is a large and growing number of dead and dying trees. • Ingress/egress issues for neighborhoods or communities with only a sole access point. • Vegetation and fuel reduction needs around lifelines.

4.15.7 Future Trends in Development
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) / State Fire Marshal maintain “fire hazard severity zone” maps (moderate / high / very high) which cover the county’s unincorporated areas. These zones trigger certain state building-standards and fire‐ safe planning requirements in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) and other high-risk areas. Any new development in the WUI should reduce the overall vulnerability exposure ratio to wildfires.

The County of Mendocino fully supports the use of ignition-resistant construction materials and wildfire-resistant building practices for new development, substantial rehabilitation, and retrofits, especially in wildfire-prone and WUI areas.

Enforcing continued compliance with county wildfire regulations is a current challenge.

Although new development may have mitigated the present wildfire risk, the landscape can change over time, leading to increased wildfire risk.

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4.15.8 Probability of Future Occurrences
Wildfires are expected to occur annually in Mendocino County, based on historical patterns and local climate conditions. Trends indicate a steady increase in the number of acres burned each year, reflecting both the growing intensity and scale of wildfire events. According to the Mendocino County CWPP, frequent droughts, past forest management practices, and the continued expansion of the WUI have heightened forest vulnerability by contributing to fuel accumulation and shifts in vegetation composition. These factors have resulted in larger, more destructive fires that pose significant risks to both the built environment and natural ecosystems. As fire seasons grow longer and extreme fire weather becomes more common, effective fire suppression is increasingly difficult. Given these conditions, wildfires are likely to remain a persistent and escalating hazard in Mendocino County.

4.15.9 Climate Change Impacts
According to California’s Fourth Climate Change Assessment the state is projected to experience a 50 percent increase in the number of large wildfires exceeding 25,000 acres and a 77 percent increase in the average area burned annually by 2100. These changes will be driven by various climatic factors that affect wildfire risk differently across California’s regions. In Northern California, including Mendocino County, rising temperatures and decreased summer precipitation are expected to increase the frequency and severity of wildfires by drying out vegetation and lengthening fire seasons. Reduced snowpack in mountainous areas will further reduce moisture during fire season, elevating the risk. Wind patterns (velocity and duration) are the primary drivers of fire spread and intensity, with the Diablo Winds serving as a prime example of these extreme conditions. As a result, Northern California is likely to face significantly heightened wildfire risk, emphasizing the need for targeted mitigation and adaptation strategies.

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Appendix A – FEMA Approval and County Adoption

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Appendix B – 2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
TABLE 24 reports the status of those mitigation actions included in the 2021 HMP.

Table 24 2021 Mitigation Actions
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Mendocino
County
ma-AH-MC-134. Develop a public outreach program that distributes consistent hazard mitigation content and mitigation tips for property owners.

For example, wildfire outreach should focus on necessary ignition resistance and home hardening features - including defensible space - for county residents.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-AH-MC-205. Develop an education program to inform both existing Class K structure owners and applicants of building permits for Class K structures of the inherent risks of such structures to all natural hazards.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-AH-MC-299. Construct evacuation routes as needed to ensure multiple egress routes from neighborhoods.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-CC-MC-221. Offer agricultural disaster training and networking opportunities for farmers and agricultural regulatory agencies.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
Mendocino
County
ma-CC-MC-298. Develop public outreach to educate the public on household practices that can lessen the impacts of climate change.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
The county does support these efforts but does not have the capability to lead this effort. The county will look to the state for expertise and content.

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Mendocino
County
ma-DF-MC-126. Develop a public outreach program that informs property owners located in the dam or levee inundation areas about voluntary flood insurance.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-DF-MC-199. Design and implement a countywide warning system program, with all other HMP participating jurisdictions as secondary participants, to warn everyone within a dam inundation zone of impending dam failure.

Complete Mendocino County Citizen Emergency Alert and Notification System (MendoAlert) - Nixel/Everbridge
Mendocino
County
ma-DR-MC-196. Develop a public education campaign to encourage water conservation during drought.

On-Going
Action
The County Water Agency has worked with other agencies
and community partners to develop and compile educational materials and resources related to drought and water
conservation. Those resources are continuously available on the Water Agency website. Our recently developed Drought Resilience Plan for state small water systems and domestic wells (in compliance with SB 552) includes three drought stages: 1 – Water Shortage Monitoring, 2 – Water Shortage Warning, and 3 – Severe and Emergency Water Shortage,
along with corresponding response actions for each
stage. One of the response actions for Stage 2 is community engagement and outreach by the County and local water
districts. So, while we do have a library of materials available on our website continuously (which we make our best effort to keep updated), Stage 2 – Water Shortage Warning would trigger a more formal public education campaign. For more details, you can find the full DRP document and the library of resources here:
https://www.mendocinocounty.gov/government/mendocinocounty-water-agency/drought-water-conservation

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Mendocino
County
ma-DR-MC-197. Amend land use codes to incorporate regulations that encourage and incentivize water savings for development.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-DR-MC-198. Replace existing turf grass and water-intensive landscaping with drought-resistant landscaping.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-EQ-MC-127. Seismically retrofit or replace County and local ramps and bridges that are categorized as structurally deficient by Caltrans, identified as needing replacement by the County, are located in high ground shaking areas, and/or are necessary for first responders to use during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency.

On-Going
Action
At this juncture, all the bridges in the County Maintained System identified as “seismic” risk have been replaced or retrofitted. There are structurally deficient bridges in the system that are safe at less than the bonus load or have posted limits below the legal load limit with scheduled replacement in progress.

Mendocino
County
ma-EQ-MC-200. Encourage privately owned critical facilities (e.g., churches, hotels, other gathering facilities) to evaluate the ability of the buildings to withstand earthquakes and to address any deficiencies identified.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-EQ-MC-201. Retrofit / Harden County-owned critical facilities (including water & sewer infrastructure) and buildings, and their ability to withstand earthquakes.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-EQ-MC-202. Retrofit non-compliant suspended ceilings in County buildings. This includes Non-Structural Suspended Gypsum Dry-Wall & Cement Plaster Ceilings built 1950-1974.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-EQ-MC-203. Install seismic gas shut-off valves on County buildings to prevent the flow of gas into buildings during a seismic event.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-WS-MC-118. Manage vegetation in areas within and adjacent to rights-ofway and in close proximity to critical facilities in order to reduce the risk of No Progress - Continue
Action

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments tree failure and property damage and avoid the creation of wind acceleration corridors within vegetated areas.

Mendocino
County
ma-EW-MC-207. Routinely inspect storm water channels for vegetation build-up or encroachment, trash and debris, silt and gravel build-up, and erosion or bank failure.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-EW-MC-208. Perform a feasibility study for flood-proofing options and analyze the drainage systems countywide.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-FL-MC-125. Acquire, relocate, or elevate residential structures, in particular those that have been identified as Repetitive Loss (RL) properties that are located within the 100-year floodplain.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
There are only two Repetitive Loss structures in
unincorporated areas (Near Ukiah and Navarro). The Navarro structure is considered a Severe Repetitive Loss structure.

Mendocino
County
ma-FL-MC-210. Elevate and retrofit bridges and culverts to allow proper stormwater / 100-YR flows.

Complete New major drainage facilities over blue line streams are designed for the 100-year event. Minor drainage conduits are designed for a 10-year event or better if feasible. There are some segments of County Roads in the floodplain that cannot be elevated, nor can conduits be sized for 100-year
events. Every new replacement project seeks to increase capacity if possible & practicable.

Mendocino
County
ma-FL-MC-213. Draft a Floodplain Management Plan to address countywide flooding and identify specific mitigation projects to reduce the magnitude, frequency, and severity of flooding in Mendocino County.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-FL-MC-215. Adopt higher regulatory standards (including but not limited to freeboard, comp storage, lower substantial damage thresholds, setback, and fill restrictions) as means to reduce future flood risk and support a noadverse-impact (NAI) philosophy to floodplain management.

No Progress -
Continue
Action

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Mendocino
County
ma-PN-MC-222. Assess and institute necessary upgrades to critical facilities to allow for usage during a pandemic, including adequate ventilation and physical barriers.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-PN-MC-223. Institute necessary structural improvements to evacuation centers/sheltering locations to allow for proper ventilation, space for staff, and structural barriers to be used during a pandemic and other hazard events.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-PN-MC-224. Develop alternative sheltering/ evacuation locations for social distancing required during a pandemic and other hazard events.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-SF-MC-139. Construct a lightweight fill prism under roads to prevent the slip plain from further movement and subsequent damage to roads.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
Road prism failures are repaired after failure as best as possible under the constraints of the budget.

Mendocino
County
ma-SF-MC-225. Establish a priority list of slope failure locations and implement slope stabilization projects in the highest risk areas.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-SH-MC-206. Develop educational outreach during the building permit process to raise awareness about the presence of naturally occurring asbestos.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-SH-MC-226. Establish a priority list of coastal erosion locations and implement slope stabilization projects in the highest risk areas.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
This is not a project that the county can lead. The County of Mendocino supports these efforts and could help the state by providing any useful local information.

Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-123. Create and/or help strengthen existing vegetation management programs that provide vegetation management services to No Progress -
No Longer a
These efforts were never led by the county, but instead by the Fire Safe Council. The county fully supports these efforts.

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments elderly, disabled, or low-income property owners who lack the resources to remove flammable vegetation from around their homes.

Mitigation
Priority
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-227. Retrofit critical facilities (adult care, child care, schools, railways) with fire-resistant materials and create defensible space around structures.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-228. Ensure addresses and locations are easily accessible during an emergency, especially in the WUI. Methods include installation of highvisibility address markers, partnering with the County Fire Chief to reduce overlapping, duplicate, or misordered street and address markings, and developing GPS-based locating options for more remote or hard-to-find locations.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-238. Update County Code/ Land Use Regulations/Subdivision Design Guidelines to include design and siting standards to incorporate, for example, emergency response access and turnaround space or fire suppression water needs.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-239. Coordinate with fire protection agencies to develop a vegetation management program to remove understory brush, hazardous trees, and excessive fuels around County roads and evacuation routes.

In Progress
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-287. Implement and continue to re-prioritize Mendocino County CWPP Mitigation Projects and support smaller-scale neighborhood and community plans as appropriate.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-300. Identify and develop a plan and maintenance schedule for key fuel breaks currently existing around population centers and other key resources; develop new fuel breaks as identified.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-301. Continue to support programs to reduce fuel loads in the County, including but not limited to continuing the chipper program, On-Going
Action

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments mastication and removal of fuels, and encouraging prescribed burns when practicable.

Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MC-302. Develop a program to map and manage emerging high-risk fuel sources.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
These efforts were never led by the county, but instead by the Fire Safe Council. The county fully supports these efforts.

City of Ukiah ma-DR-UK-64. Develop a climate action plan and/or drought contingency plan to provide an effective and systematic means of assessing drought conditions, develop mitigation actions and programs to reduce risks of climate change and drought, and develop response options that minimize hardships.

Complete Climate Action Plan Adopted 2024. Drought Resiliency Plan adopted 2020.

City of Ukiah ma-AH-UK-70. Create a GIS-based pre-application review for new construction and major remodels of residential and/or non-residential structures in hazard areas, such as high and/or very high wildfire areas.

On-Going
Action
Prior to 2024, Planning Division staff relied on an ad hoc review process to identify parcels in wildfire, flood, and fault zones. In 2024, the City transitioned to Citizenserve, an electronic permitting system, and began linking permit
reviews with GIS parcel data. In 2025, the City hired a GIS Analyst to support system build-out, ensure regular updates, and maintain hazard data integration. The screening process is now embedded in permit intake, electronically reviewed, and will be continuously maintained.

City of Ukiah ma-AH-UK-276. Construct backup generators at critical facilities (fire stations).

In Progress Ukiah Valley Adventist Health and the Ukiah Valley Conference Center both have backup generators now.

Additionally, backup generators have been purchased for the lift stations in the city. Current North and South Fire Stations would require significant improvements to be able to be wired for generators.

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of Ukiah ma-CC-UK-297. Continue the installation of purple pipes throughout the City to supply untreated irrigation water to City landscaping.

In Progress The City is currently in Phase 4, the final phase of the Recycled Water Project. The project expands recycled water to Vinewood Park, Frank Zeek School, Pomolita soccer fields, Ukiah High, Ukiah Cemetery, Anton Stadium, Giorno Park, Todd Grove Park, Ukiah Golf Course, Ukiah Softball Complex, Oak Manor Elementary, Riverside Park, Ukiah Transfer Station and Recycling Center, and over 700 acres of agriculture.

City of Ukiah ma-DF-UK-73. Develop a public outreach program that informs property owners located in the dam or levee inundation areas about voluntary flood insurance.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
The Office of Emergency Management has limited resources; therefore, we will focus on critical mission essential activities, including preparedness, response, and recovery. Insurance is a mitigation activity outside the scope of the OEM.

City of Ukiah ma-EQ-UK-77. Seismically retrofit or replace public works and/or emergency response facilities that are necessary during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency.

In Progress New Corp Yard is purchased and ready for move-in by early 2026.

City of Ukiah ma-EQ-UK-277. Encourage privately owned critical facilities (e.g., churches, hotels, other gathering facilities) to evaluate the ability of the buildings to withstand earthquakes and to address any deficiencies identified.

On-Going
Action
The City continues to encourage seismic evaluation and
retrofit of privately owned critical facilities such as churches, hotels, and other gathering places. Outreach efforts have included distributing seismic safety guidance, promoting state and federal retrofit resources, and coordinating with
community organizations. While participation remains
voluntary, the City is tracking facilities contacted and referring interested owners to engineering professionals for
evaluation.

City of Ukiah ma-EQ-UK-278. Install seismic gas shut-off valves on County buildings to prevent the flow of gas into buildings during a seismic event.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
N/A

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Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of Ukiah ma-EQ-UK-280. Develop an outreach and education program for owners and tenants in downtown unreinforced masonry buildings to understand earthquake risks and precautions, and, for owners, to understand retrofitting options and available funding mechanisms.

On-Going
Action
City of Ukiah ma-FL-UK-62. Manage vegetation in areas within and adjacent to rights-ofway and in close proximity to critical facilities to reduce the risk of tree failure and property damage and avoid the creation of wind acceleration corridors within vegetated areas.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of Ukiah ma-FL-UK-75. Retrofit wastewater and potable water facilities that are subject to flooding. Retrofitting activities may include elevating vulnerable equipment, electrical controls, and other equipment, fastening and sealing manhole covers to prevent floodwater infiltration, and protecting wells and other potable water from infiltration and flood damage by raising controls and well pipes.

On-Going
Action
Some of the work is ongoing for the foreseeable future, for example, the sealing of manholes. None of the City water facilities flood. WWRP doesn't flood, but access to the plant floods. Secondary access will be developed.

City of Ukiah ma-FL-UK-76. Acquire, relocate, or elevate residential structures, in particular those that have been identified as Repetitive Loss (RL) properties that are located within the 100-year floodplain.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
N/A
City of Ukiah ma-FL-UK-78. Reinforce County and local ramps, bridges, and roads from flooding through protection activities, including elevating the road and installing culverts beneath the road or building a higher bridge across the area that experiences regular flooding.

On-Going
Action
New roads/bridges are constructed using updated FEMA
Flood Maps. Existing roads/bridges are evaluated on an
ongoing basis
City of Ukiah ma-PN-UK-281. Assess and institute necessary upgrades to critical facilities to allow for usage during a pandemic, including adequate ventilation and physical barriers.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
No longer a priority due to limited resources.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
189
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of Ukiah ma-PN-UK-282. Institute necessary structural improvements to evacuation centers/sheltering locations to allow for proper ventilation, space for staff, and structural barriers to be used during a pandemic and other hazard events.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
No longer a priority due to limited resources.

City of Ukiah ma-PN-UK-283. Develop alternative sheltering/evacuation locations for social distancing required during a pandemic and other hazard events.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
City of Ukiah ma-WF-UK-60. Implement a fuel modification program and code requirements.

On-Going
Action
A 7.5 million-dollar grant from the USFS allowed the city to implement a fuels-reduction crew program in 2024. That
program is underway, with various fuel-reduction projects currently in progress.

City of Ukiah ma-WF-UK-74. Create a vegetation management program that provides vegetation management services to elderly, disabled, or low-income property owners who lack the resources to remove flammable vegetation from around their homes.

On-Going
Action
The City has launched a Vegetation Management Program
supported by a $7.5 million U.S. Forest Service grant, which includes establishing a dedicated Fuels Crew to reduce
wildfire risk in the community. While the program does not currently provide direct services to elderly, disabled, or lowincome property owners, Code Enforcement and Fire Prevention staff within the Community Development
Department continue to partner with the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority to promote education and compliance. Staff are also pursuing additional opportunities and partnerships to build on this investment, expand the program’s reach, and better serve vulnerable populations. (ongoing)
City of Ukiah ma-WF-UK-285. Coordinate with the county on designated shelters outside of city limits in the event of wildfire; integrate shelter location information into community outreach.

On-Going
Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
190
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of Ukiah ma-WF-UK-289. Implement CWPP projects in partnership with the county, Fire Safe Council, and CAL FIRE.

On-Going
Action
Please see above regarding the fuel crew.

City of Ukiah ma-WF-UK-296. Develop a cost-share program for residential mitigation and retrofits to be more fireproof.

On-Going
Action
The City supports residential mitigation and retrofits through the Housing Rehabilitation Program, funded by the State of California Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
Program. This program provides low-interest loans and grants to income-qualified households for rehabilitation activities, with loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $80,000. Eligible properties include 1–4 unit residences, whether owneroccupied or rental. While not exclusively focused on wildfire retrofits, the program offers an important funding pathway for home hardening improvements, and staff continue to
explore opportunities to expand cost-share options
specifically for fireproofing measures.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-CC-FB-204. Develop a project to address increased salinity in drinking water intakes due to reduced river levels (drought) paired with king tides, sea level rise, or tsunami effects.

In Progress The city has acquired a desalination unit, but plans to study when retreating inland would be appropriate.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-DR-FB-231. Explore water supply contingency and alternative water supplies to improve water supply and delivery, and wastewater treatment capacity in times of drought.

In Progress The city is piloting a desalination buoy to diversify its water supply. A project is underway to explore water reuse through purple-pipe initiatives. In addition, planning is underway for the construction of three new reservoirs to expand water storage capacity.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-EQ-FB-9. Seismically retrofit or replace public works and/or emergency response facilities that are necessary during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency. Specific needs for the fire department, the corporation yard, and the hospital.

In Progress The city successfully applied for an OES grant for the fire station reconstruction, but was unable to secure the required matching funds. Construction on the hospital has not yet begun, but designs for the new fire department are
completed.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
191
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of Fort
Bragg
ma-EQ-FB-12. Develop an unreinforced masonry grant program to correct problems, such as bracing chimneys, on residential and nonresidential buildings.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes a project
specifically intended to address this issue in select areas.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-EW-FB-13. Install underground utilities or clear right-of-way for utilities that provide power and communication to critical facilities and are at-risk to failure during a winter storm event.

In Progress Development of the municipal broadband utility is in progress. In 2021 City Council passed Resolution 4488-2021, establishing its 6th Underground services district, [District No. 6 – Chestnut Street, be formed between those properties enjoining Chestnut Street on both the North and South side; between the east line of Main Street; and the west line of Ebbing Way] securing $2.2 million dollars of remaining RULE 20 PGE Allocation credits. The underground construction is expected to occur in 2030+.

Additionally, Municipal code 17.88.050 & 18.88.050
establishes requirements for under-grounding utilities in new subdivisions.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-FL-FB-10. Reinforce County and local ramps, bridges, and roads from flooding through protection activities, including elevating the road and installing culverts beneath the road or building a higher bridge across the area that experiences regular flooding.

In Progress Portions of Highway 1 and the Noyo Harbor have been identified as vulnerable in an ongoing sea level rise study.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-FL-FB-232. Develop a public outreach program that informs property owners located in areas of concern for flood, but not necessarily in a flood zone, such as Ocean Lake Mobile Home Park, about voluntary flood insurance.

On-Going
Action

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-PN-FB-233. Develop a comprehensive public outreach program to educate property owners in areas at risk, including those outside official No Progress -
No Longer a

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
192
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments flood zones, about various hazard risks, including flooding, and the benefits of voluntary flood insurance. This program will specifically target communities like Ocean Lake Mobile Home Park to raise awareness and encourage proactive measures for disaster preparedness and risk reduction.

Mitigation
Priority
City of Fort
Bragg
ma-PN-FB-235. Institute necessary structural improvements to evacuation centers/ sheltering locations to allow for proper ventilation, space for staff, and structural barriers to be used during a pandemic and a hazard event.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
A new mitigation project has been established to focus on creating a resilience center for natural hazards.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-PN-FB-236. Develop alternative sheltering/evacuation locations for distancing required during a pandemic and other hazard events.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
A new mitigation project has been established to focus on creating a resilience center for natural hazards.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-SF-FB-237. Retrofit water delivery pipes that are frequently subjected to landslides.

In Progress The Water Distribution Master Plan was finalized and accepted by City Council on 12/8/25. It includes a 10-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) focused on replacing or
rehabilitating pipes identified as potential concerns.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-SF-FB-245. Initiate process to understand landslide susceptibility for emergency egress, including land ownership and Caltrans funding opportunities, both north and west of Fort Bragg. Locations include North Harbor Drive, north of Fort Bragg (Hwy 1), and east of Fort Bragg (Hwy 20).

Complete The city is engaging in a collaborative effort to use logging roads or private roads for emergency evacuations.

City of Fort
Bragg
ma-WF-FB-14. Develop an urban fire prevention program that provides grant funding for property owners to update structures that currently do not meet the CBC and California Fire Code, focusing on areas in the eastern portion of the city.

Complete The state is overseeing this requirement, mandating compliance for all new residential and commercial
construction, as well as for the reconstruction of commercial structures above a specified valuation. The initiative primarily targets the historic downtown area.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
193
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of Point
Arena
ma-AH-PA-211. Assess and retrofit as needed wastewater treatment plant, including for berming that separates wastewater treatment facility from Arena Creek and could be subject to breach in earthquake or with extreme weather events and for other necessary seismic retrofits.

In Progress A sewer study is underway to support the replacement of waterlines.

City of Point
Arena
ma-AH-PA-214. Conduct rechannelization and habitat restoration for Arena Creek along Port Road, where the stream channel has been clogged due to the discontinuation of historic meadows along the creek, causing flooding and blocking egress from Arena Cove.

On-Going
Action
City of Point
Arena
ma-AH-PA-286. Construct backup generators at critical facilities (fire stations, hospital) and sheltering locations to respond to hazard events in loss of power.

In Progress The city has installed a generator at the water plant and is now planning to install another at City Hall.

City of Point
Arena
ma-EQ-PA-41. Seismically retrofit or replace public works and/or emergency response facilities, in particular City Firehouse and City Hall/Law Enforcement/EOC, that are necessary during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency
On-Going
Action
City of Point
Arena
ma-EQ-PA-212. The city will coordinate with Point Arena Water Works to assess the need for seismic retrofitting of the large water tank located upstream of town, and will carry out retrofitting as needed to ensure its resilience.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
The water tank located upstream of town is operated by
Point Arena Water Works. Effective planning will require coordination with both Point Arena Water Works and the
county.

City of Point
Arena
ma-EW-PA-213. Implement Mill Street rain/ flooding projects identified in the recent design study.

Complete Projects completed in 2022.

City of Point
Arena
ma-FL-PA-39. Retrofit wastewater and potable water facilities that are subject to flooding. Retrofitting activities may include elevating vulnerable equipment, electrical controls, and other equipment, fastening and sealing manhole covers to prevent floodwater infiltration, and protecting wells and On-Going
Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
194
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments other potable water from infiltration and flood damage by raising controls and well pipes.

City of Point
Arena
ma-PN-PA-217. Install additional barriers and proper ventilation in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC, City Hall) to allow for the operation of the EOC during a pandemic and hazard events.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
Pandemic mitigation is no longer prioritized over other natural hazards.

City of Point
Arena
ma-PN-PA-218. Develop alternative sheltering/evacuation locations for distancing required during a pandemic and other hazard events.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
Pandemic mitigation is no longer prioritized over other natural hazards.

City of Point
Arena
ma-PN-PA-219. Assess and institute necessary upgrades to critical facilities to allow for usage during a pandemic, including adequate ventilation and physical barriers.

No Progress -
No Longer a
Mitigation
Priority
Pandemic mitigation is no longer prioritized over other natural hazards.

City of Point
Arena
ma-PN-PA-220. Implement necessary structural improvements to evacuation centers and shelter locations to harden facilities against hazard events, including upgrades to roofing, windows, and foundations to enhance durability and ensure continued operation during emergencies.

On-Going
Action
A study is in progress to strengthen City Hall and improve its overall resilience to hazards.

City of Point
Arena
ma-WF-PA-43. Develop a fire road access/roadside vegetation removal program or fuel break program in which live native vegetation should be thinned and/or moved, and dead vegetation should be removed within a 50- foot distance of each side of a road. Roads to be included in this program include those located in high or very high areas of this MHMP or defined by the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council.

On-Going
Action
An annual letter is sent to homeowners advising them on how to maintain defensible space around their properties.

City of
Willits
ma-AH-WL-258. Develop a program that allows for an expedited permitting and review process for backup power generation at facilities that are On-Going
Action
Practiced with PSPS shutdown alarms and lower permit costs for generator permits and projects.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
195
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments considered critical during a natural disaster (grocery stores, gas stations, cell/communication towers).

City of
Willits
ma-AH-WL-259. Develop a program that creates incentives, through expedited permitting/review and reduced/waived permit fees, for homeowners and business owners to retrofit their homes and businesses to be more resilient to natural disasters.

On-Going
Action
We picked up a grant called PLHA to assist homeowners in completing critical care to their homes.

City of
Willits
ma-AH-WL-260. Conduct outreach to the general public to better understand where vulnerable populations live within the City of Willits so that the city can better serve them with hazard-related outreach.

On-Going
Action
We had public meetings on the updated fire plan and
floodplain maps.

City of
Willits
ma-AH-WL-261. Develop a City-wide evacuation plan that identifies alternative evacuation routes in the event of a natural disaster.

Complete We developed an evacuation plan, but it was not adopted.

City of
Willits
ma-AH-WL-263. Install redundant communication systems beyond existing landline, internet, and cell tower infrastructure to enable emergency notification in the event that primary systems are compromised during a natural disaster.

Complete Backup repeaters are installed
City of
Willits
ma-DR-WL-264. Implement water supply contingency projects, explore and acquire alternative water supplies, and retrofit water supply systems in order to improve water supply and delivery and conserve water.

In Progress In the case of an emergency, the city has groundwater systems available.

City of
Willits
ma-DR-WL-265. Replace existing water-intensive landscaping with droughtresistant landscaping.On-Going Action
Some areas of grass were removed and replaced with wood chips in city parks.

City of
Willits
ma-DR-WL-266. Amend land use codes to incorporate regulations that encourage and require water savings for development.

Complete Adopted MWELO
City of
Willits
ma-EQ-WL-101. Seismically retrofit or replace public works and/or emergency response facilities that are necessary during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency.

Complete Brand New Firehouse

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
196
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of
Willits
ma-EQ-WL-267. Install seismic gas shut-off valves on County buildings to prevent the flow of gas into buildings during a seismic event.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-EQ-WL-268. Retrofit / Harden City-owned critical facilities and buildings and their ability to withstand earthquakes.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-EQ--269. Develop a memorandum of agreement/understanding with neighboring cities to share building inspection services in the event of a natural disaster.

Complete We have an on-call contract with BPR consulting group to assist if something of that nature comes to pass.

City of
Willits
ma-EQ-WL-270. Encourage privately owned critical facilities to evaluate the ability of the buildings to withstand earthquakes and to address any deficiencies identified.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-EQ-WL-294. Conduct seismic inspections of City facilities to determine what retrofits are needed to make facilities more resilient to seismic events No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-EW-WL-271. Perform a feasibility study on flood-proofing options and analyze city-wide drainage systems.

In Progress Maps have been created of all city storm drains.

City of
Willits
ma-EW-WL-272. Routinely inspect storm water channels for vegetation buildup or encroachment, trash and debris, silt and gravel build-up, and erosion or bank failure.

On-Going
Action
Yearly, the stormwater channels are inspected and cleaned as necessary.

City of
Willits
ma-EW-WL-273. Implement a tree removal program for trees at high risk of snapping during wind events around city facilities and infrastructure.

On-Going
Action
As of now, trees are just taken care of at public comment or if they become problematic.

City of
Willits
ma-FL-WL-93. Acquire, relocate, or elevate residential structures, in particular those that have been identified as Repetitive Loss (RL) properties that are located within the 100-year floodplain.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
There is one Repetitive Loss structure in the city.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
197
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of
Willits
ma-FL-WL-96. Retrofit wastewater and potable water facilities that are subject to flooding. Retrofitting activities may include elevating vulnerable equipment, electrical controls, and other equipment, fastening and sealing manhole covers to prevent floodwater infiltration, and protecting wells and other potable water from infiltration and flood damage by raising controls and well pipes.

On-Going
Action
City of
Willits
ma-FL-WL-103. Continue to participate in the NFIP program by enforcing the floodplain management ordinance to reduce future flood damage. In addition, join the Community Rating System (CRS) program. A community that participates in additional floodplain management activities, such as those outlined in the CRS program, will reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance rating, and promote awareness of flood insurance.

On-Going
Action
9/1/2022 Updated FEMA maps.

City of
Willits
ma-FL-MCOE-274. Elevate and retrofit bridges and culverts to allow proper stormwater/100-YR flows.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-PN-WL-292. Install additional barriers and proper ventilation in the Emergency Operations Center (EOC, City Hall) to allow for the operation of the EOC during a pandemic and hazard event
No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-PN-WL-293. Develop alternative sheltering/evacuation locations to support distancing requirements during a pandemic and other hazard events.

Complete High school is a secondary evacuation location.

City of
Willits
ma-WF-WL-92. Create a vegetation management program that provides vegetation management services to elderly, disabled, or low-income property owners who lack the resources to remove flammable vegetation from around their homes.

No Progress -
Continue
Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
198
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments City of
Willits
ma-WF-WL-275. Retrofit City facilities with fireproof building materials to better withstand potential impacts of wildfire.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-WF-WL-284. Develop a vegetation management program to remove understory brush and excessive fuels around City roads, evacuation routes, and buildings.

On-Going
Action
Moving and street cleaning of right-of-ways.

City of
Willits
ma-WF-WL-288. Implement Mendocino County CWPP Mitigation Projects (Battalion 2: Willits), including a shaded fuel break to protect the Willits water system, construct a replacement fire station, and replace 1 aging fire apparatus.

No Progress -
Continue
Action
City of
Willits
ma-WF-WL-291. Increase City water supply storage to achieve adequate water pressure throughout the City's system for emergency fire response, and so fire sprinkler systems in buildings can function properly.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-AH-MCOE-169. Integrate annual communications lists, which include amateur radio operators, into the Emergency Operations Plan to mitigate communications failures during regional disasters.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-WF-MCOE-243. Install backup generators at essential district facilities that currently lack backup power.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-AH-MCOE-255. Develop a disaster warning system framework to disseminate information to districts, faculty, students, and families before, during, and after natural hazard events.

On-Going
Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
199
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-DF-MCOE-256. Participate in the countywide warning system program, detailed in MC-199 of Vol. 1 of this HMP, led by the County as a participating jurisdiction.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-DR-MCOE-229. Replace sports fields with irrigated turf grass with artificial turf that doesn't require watering.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-DR-MCOE-230. Retrofit landscape with drought-tolerant plant species and ground cover to minimize water use.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-DR-MCOE-232. Develop a drought management/contingency plan to minimize the adverse impacts of drought on faculty, students, and facilities.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EQ-MCOE-249. Conduct seismic evaluations for buildings on the AB300 List and buildings acquired by the district built prior to 1978 that have not been addressed.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EQ-MCOE-250. Complete DSA Retrofits for non-wood frame structures built before July 1, 1978 (Category 2 Buildings) on the AB300 list that require detailed seismic evaluation.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-EQ-MCOE-251. Repair and Seismically Upgrade, or remove from inventory, and replace with permanent buildings, Portable Classrooms, AND On-Going
Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
200
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Office of
Education
other essential facilities in portable structures. Structurally reinforce (by securing to the ground) certain portable classrooms for seismic conditions, where adequate per Code and cost-effective. Support additional portable classroom requirements in more cost-effective ways than permanent construction.

Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EQ-MCOE-252. Install seismic shut-off valves on gas fixtures on all school facilities.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EQ-MCOE-253. Retrofit non-compliant suspended ceilings in district buildings. This includes Non-Structural Suspended Gypsum Dry-Wall & Cement Plaster Ceilings built 1950-1974.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EQ-MCOE-254. Draft and adopt an emergency operations plan that identifies and plans for alternative transportation routes in case of a natural disaster during school operating hours.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EW-MCOE-209. Implement a tree removal program for trees that are at a high risk of snapping in wind events (i.e., big cypress trees) around OoE facilities and infrastructure.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-FL-MCOE-245. Rehabilitate school site drainage systems. On-Going Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
201
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-EW-MCOE-257. Upgrade HVAC systems that are adequate to handle projected future temperature increases and heat waves.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-FL-MCOE-247. Regrade selected sites to facilitate better drainage. On-Going Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-FL-MCOE-248. Repair and maintain erosion on retention and detention basins for school sites.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-PN-MCOE-244. Assess and implement necessary upgrades to critical facilities to enable use during emergencies, including adequate ventilation, fresh-air options, and physical barriers.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-WF-MCOE-240. Implement a defensible space program that includes clearing of excessive fuels (trees, shrubs, brush) around school and administrative facilities and the installation of landscaping materials that create defensible space.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
Office of
Education
ma-WF-MCOE-241. Enhance building ventilation systems for wildfire smoke by improving air filtration options.

On-Going
Action
Mendocino
County
ma-WF-MCOE-242. Retrofit school facilities with fireproof building materials to better withstand potential impacts of wildfire.

On-Going
Action

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2021 Mitigation Action Status Reporting
202
Local
Government Mitigation Action 2026 Status Additional Comments Office of
Education

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
203
Appendix C – 2026 Mitigation Actions
TABLE 25 Includes the full details for all new mitigation actions in this updated 2026 HMP. It should be noted that for potential funding source(s), reference to a “local” fund includes both staff time and local operating budgets. Projects that are on-going reference 2031 as the completion year, as that is when this hazard mitigation plan will be next updated.

Acronyms used on the following pages include:
• BOR - Bureau of Reclamation
• CALeVIP - California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project / Fast Charge California Project
• CASF - California Advanced Services Fund
• CEC – California Clean Transportation Program
• CDBG - Community Development Block Grant
• CDBG-MIT RIP - Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation Resilient Infrastructure Program
• CDP - Coastal Development Permit
• CEQA - California Environmental Quality Act
• CIPP - Cure-in-Place Pipe
• CWSRF - California Clean Water State Revolving Fund
• DEBA – California Distributed Electricity Backup Assets (DEBA) Program • DWR - Division of Water Resources
• DWSRF - Drinking Water State Revolving Fund
• EIR - Environmental Impact Report
• EOC - Emergency Operations Center
• EOP - Emergency Operations Plan
• FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency
• FHWA – FLHP – Federal Highway Administration – Federal Lands Highway Program • FPDs – Fire Protection Districts
• GIS – Geographic Information Systems
• GO Bonds – General Obligation Bonds
• HAM (Radio) – Amateur Radio
• HHPD – High Hazard Potential Dam
• HMGP – Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• ISRF - Infrastructure State Revolving Fund
• IT – Information Technology
• ICARP - Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program • LCP - Local Coastal Program

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
204
• LIDAR – Light Detection and Ranging
• LUP - Land Use Plan
• MCOG - Mendocino Council of Governments
• MCFSC – Mendocino County Fire Safe Council
• MIP - Microgrid Incentive Program
• MOUs – Memoranda of Understanding
• NAI - No-adverse-impact
• NEVI - California’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program • NGWS – Next Generation Warning System Grant Program
• NFIP – National Flood Insurance Program
• OES – Office of Emergency Services
• OPC - Ocean Protection Council
• PD – Police Department
• PRRM – Prevention, Recovery, Resiliency, and Mitigation • SGIP – California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program • STIP – State Transportation Improvement Program
• PGE (PG&E) – Pacific Gas and Electric Company
• UCCE - University of California Cooperative Extension • USDA – United States Department of Agriculture
• UVBGSA - Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency • WUI – Wildland-Urban Interface

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
205
Table 25 2026 Mitigation Actions
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
County of
Mendocino
(ME1) Complete Update to the Local Coastal Program and Continued Program Implementation. Mendocino County’s Local Coastal Program (LCP) has not been comprehensively updated since it was certified by the California Coastal Commission in 1992. The on-going update will include revisions to the Coastal Element of the General Plan (Land Use Plan, “LUP”) and Coastal Zoning Code (Implementation Program, “IP”). The overall goal of the project is to improve local coastal planning in Mendocino County to better address coastal resiliency and climate change adaptation by updating technical studies, descriptions, policies, maps, and the implementation plan for the LCP in order to adapt to the impacts of climate change, sea level rise, and associated coastal hazards while maintaining the overall quality of the coastal zone environment in the interest of all people.

Planning & Building
Director
Cities of Fort
Bragg and
Point Arena,
Noyo Harbor
District
Coastal Hazards All Medium 2026 Local, LCP
Local
Assistance
Grant
County of
Mendocino
(ME2) Review and Identify Priority Projects from the Sea Level Rise Impact Assessment. A sea level rise study for Mendocino County is being conducted by the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) to identify and prioritize coastal roads at risk from flooding and erosion. The study will assess impacts on infrastructure, potential solutions, and develop preliminary cost estimates for roadway modifications.

Planning & Building
Director
City of Fort
Bragg
Coastal Hazards 1,2,3 Medium 2026 Local, Ocean
Protection
Council (OPC)
County of
Mendocino
(ME3) Coyote Valley Dam Response Plan. HHPD: As part of the upcoming Flood Response Plan, develop a chapter devoted to the Coyote Valley Dam inundation.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Cities and Local
FPDs in
impacted area
Dam and Levee Incident 1,2,3,4,6 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HHPD
County of
Mendocino
(ME4) Public Dam/Levee Risk Educational Campaign. Develop an educational campaign to inform at-risk populations annually during the Spring about inundation risk and voluntary flood insurance. Utilize all of the county's messaging tools including social media and targeted mailings and communications. (past action ma-DF-MC-126)
Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Dam and Levee Incident 1,2,3,5 Medium 2027 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME5) Coordination with Local Water Providers. Support water districts, cities, the UVBGSA, or any other relevant agency in their infrastructure projects by encouraging, helping to facilitate coordination, assisting in identifying available grant funding, drafting letters of support, etc.

Because the county is not a water purveyor, it likely would not take on any actual infrastructure projects, but rather serve in a support role to the water purveyor. The Water Agency has identified a related new mitigation action relating to a water supply study that could help inform those infrastructure projects.

Deputy Director of
Transportation –
Solid Waste Division
& Water Agency
Drought 1,2,4 Medium 2031 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
206
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
County of
Mendocino
(ME6) Improving Understanding of County’s Water Supply Resources and Hydrogeology. Conduct countywide groundwater and geomorphology studies, well inventories, or additional groundwater monitoring and public outreach to fill existing data gaps. These efforts will enhance the understanding of local water supply systems and hydrogeology through coordination with relevant agencies, water entities, and the Ukiah Valley Basin Groundwater Sustainability Agency (UVBGSA). These efforts will support more informed water management decisions and long-term drought resilience planning.

Deputy Director of
Transportation –
Solid Waste Division
& Water Agency
Local Water
Entities,
UVBGSA
Drought 4,5,6 Medium 2031 Local, State
Prop 9
Programs,
DWR (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
County of
Mendocino
(ME7) Include a Coastal Groundwater Study within the Local Coastal Program Update. Review study results and identify mitigation actions to prioritize for the hazard of drought.

Planning & Building
Director
Drought 1,2,4 High 2030 Local, LCP
Local
Assistance
Grant
County of
Mendocino
(ME8) Drought Resistant. Replace existing turf grass and water intensive landscaping with drought resistant landscaping. (past action ma-DR-MC198) Facilities
Superintendent
Drought 2,3 Low 2030 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME50) Land Use Updates - Water Efficiency. Amend land use codes to incorporate regulations that encourage and incentive water savings for development. (ma-DR-MC-197)
Planning and
Building Director
Drought 2,6 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME59) Public Water Conservation Campaign. Develop a public education campaign to encourage water conservation during drought. (ma-DR-MC196) Deputy Director of
Transportation –
Solid Waste Division
& Water Agency
Drought 1,2,4,5 Low 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME9) Coordinating Countywide MOUs for All Districts. Create formalized MOUs for all school districts.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Office of
Education
Earthquake 4 Low 2028 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME10) Gas Shut-Off Valves on County Buildings. Install seismic gas shut-off valves on county buildings to prevent the flow of gas into structures during a seismic event. (ma-EQ-MC-203)
Facilities
Superintendent
Earthquake 1,2,3 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME11) Seismic Assessments and Retrofits. Conduct a seismic assessment of vulnerabilities to county facilities and infrastructure. Retrofit / harden OES and other county facilities (including water & sewer infrastructure) to improve the ability for these structures and infrastructure to withstand earthquakes.

Facilities
Superintendent
Earthquake 1,2,3 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME60) Ramp & Bridge Seismic Retrofits. Seismically retrofit or replace County and local ramps and bridges that are categorized as structurally deficient by Caltrans, identified as needing replacement by the County, are located in an high ground shaking areas, and/or are necessary for first Deputy Director of
Transportation -
Engineering
Earthquake 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local, CDBGMIT RIP, FEMA
HMGP

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
207
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
responders to use during and/or immediate after a disaster or emergency. (ma-EQ-MC-127)
County of
Mendocino
(ME61) Private Critical Facility Seismic Assessments. Encourage privately owned critical facilities (e.g. churches, hotels, other gathering facilities) to evaluate the ability of the buildings to withstand earthquakes and to address any deficiencies identified. (ma-EQ-MC-200)
Chief Building Official Earthquake 1,2,3,5 Low 2031 Local County of
Mendocino
(ME62) Seismic Hardening of County-owned Critical Facilities.

Retrofit/harden county-owned critical facilities (including water & sewer infrastructure) and buildings for their ability to withstand earthquakes. (ma-EQ-MC-201)
Facilities
Superintendent
Earthquake 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local, CDBGMIT RIP, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME63) County Facility Ceiling Retrofits. Retrofit non-compliant suspended ceilings in county buildings. This includes non-structural suspended gypsum dry-wall & cement plaster ceilings built 1950-1974. (ma-EQ-MC-202) Facilities
Superintendent
Earthquake 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local, CDBGMIT RIP, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME12) Cold/Freeze Mitigation Producer Educational Campaign. Develop an annual Spring outreach campaign. The goal to educate producers on solutions to mitigate losses from cold / freeze events.

County Agriculture
Commissioner
UCCE
Extension,
Farm Bureau
Extreme Cold or Freeze 1,2,5 Medium 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME13) Cooling Centers and Stations in Population Centers. Specific concerns in Anderson Valley / Boonville. County to evaluate the Admin and Library buildings for the need for backup generators if able to serve as designated cooling centers. Consider integrating charging stations as well.

Centers could also serve as community resilience centers, a concept currently being piloted within the state.

Public Health Officer Facilities, Cities Extreme Heat 1,3 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP,
Governor’s
Office of Land
Use and
Climate
Innovation,
Extreme Heat
and
Community
Resilience
Program
County of
Mendocino
(ME14) Flood Management Plan. Develop a Floodplain Management & Flood Response Plan to address countywide flooding. Identify specific mitigation projects to reduce the magnitude, frequency, and severity of flooding in Mendocino County. (ma-FL-MC-213)
Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Cities and Local
FPDs in
impacted area
Flood (inland) 1,2,3,4 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA

HMGP, DWR
County of
Mendocino
(ME16) Flood Proofing Assessment & Retrofits. Perform a feasibility study of flood proofing options for county facilities and analyze the drainage systems of all county facilities. (past action ma-EW-MC-208) Facilities
Superintendent
Flood (inland) 1,2,3,4 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME17) Higher Regulatory Standards. Adopt higher regulatory standards (including but not limited to freeboard, comp storage, lower substantial damage thresholds, setback and fill restrictions) as means to reduce future Chief Building Official Flood (inland) All Medium 2028 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
208
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
flood risk and support a no-adverse-impact (NAI) philosophy to floodplain management.

County of
Mendocino
(ME64) Stormwater Channels Within the County Right-of-Ways Inspection Program. Routinely inspect stormwater channels for vegetation build up or encroachment, trash and debris, silt and gravel build up, and erosion or bank failure. (ma-EW-MC-207)
Deputy Director of
Transportation -
Engineering
Flood (inland) 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME18) Slope Failure Location Inventory. Establish a priority list of slope failure locations and implement slope stabilization projects in the highest risk areas. (past action ma-SF-MC-225)
Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Mass Earth Movements 1,2,3,4 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME19) Roadway Vegetation & Tree Management Program. Develop a program to manage vegetation and trees in areas within rights-of-way for traffic operations (sight distance & load clearance. (past action ma-WS-MC118) Deputy Director of
Transportation –
Maintenance
Services
Severe Storms 1,2,3 High 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME20) Critical Facility Vegetation & Tree Management Program. Develop a program to manage vegetation and trees in areas in close proximity to critical facilities in order to reduce the risk of tree failure and property damage and avoid the creation of wind acceleration corridors within vegetated areas. (past action ma-WS-MC-118)
Facilities
Superintendent
Severe Storms 1,2,3 High 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME22) Update Tsunami Sirens. All four tsunami sirens require either maintenance or replacement.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Tsunami 3,4,5 High 2028 Local, FEMA

HMGP, NGWS
County of
Mendocino
(ME23) County Road Evacuation Route Signage. Primary focus areas are Nash Ranch, the Navarro Area, Baldwin Hills, and Anderson Valley / Boonville
Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire 1,2,3,5 Low 2030 Local, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME24) Develop New & Maintain Fuel Breaks. Identify and develop a plan and maintenance schedule for key fuel breaks currently existing around population centers and other key resources; develop new fuel breaks as identified. One current priority is a shaded fuel break in Hopland. (ma-WFMC-300) Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire All High 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME25) Evacuation Route Construction. As needed to ensure multiple ingress/egress routes from neighborhoods. Ukiah, Redwood Valley Calpella, and Round Valley/Covelo are particular areas of focus. Per the prioritized list other areas of focus include: Brooktrails, Mitchell Creek, East Hills Ukiah, Russian River Estates, and Potter Valley. Other specifics from Prepare CA efforts included: Anderson Valley/Boonville and Willits (Second Access out of Brooktrails, Tomki in Pine Mountain Area, Willits Creek Rd., Old Mill, and Ridge Rd at the top of Brooktrails subdivision). (ma-AH-MC299) Deputy Director of
Transportation –
Land Improvement
Division (LID)
DOT Wildfire 1,2,3,5,6 High 2031 Local – Special
Benefit
Assessment
Districts
County of
Mendocino
(ME26) Evacuation Route Maintenance & Planning. Greatest concern with communities having only one ingress/egress route. Specific areas included Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
OES Wildfire 2,3,4,5 High 2031 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
209
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
surrounding Ukiah, Willits, and the following roads around Hopland (Mountain House Rd, US 101, Hwy 175, La Franchi Rd, Redemeyer Rd).

County of
Mendocino
(ME27) Fire Road Atlas. Development of a Fire Road Atlas to inform planning efforts.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Cities, FPDs,

DOT (LID), GIS
Wildfire 3,4 High 2030 Local, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME28) Fire-Hazard Abatement Ordinance Implementation Planning and Capacity Building. The project aims to enhance public safety and reduce the risk of wildfires by developing a comprehensive and enforceable strategy for managing hazardous vegetation and combustible materials. Key tasks include researching best practices from other jurisdictions, analyzing the existing County ordinance (Chapter 8.77), and creating a tailored fuel abatement strategy specific to Mendocino County's rural context. The goal is to explore how other communities enforce hazardous fuel abatement for public safety, analyze existing ordinances, recommend a strategy for the county's program, and update ordinance language while estimating implementation resources.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Cities, Code
Enforcement,
FPDs
Wildfire All High 2027 Local, CDBGMIT RIP
County of
Mendocino
(ME29) Fuels Reduction and Community Preparedness. Project goals include implementation of roadside fuels reduction in key areas, completion of CEQA analysis for five future projects to streamline implementation, and funding the Mendocino County Community Chipper Days program for three additional years (225 days, serving 1,575 residents). The project will treat 66.2 acres in Covelo and Dos Rios, protecting 100-150 homes. The proposed CEQA projects (Branscomb, Black Bart Trail, Redwood Ridge, Old River Road, Hopland) aim to clear approximately 207 acres and enhance future funding opportunities.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire 1,2,3,5,6 High 2026 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL

FIRE, CA
Climate
Investments
Wildfire
Prevention
County of
Mendocino
(ME30) Hazardous Fuels Reduction. Priority locations include: Anderson Valley/Boonville (removal of eucalyptus trees along road, Bell Springs Road (first four miles), Branscomb & Old River Road, Covelo Airport (control burn), Leggett (in coordination with Team Rubicon), Redwood Valley Calpella, and Round Valley/Covelo (along Highway 162)
Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
CAL FIRE, FPDs,
MCFSC
Wildfire 1,2,3,5,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME31) Home Hardening / Fuels Management. The project intends a Phase 1 scoping project to design a Phase 2 program focused on home hardening and fuels management. Phase 1 involves hiring consultants, LIDAR mapping, public outreach, screening homes for fire hardening, identifying fuels treatment methods, site inspections, CEQA analysis, budget revisions, and report delivery. Phase 2 scope includes approximately 750 residential home retrofits using ignition-resistant construction materials and defensible space establishment, and approximately 1,520 acres of hazardous fuels reduction, including grazing, to build community resiliency to future wildfire events in the Brooktrails/Sherwood Corridor, targeted Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire 1,2,3,5 High 2027 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
210
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
fuels reduction around City of Willits water treatment plant, with a specific target of at least 300 acres of grazing for fuels reduction and at least 5 acres of invasive species removal.

County of
Mendocino
(ME32) Lifeline Hardening Assessments. Provide hardening assessments to public critical facilities (adult care, child care, schools, and railway infrastructure) to identify recommended mitigation.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
FPDs Wildfire 1,2,3 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME33) Orr Springs Road Fuels Reduction (Phase 1). Project reduces hazardous fuels along Orr Springs Road/Comptche-Ukiah Road to improve ingress and egress and aid in evacuations and access during fire events.

Phase 1 includes hiring a project management contractor, completing a route survey to identify trees for removal, engaging with landowners on 183 parcels for access agreements, and developing an operations plan with revised project maps and CEQA review actions.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire 1,2,3,5,6 High 2026 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME34) Eastside Potter Valley Road Widening Project (MP 2.61 to 6.42).

Widen for safety, emergency access, and evacuation
Deputy Director of
Transportation -
Engineering
Wildfire 1,3 Medium 2030 Local, STIP,

FHWA - FLHP
County of
Mendocino
(ME35) Redwood Complex Ignition-Resistant Construction, Phase 2 - Batch

2. Project entails replacing flammable roofing materials with ignition resistant roofing materials for properties within Mendocino County to help improve community resiliency in the face of wildfire.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire 1,2,3,5 High 2026 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME36) Road Addressing, Signage, & Mapping. Ensure addresses and locations are easily accessed during emergency, especially in the WUI.

Methods include installation of high visibility street signs and address markers, partnering with County Fire Chiefs to reduce overlapping, duplicate, or misordered street and address markings. (ma-WF-MC-228) Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
County Fire
Chiefs, MCFSC
Wildfire All High 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME37) Support External Programs to Reduce Fuel Loads. Continue to support programs to reduce fuel loads in the county, including but not limited to continuing the chipper program, mastication and removal of fuels, and encouraging prescribed burns when practicable. (ma-WF-MC301) Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire All High 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME54) Critical Facility Hardening and Defensible Space. Retrofit critical facilities (adult care, child care, schools, railways) with fire-resistant materials and create defensible space around structures. (ma-WF-MC-227) Facilities
Superintendent
Wildfire 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME56) Vegetation Management Program. Coordinate with fire protection agencies to develop vegetation management program to remove understory brush, hazardous trees, invasive species, and excessive fuels around county roads and evacuation routes. (ma-WF-MC-239) Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire 1,2,3,4,6 Low 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
211
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
County of
Mendocino
(ME67) CWPP Implementation & Support. Implement and continue to reprioritize Mendocino County CWPP Mitigation Projects and support smaller scale neighborhood and community plans as appropriate. (ma-WF-MC-287) Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Wildfire All Low 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME38) 911 Switching Equipment. Project entails the purchase and installation of an approximately 760-square-foot prefabricated bunker-type structure (bunker) to house 911 switching equipment, the replacement of the existing building electrical panels, and a new generator.

Facilities
Superintendent
IT Multiple 1,2,3,4,5 High 2026 Local, CDBGMIT RIP
County of
Mendocino
(ME39) Resiliency Center Development. The county will coordinate with local communities to develop formalized resiliency centers within existing public buildings.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Multiple 4,5 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP,
Governor’s
Office of Land
Use and
Climate
Innovation
County of
Mendocino
(ME40) Community-Based Emergency Preparedness Program. Program will focus on education relating to the public's need to sustain themselves for 72-hours following disaster events (cots, non-perishable food, supplies, etc.).

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Multiple 1,3,5 High 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME41) Critical Generators Mitigation Project. Project ensures county continuity of operations during power outages due to public safety power shutoffs and disaster events. Phase 1 deliverables will include procurement for a design consultant, regulatory permitting where needed, project design for finalizing each site's generator capacity and site design, and other administrative tasks to install generators at five County facilities.

Facilities
Superintendent
Prevention,
Recovery,
Resiliency, &
Mitigation
(PRRM)
Multiple 1,2,3 High 2026 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME42) Emergency Warning Siren Feasibility and Installation Project (Phase 1). Project address the county's multiple hazards through the installation and management of early warning sirens. Phase 1 deliverables include conducting site specific workplans, mapping and land use planning, permitting and environmental activities. Phase II pending FEMA review.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Redwood
Valley Fire
Department
Multiple 3,4,5 Low 2026 Local, FEMA

HMGP, NGWS
County of
Mendocino
(ME43) Grants Capacity Building. The objective of the capacity building grant is to establish a Grants Unit within the Executive Office. This unit will improve the processes of grant research, application development, and reporting. The initiative will include acquiring grant management software and hiring consultants to provide technical expertise and assist with grant writing.

Grants Unit
Administrative
Analyst
Multiple 4 High 2029 Local, CalOES
Prepare CA
Jumpstart
County of
Mendocino
(ME44) Microwave (Repeater Site) Hardening. Harden repeater sites to ensure uninterrupted communications.

Facilities
Superintendent
IT Multiple 1,2,3,4 Medium 2027 Local, CDBGMIT RIP,
NGWS

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
212
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
County of
Mendocino
(ME45) Microwave and Radio Communication System Enhancements.

Project entails improved reliability and resiliency of microwave and radio communications systems through procurement and installation of higher capacity, upgraded microwave equipment (16 sites to receive upgraded equipment).

Communications
Coordinator
Multiple 1,2,3,4 High 2026 Local, CDBGMIT RIP,
NGWS
County of
Mendocino
(ME46) Mobile Communications Van. Purchase a utility van equipped with HAM radio & other emergency communication tools. This will ensure the dissemination of vital communication, and effective event response and deployment of services.

Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Multiple 1,2,3,4 High 2028 PGE, NGWS
County of
Mendocino
(ME47) Natural Hazard Mitigation Educational Campaign. Develop a public outreach program that distributes consistent hazard mitigation content and mitigation tips for property owners. Engagement will utilize regular (monthly) social media posts and booths at annual public events (County Fair, Pumpkin Fest, etc.). (ma-AH-MC-134)
Chief Recovery &
Resiliency Officer
Multiple All Medium 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME48) Cave Creek & Tomki Creek Crossings. Implement design for the evacuation route improvements within Tomki (secondary egress Willits to Ukiah).

Deputy Director of
Transportation -
Engineering
Prevention,
Recovery,
Resiliency, &
Mitigation
(PRRM), OES
Multiple 1,2,3 High 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP
County of
Mendocino
(ME49) Westport / Whale Gulch Repeater. This is currently a dead area for communications. Can put repeater on existing pole.

Communications
Coordinator
Multiple 1,2,3,4 High 2030 Local, CDBGMIT RIP
County of
Mendocino
(ME51) Critical Facility Upgrades (Pandemic). Assess and institute necessary upgrades to critical facilities to allow for usage during pandemic, including adequate ventilation and physical barriers. (ma-PN-MC-222) Facilities
Superintendent
Multiple 1,2,3 Low 2029 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME52) Shelter Upgrades (Pandemic). Institute necessary structural improvements to evacuation centers/sheltering locations to allow for proper ventilation, space for staff, and structural barriers to be used during pandemic and hazard event. (ma-PN-MC-223)
Facilities
Superintendent
Multiple 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME53) Alternative Sheltering Locations. Develop alternative sheltering/ evacuation locations for social distancing required during pandemic and other hazard event. (ma-PN-MC-224)
Social Services -
Senior Program
Manager
Multiple 1,2,3 Low 2029 Local
County of
Mendocino
(ME55) Code Updates for Response Improvements. Update County Code/ Land Use Regulations/Subdivision Design Guidelines to include design and siting standards to incorporate, for example, emergency response access and turn around space or fire suppression water needs. (ma-WF-MC-238) Planning and
Building Director
Multiple 1,2,3,6 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
County of
Mendocino
(ME57) Class K Structure Owner Education. Develop an education program to inform both existing Class K structure owners and applicants of building permits for Class K structures of the inherent risks of such structures to all natural hazards. (ma-AH-MC-205)
Planning and
Building Director
Multiple 1,2,3,5,6 Low 2031 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
213
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
County of
Mendocino
(ME65) Asbestos Awareness. Develop educational outreach during the building permit process to raise awareness about the presence naturally occurring asbestos. (ma-SH-MC-206)
Planning and
Building Director
Multiple 1,3,5 Low 2031 Local
City of Fort Bragg (FB1) Assess and Reinforce Vulnerable Sections of the Raw Water Line.

Assess and reinforce vulnerable sections of the raw water line at risk of erosion. Implement protective measures—such as bank stabilization or rerouting—to prevent breaks that could disrupt the city’s water supply.

Director of Public
Works
Coastal Hazards 1,4,6 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
USDA
City of Fort Bragg (FB2) Cure-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) Relining Program. Implement a Cure-InPlace Pipe (CIPP) relining program to internally strengthen aging wastewater pipelines. This approach will improve the integrity and resilience of the sewer system—critical as approximately one-third of the city’s wastewater gravity flows into the harbor, where it is then pumped to the City Wastewater Treatment Plant—reducing the risk of leaks, ruptures, and environmental contamination.

Director of Public
Works
Noyo Harbor
District
Coastal Hazards 1,2,6 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Fort Bragg (FB3) Coastal Hazards Mitigation Educational Campaign. Implement a focused public education program to inform vulnerable populations about evacuation procedures, timing, and routes. Use multilingual materials and accessible communication channels to ensure all community members understand how and when to evacuate safely during emergencies.

City Emergency
Manager
Coastal Hazards 3,5 Medium 2029 Local
City of Fort Bragg (FB35) Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Inflow Sewer Main Replacement. This project, identified in the Ft. Bragg Wastewater Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) document, will increase 2,305 FT of 30- inch pipe diameter to 42-inch. This is the last stretch of sewer main connecting the entire collection system to the WWTP, which is both undersized and past its life expectancy.

Director of Public
Works
Coastal Hazards 2,3 High 2028 Local, CWSRF
City of Fort Bragg (FB4) Remediation Action Plan for Operable Unit E (OU-E) Site. Complete an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and obtain a Coastal Development Permit (CDP) for the California Department of Toxic Substance and Control (DTSC) Remediation Action Plan for OU-E site. The site includes 10 manmade ponds, wetland and riparian areas, including a dam. This process will ensure regulatory compliance and environmental protection.

Director of
Community
Development
Dam and Levee Incident 1,6 High 2027 Local, DWR,
BOR
City of Fort Bragg (FB5) Design New Water Reservoirs. Develop designs and plans for three new water reservoirs to increase storage capacity. These reservoirs will capture excess water during wet months and provide a reliable supply during dry periods, enhancing water security and drought resilience.

Director of Public
Works
Drought 1,2,6 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
DWR — Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
214
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
Community
Drought Relief
Program
City of Fort Bragg (FB8) Implementation of Water Master Plan. Continue Implementation of Water Infrastructure Projects - Water Master Plan Projects, including Construction of three new storage reservoirs, Recycled Water Reclamation (Purple pipe), distribution system rehabilitation, raw water line replacement, and Newman Pump Station Construction.

Director of Public
Works
Drought 1,4,5 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
DWR — Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program
City of Fort Bragg (FB10) Raw Water Pipeline. Complete the reconstruction of the Raw Water Pipeline, which delivers source water to the water treatment plant.

Construct the Newman Pump Station to pump water from the Noyo River to the new storage reservoirs.

Director of Public
Works
Drought 1,2,6 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
DWR — Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program
City of Fort Bragg (FB6) Feasibility Study for Desalination Project. Conduct a feasibility study exploring the use of offshore buoys and infrastructure for a future ocean water desalination project. This study will assess environmental impacts, technical requirements, and potential benefits to diversify the city’s water supply.

Director of Public
Works
Drought 2,4,6 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
DWR — Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program
City of Fort Bragg (FB7) Feasibility Study for Use of Purple Pipe System. Conduct a feasibility study on the use of the purple pipe system to treat and recycle wastewater into potable water. This study will evaluate technical, environmental, and Director of Public
Works
Drought 1,2,6 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
215
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
regulatory factors to advance sustainable water reuse and reduce demand on traditional water sources.

DWR — Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program
City of Fort Bragg (FB9) Study on Water Supply Contingency. Explore water supply contingency and alternative water supplies to improve water supply and delivery, and wastewater treatment capacity in times of drought. (past action ma-DR-FB-231)
Director of Public
Works
Drought 1,2,4 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, DWR,

BOR, USDA
City of Fort Bragg (FB11) Water and Sewer Distribution Line Improvements. Harden water and sewer distribution lines from the treatment facility by reinforcing and protecting critical pipelines, reducing vulnerability to damage. Hardening will mainly be completed through CIPP lining. Additionally, undersized water mains will be removed and replaced. This project is identified in the Ft. Bragg Wastewater Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) document.

Director of Public
Works
Earthquake 1,2,6 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP,
Drinking
Water State
Revolving
Fund (DWSRF)
Construction,
USDA
City of Fort Bragg (FB13) Seismically Retrofit Public Works and Emergency Response Facilities.

Seismically retrofit or replace public works and/or emergency response facilities that are necessary during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency. Specific needs for the fire department, the corporation yard, and the hospital. (past action ma-EQ-FB-9)
Director of Public
Works/Engineering
Earthquake 3,4 High 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Fort Bragg (FB14) Veteran Hall EOC. Renovate and seismically retrofit the Veteran Halls to be used as an Official Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to improve coordination and response during emergencies and provide ongoing community support.

City Emergency
Manager
Earthquake 1,3,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP,
Emergency
Operations
Center Grant
Program,
Governor’s
Office of Land
Use and
Climate
Innovation
City of Fort Bragg (FB15) Community Resilience Center. Construct a Community Resilience Center to improve coordination and response during emergencies and provide ongoing community support.

City Emergency
Manager
Earthquake 1,3,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP,
Emergency

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
216
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
Operations
Center Grant
Program,
Governor’s
Office of Land
Use and
Climate
Innovation
City of Fort Bragg (FB12) Seismic Retrofit Project for City Hall East. Implement a seismic retrofit project for City Hall East to enhance structural resilience against earthquakes.

Director of Public
Works
Earthquake 3,4 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
General
Obligation
(GO) Bonds
for Public
Buildings
City of Fort Bragg (FB16) Guest House Museum Seismic Retrofit. Rehabilitation of the existing brick foundation and chimneys on the Guest House Museum as well as upgrading the windows.

Director of Public
Works
Earthquake 3,4 Medium 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
General
Obligation
(GO) Bonds
for Public
Buildings
City of Fort Bragg (FB17) Develop and Implement an Evacuation Plan for the Ocean Lake Adult Mobile Home Community. Develop a formal Evacuation Plan for the Ocean Lake Adult Mobile Home Community and conduct a targeted public education campaign to ensure residents understand evacuation routes, procedures, and emergency communication methods.

City Emergency
Manager
Private
Homeowners
Flood (inland) 3,5 Medium 2029 Local
City of Fort Bragg (FB18) Flood Mitigation Educational Campaign. Develop and implement a Public Education Program on Flood Risks annually in the spring, leveraging existing public outreach events and social media platforms to share information, increase community awareness, and promote preparedness for flood-related emergencies.

City Emergency
Manager
Flood (inland) 5,6 Medium 2029 Local
City of Fort Bragg (FB19) Flood Mitigation Educational Campaign for Ocean Lake Adult Mobile Home Community. Develop a comprehensive public outreach program to educate property owners in areas at risk—including those outside official flood zones—about various hazard risks, including flooding, and the benefits of voluntary flood insurance. This program will specifically target communities like Ocean Lake Mobile Home Park to raise awareness and City Manager Flood (inland) 1,5 High 2026 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
217
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
encourage proactive measures for disaster preparedness and risk reduction. (past action ma-FL-FB-232)
City of Fort Bragg (FB20) Reinforce Transportation Infrastructure. Reinforce county and local ramps, bridges, and roads from flooding through protection activities, including elevating the road and installing culverts beneath the road or building a higher bridge across the area that experiences regular flooding. (past action ma-FL-FB-10)
Director of Public
Works/Engineering
Flood (inland) 2,4,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CDBG
DRI
City of Fort Bragg (FB21) Enhancement and Hardening of Water Delivery Systems.

Enhancement and Hardening of Water Delivery Systems on Steep Slopes to Ensure Reliable Service and Minimize Vulnerabilities During Hazard Events.

Director of Public
Works
Mass Earth Movements 1,6 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
USDA
City of Fort Bragg (FB23) Landslide Susceptibility Study. Initiate process to understand landslide susceptibility for emergency egress, including land ownership and Caltrans funding opportunities. Locations include North Harbor Drive, north of Fort Bragg (Hwy 1), and east of Fort Bragg (Hwy 20).

Director of Public
Works
Mass Earth Movements 1,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
USDA
City of Fort Bragg (FB26) Underground Utilities. Install underground utilities or clear right-ofway for utilities that provide power and communication to critical facilities and are at-risk to failure during a winter storm event. (past action ma-EWFB-13) Director of Public
Works
Severe Storms 1,3,6 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CDBG
DRI
City of Fort Bragg (FB24) Development of an Internet and Communications Redundancy Plan.

Development of an Internet and Communications Redundancy Plan to Ensure Continuous Connectivity and Reliable Communication During Emergencies.

City Emergency
Manager
Severe Storms 2,3,4 High 2030 Local,
California
Advanced
Services Fund
(CASF)
Broadband
Infrastructure
Grant Account
City of Fort Bragg (FB25) Installation of Backup Generators at Fuel Stations. Installation of Backup Generators at Fuel Stations to Maintain Critical Fuel Supply During Power Outages.

City Emergency
Manager
Severe Storms 1,2 High 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Fort Bragg (FB28) Upgrade and Modernize the Tsunami Siren System. Upgrade and Modernize the Tsunami Siren System at Ocean View RV Park in Coordination with County Authorities to Enhance Early Warning Capabilities.

City Emergency
Manager
County of
Mendocino
Tsunami 3,5 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Fort Bragg (FB27) Develop a Project to Mitigate Increased Salinity in Drinking Water Intakes. Develop a Project to Mitigate Increased Salinity in Drinking Water Intakes Caused by Reduced River Levels from Drought, Combined with Sea Level Rise and Tsunami Impacts.

Director of Public
Works
Tsunami 3,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, BOR,
USDA

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
218
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
City of Fort Bragg (FB30) Fire Flow Deficiency Projects. Implementation of "Fire Flow Deficiency" projects identified in the 2025 Water Distribution System Master Plan, including the Willow Street Pump Station upgrade and the Cedar Street Water Line Replacement Projects, is necessary to ensure pressure and pipe velocities during fire flow conditions meet expected growth conditions. The Master Plan includes additional fire flow deficiency projects which should be undertaken after these two priority projects are completed.

Director of Public
Works
Wildfire 2,5 High 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Fort Bragg (FB29) Develop and Improve Evacuation Routes and Public Education for Emergency Evacuations. Develop and enhance additional evacuation routes to improve accessibility and ensure efficient resident evacuation during emergencies. Following the development of these routes, implement a public education campaign to inform community members about evacuation options, procedures, and safe egress during hazardous events.

City Emergency
Manager
Wildfire 3,6 Low 2029 Local
City of Fort Bragg (FB31) Vulnerable Water Supply Infrastructure. Develop a plan to protect the most vulnerable water supply infrastructure (the treatment plant and storage tanks), which are located in east Fort Bragg near dense woodland areas. Additionally, Fire Station #2 is located on Highway 20 and is vulnerable to wildfire.

Director of Public
Works
Wildfire 1,2,5 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Fort Bragg (FB32) Backup Power at Evacuation Shelters. There is a need for backup power at evacuation shelters, specifically requiring a high school facility to be equipped. The senior center already has backup power in place, and the middle school has a contingency plan for power through the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Additionally, collaboration with Noyo Harbor is underway to secure a 20-ton flake ice machine to support backup food storage.

City Emergency
Manager
Noyo Habor
District
Multiple 2,3 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Fort Bragg (FB33) Conduct a Site Selection and Feasibility Study for a Resiliency Center. Conduct a site selection and feasibility study for a Resiliency Center to provide a community accessible hub capable of maintaining essential services before, during, and after hazard events. The center will serve as a backup power facility to remain operational during hazard events and can provide emergency communications and charging stations during power outages, and a cooling and evacuee center for inland disaster refugees. The center will meet seismic safety and evacuation standards.

City Emergency
Manager
Multiple All High 2029 Local, Cal OES
Community
Resilience
Centers Grant
Program,
Governor’s
Office of Land
Use and
Climate
Innovation
City of Fort Bragg (FB34) Study on Impacts of Sea Level Rise and Tsunami Events on Drinking Water. Develop a project to address increased salinity in drinking water Director of Public
Works/Engineering
Multiple 1,2,6 High 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, DWR,

BOR, USDA

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
219
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
intakes due to reduced river levels (drought) paired with king tides, sea level rise, or tsunami effects. (past action ma-CC-FB-204) City of Fort Bragg (FB36) Install Backup Power at the Police Department EV Charging Station.

The department has six fully electric vehicles that serve as the primary patrol vehicles in the fleet. Evaluate solutions that consider battery storage and other dedicated backup power options.

City Manager Multiple 4,6 Medium 2028 Local, SGIP,
DEBA,
CALeVIP,

NEVI, CEC
City of Point Arena (PA1) Develop a Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan. Develop a sea level rise adaptation plan to minimize losses during extreme weather events.

City Manager Coastal Hazards 1,2,6 High 2027 Local, Ocean Protection
Council (OPC)
City of Point Arena (PA2) Managed Retreat of Cove Parking Lot. Complete managed retreat of the cove parking lot by relocating infrastructure away from vulnerable areas, incorporating resilient design and natural buffers to reduce flood and erosion risks, building on 2017 improvements.

City Manager Coastal Hazards 1,2,6 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
City of Point Arena (PA3) Develop a Model Water Ordinance. Develop and implement a model water ordinance to promote sustainable water use and enhance drought resilience.

City Manager / City
Planner
Drought 1,2,6 Low 2028 Local, State
Water Board
City of Point Arena (PA4) Feasibility Study for Secondary Water Source. Conduct a feasibility study to identify and develop a secondary water source for the city to ensure supply reliability.

City Manager Drought 1,2 Low 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP,
DWR— Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program, BOR
City of Point Arena (PA5) Improve Water Piping Infrastructure. Collaborate with Point Arena Water Works to upgrade and improve water piping infrastructure for enhanced reliability and efficiency for the City of Point Arena.

City Manager Point Arena
Water Works
Drought 1,2,4 Medium 2030 Local, State
Water Board
City of Point Arena (PA6) Seismic Retrofit of City Hall. Ongoing seismic retrofit or replacement of critical public works and emergency response facilities—especially the City Hall/Law Enforcement/EOC—to ensure functionality during and after disasters. (past action ma-EQ-PA-41)
City Manager Earthquake 3,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
General
Obligation
(GO) Bonds
for Public
Buildings
City of Point Arena (PA7) Seismic Retrofitting of Large Water Tank Upstream of Town. The City will coordinate with Point Arena Water Works to assess the need for seismic retrofitting of the large water tank located upstream of town, and City Manager Point Arena
Water Works
Earthquake 1,3,6 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
220
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
will carry out retrofitting as needed to ensure its resilience. Point Arena Water Works controls the water tank located upstream of the town.

Coordination with both Point Arena Water Works and the county would be necessary. (past action ma-EQ-PA-212)
City of Point Arena (PA8) Study on Wastewater Treatment Plant. Conduct a study on the wastewater treatment plant to assess and mitigate risks of discharge into the Point Arena Creek during hazard events.

City Manager/City
Wastewater
Treatment Plant
Lead Plant Operator
Earthquake 1,3,6 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA

HMGP, BOR
City of Point Arena (PA9) Retrofit Wastewater and Potable Water Facilities Subject to Flooding.

Retrofit wastewater and potable water facilities that are subject to flooding. Retrofitting activities may include elevating vulnerable equipment, electrical controls, and other equipment, fastening and sealing manhole covers to prevent floodwater infiltration, and protecting wells and other potable water from infiltration and flood damage by raising controls and well pipes. (past action ma-FL-PA-39)
City Manager Flood (inland) 1,2,6 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
City of Point Arena (PA10) Study on Riparian Creek Areas. Conduct a study on riparian creek areas to assess and improve hydrological health, aiming to reduce floodrelated losses.

City Manager Flood (inland) 1,2,6 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, DWR,
BOR
City of Point Arena (PA11) Install Warning Signage on Cliffsides. Install warning signage on cliffsides to enhance public safety and prevent accidents.

City Manager Mass Earth Movements 3,5 Medium 2028 Local City of Point Arena (PA12) Implement Microgrid Infrastructure and Electrical Redundancy for Critical Facilities. Design and install microgrid infrastructure and electrical redundancy systems at critical facilities in the City of Point Arena to ensure operations continue during storm-related power outages. This action will strengthen local energy resilience by enabling islanding and providing dependable backup power, reducing service disruptions during severe storm events.

City Manager Severe Storms 1,2,4 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP, The
Microgrid
Incentive
Program (MIP)
City of Point Arena (PA13) Structural Improvements to Evacuation Centers and Shelter Locations. Implement necessary structural improvements to evacuation centers and shelter locations to harden facilities against hazard events, including upgrades to roofing, windows, and foundations to enhance durability and ensure continued operation during emergencies. (past action ma-PN-PA-220)
City Manager Local NGO and
County
Coordinator
Severe Storms 3,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Point Arena (PA14) Tsunami Signage. Install clear and visible signage to inform residents and tourists about tsunami risks and safety procedures, enhancing awareness and preparedness during tsunami events.

City Manager The Redwood
Coast Fire
Protection
District
Tsunami 3,5 Low 2029 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
221
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
City of Point Arena (PA15) Fire Road Access/Roadside Vegetation Removal Program. Develop a fire road access/roadside vegetation removal program or fuel break program in which live native vegetation should be thinned and/or moved and dead vegetation should be removed within a 50-foot distance of each side of a road. Roads to be included in this program include those located in high or very high areas of this MHMP or defined by Mendocino County Fire Safe Council. (past action ma-WF-PA-43)
City Manager Mendocino
County Fire
Safe Council
Wildfire 1,5,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Point Arena (PA16) Implement Fuel Reduction Projects. Partner with the Redwood Coast Fire Protection District to implement fuel reduction projects that minimize wildfire risk and enhance community safety.

City Manager The Redwood
Coast Fire
Protection
District
Wildfire 1,3,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Point Arena (PA17) Wildfire Mitigation Educational Campaign. Partner with the Fire Safe Council to deliver public education and outreach programs annually aimed at increasing community awareness and preparedness for wildfire risks.

City Manager Fire Safe
Council
Wildfire 1,5 Medium 2028 Local
City of Point Arena (PA18) Backup Generator at City Hall. Construct backup generators at critical facilities (City Hall) and sheltering locations to respond to hazard events in loss of power. (past action ma-AH-PA-286)
City Manager Multiple 2,3,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Point Arena (PA19) Rechannelization and Habitat Restoration for Arena Creek Along Port Road. Conduct rechannelization and habitat restoration for Arena Creek along Port Road, where the stream channel has been clogged due to the discontinuation of historic meadows along the creek, causing flooding and blocking egress from Arena Cove. (past action ma-AH-PA-211) City Manager Multiple 1,2,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, DWR,
BOR
City of Point Arena (PA20) Tourist All-Hazard Mitigation Educational Campaign. Partner with the Fire Safe Council and the Point Arena Merchants Association to implement a coordinated tourist education program. This effort will include sharing emergency preparedness information on partner websites and distributing hard-copy flyers through local businesses and at monthly Fire Safe Council events (first Wednesday of the month) to promote visitor enrollment in local emergency alert and warning systems.

City Manager Fire Safe
Council, Point
Arena
Merchants
Association
Multiple 3,5 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Point Arena (PA21) Wastewater Treatment Plant. Assess and retrofit as needed wastewater treatment plan, including for berming that separates wastewater treatment facility from Arena Creek and could be subject to breach in earthquake or with extreme weather events, and for other necessary seismic retrofits. (past action ma-AH-PA-211) City Manager/Lead
Plant Operator
Multiple 1,3,6 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board
City of Ukiah (UK1) Dam Incident Coordination & Planning. Coordinate with County OES and dam operators to improve public education, alert, and warning procedures, and emergency response planning for potential dam-failure events affecting downstream communities.

Emergency Manager County of
Mendocino,
Dam operators
Dam and Levee Incident 1,2,3,5 Low 2031 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
222
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
City of Ukiah (UK2) Intertie Water Systems. Physically intertie disconnected neighboring water systems.

Deputy Director of
Water Resources
Systems
owners
Drought 1,2,4 High 2031 Local, State
Water Board,

FEMA HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK3) Managed Aquifer Recharge Program. Assess implementation of a Flood-MAR (Managed Aquifer Recharge) program.

Emergency Manager Chief
Resilience
Officer,
Property
owners
Drought 1,2,6 Low 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK17) Expanding Recycled Water. Continue the installation of purple pipes throughout the city to create a more diversified and drought-resilient water supply. (ma-CC-UK-297)
Public Works
Director
Drought 2,3,5 Low 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK4) Unreinforced Masonry Building Educational Campaign. Develop an outreach and education program for owners and tenants in downtown unreinforced masonry buildings to understand earthquake risks and precautions and, for owners, to understand retrofitting options and available funding mechanisms. This annual campaign will occur in the fall coinciding with Great ShakeOut activities. (past action ma-EQ-UK-280) Community
Development
Director
Earthquake 3,5 Medium 2028 Local
City of Ukiah (UK18) Critical Facility Seismic Retrofits. Seismically retrofit or replace public works and/or emergency response facilities that are necessary during and/or immediately after a disaster or emergency. (ma-EQ-UK-77) Public Works
Director
Earthquake 1,2,3 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK19) Private Critical Facility Seismic Assessments. Encourage privately owned critical facilities (e.g. churches, hotels, other gathering facilities) to evaluate the ability of the buildings to withstand earthquakes and to address any deficiencies identified. (ma-EQ-UK-277)
Chief Building Official Earthquake 1,2,3,5 2031 Local
City of Ukiah (UK5) Warming Center Educational Campaign. Develop an educational campaign to inform at-risk populations annually during the Winter about warming center resources. Efforts will include coordination with warming centers run by area non-profits and religious organizations.

Emergency Manager Extreme Cold or Freeze 1,5 Low 2031 Local City of Ukiah (UK6) Tree Canopy Expansion. Implement tree canopy increases as identified in the 2025 Climate Action Plan.

Chief Resilience
Officer
CAL FIRE Extreme Heat 1,2,6 High 2029 Local, Extreme
Heat and
Community
Resilience
Program
City of Ukiah (UK7) Waterway Flood Mitigation. Vegetation removal and channel maintenance along city waterways.

Public Works
Director
CDFW Flood (inland) 1,6 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK20) Water System Retrofits. Retrofit wastewater and potable water facilities that subject to flooding. Retrofitting activities may include elevating vulnerable equipment, electrical controls, and other equipment, fastening and sealing manhole covers to prevent floodwater infiltration, Water Resources
Director
Local Water
Agencies
Flood (inland) 1,2,3 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
223
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
and protecting wells and other potable water from infiltration and flood damage by raising controls and well pipes. (ma-FL-UK-75) City of Ukiah (UK21) Reinforce Transportation Infrastructure. Reinforce city and local ramps, bridges, and roads from flooding through protection activities, including elevating the road and installing culverts beneath the road or building a higher bridge across the area that experiences regular flooding. (ma-FL-UK-78)
Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 2,4,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CDBG
DRI
City of Ukiah (UK8) Localized Landslide Risk Assessment. Develop improved, localized landslide risk data to guide future mitigation efforts.

Public Works
Director
Emergency
Management
Mass Earth Movements 1,4,6 Low 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK9) Right of Way / Lifeline Vegetation Management. Manage vegetation in areas within and adjacent to rights-of-way and in close proximity to critical facilities and power lines in order to reduce the risk of tree failure and property damage. Efforts will also help to avoid the creation of wind acceleration corridors within vegetated areas. (past action ma-FL-UK-62) Electric Utility
Director
Public Works Severe Storms 1,3,6 High 2031 Local
City of Ukiah (UK11) City Building Wildfire Assessment Program. Develop regular inspection program of city buildings to recommend and implement structural hardening and defensible space activities.

Community
Development
Director
MCFSC Wildfire 3,4,5 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Ukiah (UK12) Evacuation Center Coordination. Coordinate with the county on identifying designated evacuation shelters outside of the city limits in event of wildfire. (past action ma-WF-UK-285)
Emergency Manager County of
Mendocino
Wildfire 3,4,5 Medium 2028 Local
City of Ukiah (UK13) Home Wildfire Mitigation Educational Campaign. Develop an annual public education campaign focused on encouraging structural hardening and defensible space to be broadcast from the Spring through Fall.

Fire Chief MCFSC Wildfire 3,4,5 High 2031 Local
City of Ukiah (UK14) Mobile Dispatch / Command Center. Acquire a mobile dispatch/command center.

Emergency Manager Wildfire 5,6 Low 2030 Local
City of Ukiah (UK15) Hazard Area Pre-application Review. Create a GIS-based preapplication review for new construction and major remodels of residential and/or non-residential structures in hazard areas, such high and/or very high wildfire areas. (ma-AH-UK-70)
Community
Development
Director
Wildfire 1,2,3,5,6 Low 2029 Local
City of Ukiah (UK22) Fuels Reduction Program. Implement a fuel modification program and code requirements. (ma-WF-UK-60)
Fire Chief MCFSC Wildfire 1,2,3,5 High 2027 Local
City of Ukiah (UK23) Under-resourced Resident Vegetation Management. Create a vegetation management program that provides vegetation management services to elderly, disabled, or low-income property owners who lack the resources to remove flammable vegetation from around their homes. (maWF-UK-74) Fire Chief MCFSC Wildfire 1,2,3,4,5 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Ukiah (UK24) CWPP Implementation. Implement CWPP projects in partnership with County, Fire Safe Council, and CAL FIRE. (ma-WF-UK-289) Fire Chief Wildfire 1,2,3,4,5 High 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
224
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
City of Ukiah (UK25) Home Hardening & Defensible Space Grants. Develop a cost share program for residential mitigation and retrofits to be more fireproof. (maWF-UK-296) Fire Chief Community
Development,
MCFSC
Wildfire 1,2,3,4,5 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Ukiah (UK16) Critical Facility Generators. Construct backup generators at critical facilities (fire stations) to respond to hazard events in loss of power.

Generators have been added to the Adventist Health Ukiah Valley Hospital and pump stations. (ma-AH-UK-276)
Public Works
Director
Multiple 1,2,3 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Ukiah (UK26) Development of a Climate Adaptation & Resilience Strategy (CARS).

This plan will address drought, wildfire, flooding, extreme heat, and other associated natural hazards.

Chief Resilience
Officer
Multiple 1,2,3,4,5 High 2027 Local, ICARP
City of Willits (WL2) Morris Dam Dredging. Dredge the Morris Dam to increase reservoir capacity.

Public Works
Director
Dam and Levee Incident 2,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL3) Morris Dam Risk Assessment. HHPD: Perform risk assessment of the aging Morris Dam to identify mitigation solutions.

Public Works
Director
Dam and Levee Incident 1,2,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HHPD (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL1) Morris Dam Capacity Improvements. Increase the Morris Dam height to increase reservoir capacity.

Public Works
Director
Dam and Levee Incident 1,2,6 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL4) Groundwater System Enhancements. Enhancements to the groundwater system to increase capacity & storage of the system.

Public Works
Director
County of
Mendocino
Drought 1,2,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,

DWR, BOR,
USDA (Any

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
225
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL5) Water Storage Capacity Improvements. Upgrade existing storage by developing new sites and expanding existing. This will enable the city to achieve adequate water pressure throughout the water system for emergency fire response and so fire sprinkler systems in buildings can function properly. (ma-WF-WL-291)
Public Works
Director
Drought 2,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,

DWR, BOR,
USDA (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL31) Improve Water Supply. Implement water supply contingency projects, explore and acquire alternative water supplies, and retrofit water supply systems in order to improve water supply and delivery and conserve water. (ma-DR-WL-264)
Public Works
Director
Drought 1,2,3 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP, State
Water Board,
DWR — Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL33) Drought Resistent Landscaping. Replace existing water intensive landscaping with drought resistant landscaping. (ma-DR-WL-265) Public Works
Director
Drought 3,5 Medium 2028 Local
City of Willits (WL6) Gasline Shutoff Valves. Install gasline shutoff valves on all city facilities. (past action ma-EQ-WL-267)
Public Works
Director
Earthquake 1,3 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
226
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL7) Seismic Risk Inspections. Conduct seismic inspections of City facilities to determine what retrofits are needed to make facilities more resilient to seismic events. (past action ma-EQ-WL-294)
Public Works
Director
Earthquake 4 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Willits (WL8) Retrofit Critical Facilities. Retrofit / Harden City-owned critical facilities and buildings and their ability to withstand earthquakes. (past action ma-EQ-WL-268)
Public Works
Director
Earthquake 1,2,3,4 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
City of Willits (WL9) Private Critical Facility Assessments. Encourage privately owned critical facilities to evaluate the ability of the buildings to withstand earthquakes and to address any deficiencies identified. (past action ma-EQWL-270) Public Works
Director
Earthquake 5 Medium 2031 Local
City of Willits (WL10) Warming Center Educational Campaign. Develop an educational campaign to inform at-risk populations annually during the Winter about warming center resources. Efforts will include coordination with warming centers run by area non-profits and religious organizations.

Planning Director Extreme Cold or Freeze 1,5 Low 2029 Local City of Willits (WL11) Cooling Center Educational Campaign. Develop an educational campaign to inform at-risk populations annually during the Summer about cooling center resources. Efforts will include coordination with cooling centers run by area non-profits and religious organizations.

Planning Director Extreme Heat 1,5 Low 2029 Local
City of Willits (WL12) Automatic Annual Maintenance Permits. Coordinate automatic annual maintenance permits from CDFW to allow for the city to implement mitigation.

Public Works
Director
CDFW Flood (inland) 1,4,6 High 2027 Local
City of Willits (WL13) Private Property Owner Waterway Maintenance. Coordinate with private property owners on maintenance of local waterways (Caltrans Outlet Creek & Skunk Train Creek along Walnut)
Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 1,6 High 2028 Local
City of Willits (WL14) Reduce Flooding Exposure. Acquire, relocate, or elevate residential structures, in particular those that have been identified as Repetitive Loss (RL) properties that are located within the 100-year floodplain. There is one Repetitive Loss structure in the city. (past action ma-FL-WL-93) Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 1,2,3,4,6 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
FMA (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
227
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
City of Willits (WL15) Elevate & Retrofit Bridges and Culverts. Elevate and retrofit bridges and culverts to allow proper stormwater/100-YR flows. (past action ma-FLMCOE-274) Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 2,4,6 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL35) Floodproofing & Drainage System Assessment. Perform a feasibility study for flood proofing options and analyze the drainage systems Citywide. (ma-EW-WL-271) Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 1,2,3,4 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL37) Stormwater Channel Inspection Program. Routinely inspect storm water channels for vegetation build up or encroachment, trash and debris, silt and gravel build up, and erosion or bank failure. (ma-EW-WL-272) Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 1,2,3 High 2031 Local
City of Willits (WL41) Water System Retrofits. Retrofit wastewater and potable water facilities that are subject to flooding. Retrofitting activities may include elevating vulnerable equipment, electrical controls, and other equipment, fastening and sealing manhole covers to prevent floodwater infiltration, and protecting wells and other potable water from infiltration and flood damage by raising controls and well pipes. (ma-FL-WL-96) Public Works
Director
Flood (inland) 1,2,3 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL43) Continued NFIP Participation. Continue to participate in the NFIP program by enforcing the floodplain management ordinance to reduce future flood damage. In addition, join the Community Rating System (CRS) program. A community that participates in additional floodplain management activities, such as those outlined in the CRS program, will reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance rating, and promote the awareness of flood insurance. (ma-FL-WL-103)
Planning Director Flood (inland) 2,5,6 High 2031 Local
City of Willits (WL16) Brooktrail Access Road Landslide Mitigation. Construct improvements to the Brooktrail access road to eliminate mass earth movement risk.

Public Works
Director
Mass Earth Movements 1,3,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
228
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL17) Lightning Impact Study of the Water System. Scoping for mitigation options to reduce/eliminate lightning strike impacts on water treatment systems.

Public Works
Director
Severe Storms 1,3,4 Low 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL18) Tree Maintenance Educational Campaign. Develop an annual public education campaign to launch in the Spring encouraging tree and limb mitigation to reduce impacts to private residents.

Planning Director Severe Storms 5,6 Medium 2029 Local
City of Willits (WL39) Tree Removal Program. Implement a tree removal program for trees that are at a high risk to snapping in wind events around city facilities and infrastructure. (ma-EW-WL-273)
Public Works
Director
Severe Storms 1,2,3 Medium 2027 Local
City of Willits (WL20) Home Wildfire Mitigation Educational Campaign. Develop an annual public education campaign focused on encouraging structural hardening and defensible space to be broadcast from the Spring through Fall.

Planning Director Wildfire 3,4,5 High 2031 Local
City of Willits (WL22) Harden City Facilities. Retrofit city facilities with fireproof building materials to better withstand potential impacts of wildfire. (past action maWF-WL-275) Public Works
Director
Wildfire 1,2,3,4 High 2029 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
City of Willits (WL24) Water Plant & Airport Defensible Space. Regularly implement defensible space treatments for the water treatment plant and on the airport grounds.

Public Works
Director
Wildfire 1,3,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
229
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
City of Willits (WL19) General Plan Wildfire Annex. Develop a Wildfire Annex to the EOP Element to address evacuation and sheltering.

Planning Director Wildfire 3,4,5 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
City of Willits (WL21) Under-resourced Resident Vegetation Management. Create a vegetation management program that provides vegetation management services to elderly, disabled, or low-income property owners who lack the resources to remove flammable vegetation from around their homes. (past action ma-WF-WL-92)
Planning Director Wildfire 1,2,3,4,5 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Willits (WL23) Implement Mendocino County CWPP. Implement Mendocino County CWPP Mitigation Projects (Battalion 2: Willits) Including shaded fuel break to protect Willits water system, construct replacement fire station, and replace 1 aging fire apparatus. (past action ma-WF-WL-288) Public Works
Director
Wildfire 1,2,3,4 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
City of Willits (WL45) Vegetation Management Program. Develop vegetation management program to remove under story brush and excessive fuels around City roads, evacuation routes, and buildings. (ma-WF-WL-284) Planning Director Wildfire 1,2,3 High 2028 Local
City of Willits (WL25) Expedited Generator Permitting. Develop a program that allows for expedited permitting and review process for backup power generation at facilities that are considered critical during a natural disaster (grocery stores, gas stations, cell/communication towers). (ma-AH-WL-258) Planning Director Multiple 2,6 Low 2030 Local
City of Willits (WL27) Expedited Permitting for Home Retrofits. Develop a program that creates incentives, through expedited permitting/review and reduced/waived permit fees, for homeowners and business owners to retrofit their homes and businesses to be more resilient to natural disasters. (ma-AH-WL-259)
Planning Director Multiple 2,6 Low 2030 Local
City of Willits (WL29) Vulnerable Population Outreach. Conduct outreach to the general public to better understand where vulnerable populations live within the City of Willits so that they can be better served by the city with hazardrelated outreach. (ma-AH-WL-260) Planning Director Multiple 1,3,5 Medium 2031 Local
Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF1) New Fire Station. Replacement of the existing station with a new building constructed to updated building codes.

Fire Chief Earthquake 1,3,6 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF2) Replacement Generator for Existing Fire Station. Purchase a replacement generator for the station, as the current generator has reached its useful life.

Fire Chief Earthquake 1,2,4 High 2030 Local, FEMA
HMGP (Any
project
progress will

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
230
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
be dependent
on external
funding
opportunities)
Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF3) Engine Bay Insulation & Heating. Insulate the entire engine bay and purchase/install heaters.

Fire Chief Extreme Cold or Freeze 1,3 High 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF4) Engine Heaters. Purchase and install block heaters for the engines. Fire Chief Extreme Cold or Freeze 1,3 High 2029 Local Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF5) Fire Station Grading. Regrade the land surrounding the station and re-route the existing irrigation system.

Fire Chief Flood (inland) 1,2,6 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF6) Fire Station Sprinklers. Purchase and installation of a sprinkler system inside of the station.

Fire Chief Wildfire 1,3 High 2031 Local
Covelo Fire
Protection District
(CF7) Wildfire Education Campaign. Develop a public education campaign on wildfire mitigation. Materials will be distributed as part of the ongoing public engagement that will take place annually at community functions, including rodeos and festivals.

Fire Chief Wildfire 1,5,6 Medium 2031 Local
Noyo Harbor
District
(NH1) Develop and Implement a Dredge Management Plan. Develop and implement a dredge management plan, including a sediment removal project and a feasibility study to identify environmentally and logistically suitable disposal or reuse sites.

Noyo Harbormaster Coastal Hazards 1,2,6 High 2028 Local Noyo Harbor
District
(NH2) Upgrade and Harden Sediment De-Watering Cell. Upgrade and, if necessary, harden the sediment de-watering cell to ensure continued functionality.

Noyo Harbormaster Coastal Hazards 1,3,6 High 2030 Local, Economic
Development
Agency's
Disaster
Supplementals
Noyo Harbor
District
(NH3) Coordinated Emergency Egress Route. Establish a coordinated emergency egress route from the north harbor across adjacent tribal land.

Collaborate closely with tribal authorities to design, approve, and maintain this critical evacuation pathway, enhancing safe and efficient emergency access and egress for the community.

Noyo Harbormaster Tribal
Authorities
Earthquake 3,5,6 High 2031 Local
Noyo Harbor
District
(NH4) Coordination with the Sheriff’s Office and Local PD. Increasing coordination with the Sheriff's office and local PD is critical for crowd control measures during a tsunami event.

Noyo Harbormaster Sheriff's Office,
Fort Bragg PD
Tsunami 3,4,5 Medium 2026 Local
Noyo Harbor
District
(NH5) Enhance Early Warning Systems for Vessel Owners in Noyo Harbor.

Improve early alert and warning systems to ensure vessel owners in the Noyo Harbor District receive timely notifications of hazardous conditions.

Early alerts provide operators with sufficient time to secure vessels or move offshore before coastal storms, tsunami warnings, or extreme wave Noyo Harbormaster Cal OES, US
Coast Guard
Tsunami 2,3,5 Medium 2031 Local

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
231
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
events occur. This action includes strengthening communication systems, establishing direct notification protocols, and promoting enrollment in local and regional alert platforms to enhance maritime safety and reduce the risk of vessel damage.

Noyo Harbor
District
(NH6) Upgrade and Replace Aging Harbor Infrastructure. Upgrade and replace aging harbor infrastructure to withstand seismic events, severe storms, and increased wave action, while also accommodating larger and heavier vessels now using the port. Improvements will include reinforcing docks, piers, and bulkheads with modern, resilient materials and designs that meet current engineering and safety standards.

Noyo Harbormaster Severe Storms 1,3,6 High 2031 Local,
Infrastructure
State
Revolving
Fund (ISRF)
Program, Port
Infrastructure
Development
Program
Redwood Coast Fire (RC1) Feasibility Study for Secondary Water Source. Conduct a feasibility study to identify and develop a secondary water source for the fire protection district to ensure supply reliability.

Fire Chief City of Point
Arena
Drought 1,2,6 High 2028 Local, FEMA

HMGP, DWR
— Small
Community
Drought Relief
Program, DWR
— Urban
Community
Drought Relief
Program, BOR,
USDA
Redwood Coast Fire (RC2) Improve Water Piping Infrastructure. Collaborate with Point Arena Water Works and the City of Point Arena to upgrade and improve water piping infrastructure for enhanced reliability and efficiency for the fire district.

Fire Chief City of Point
Arena, Point
Arena Water
Works
Drought 1,2,4 Medium 2030 Local
Redwood Coast Fire (RC3) Study on Seismic Safety of Fire Stations. Conduct a study to assess and update fire stations to address seismic safety concerns.

Fire Chief Earthquake 3,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Redwood Coast Fire (RC4) Backup Generators for Fire Stations. Install backup generators on fire stations.

Fire Chief Severe Storms 1,2,4 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Redwood Coast Fire (RC5) Implement Microgrid Infrastructure and Electrical Redundancy for Critical Facilities. Design and install microgrid infrastructure and electrical redundancy systems at fire stations and critical facilities within the district boundaries to ensure operations continue during storm-related power outages. This action will strengthen local energy resilience by enabling islanding and providing dependable backup power, reducing service disruptions during severe storm events.

Fire Chief City of Point
Arena
Severe Storms 1,2,4 High 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP, The
Microgrid
Incentive
Program (MIP)

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
232
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
Redwood Coast Fire (RC6) Install Gate at Cove. Install a gate at the cove to be closed during tsunami events, enhancing public safety by preventing access and protecting people from potential hazards.

Fire Chief City of Point
Arena
Tsunami 1,3,6 High 2029 Local
Redwood Coast Fire (RC7) Tsunami Signage. Install clear, visible signage to inform residents and tourists about tsunami risks within the district boundaries, outside the City of Point Arena, and safety procedures, thereby enhancing awareness and preparedness during tsunami events.

Fire Chief City of Point
Arena
Tsunami 3,5 Low 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Redwood Coast Fire (RC8) Wildfire Mitigation Educational Campaign. Partner with the Fire Safe Council to conduct public outreach and education annually on defensible space around homes and businesses within the district boundaries.

Fire Chief Fire Safe
Council
Wildfire 1,5,6 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Redwood Coast Fire (RC9) Fuel Reduction and Chipper Projects. Implement fuel-reduction and community-chipper projects in high-wildfire-risk areas within the fire protection district to reduce hazardous vegetation and support defensiblespace efforts.

Fire Chief CAL FIRE Wildfire 1,3,6 Medium 2030 Local, FEMA

HMGP, CAL
FIRE
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE2) Conduct a localized vulnerability study for all facilities at risk from coastal hazards.

MCOE M&O Director Coastal Hazards 1,4 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE4) Elevate at risk infrastructure and buildings. MCOE M&O Director Coastal Hazards 1,2,3 Low 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE5) Participate in the county-wide warning system program, led by the county as a participating jurisdiction. (previously ma-DF-MCOE-256) MCOE M&O Director Dam and Levee Failure 1,3,4,5 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE6) Emergency planning and studies for dam/levee failure scenarios. MCOE M&O Director Mendocino County
Dam and Levee Failure 1,2,4 Low 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE7) Identify secondary water sources or additional water storage for schools on wells. Leggett is a priority.

MCOE M&O Director Drought 1,2,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE8) Develop a drought management/contingency plan to minimize the adverse impacts of drought on faculty, students, and facilities. (previously ma-DR-MCOE-232)
MCOE M&O Director Drought 1,2,3,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE9) Replace sports fields with irrigated turf grass with artificial turf that doesn't require watering. (previously ma-DR-MCOE-229) MCOE M&O Director Drought 1,2 Low 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE10) Retrofit landscape with drought tolerant plant species and ground cover to minimize water use. (previously ma-DR-MCOE-230) MCOE M&O Director Drought 1,2 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE11) Install infrastructure to permit the use of reclaimed water for landscaping.

MCOE M&O Director Drought 2,4 Low 2031 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE12) Conduct building seismic assessments for all schools. To include a review of unsecured contents and non-structural elements of all buildings. (previously ma-EQ-MCOE-249)
MCOE M&O Director Earthquake 1,2,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE13) Complete DSA Retrofits for non-wood frame structures built before July 1, 1978 (Category 2 Buildings) on AB300 list that require detailed seismic evaluation. (previously ma-EQ-MCOE-250) MCOE M&O Director Earthquake 1,2,4 High 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
233
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE14) Repair and Seismically Upgrade, or remove from inventory, and Replace with permanent buildings, Portable Classrooms AND other essential facilities in portable structures. Structurally reinforce (by securing to the ground) certain portable classrooms for seismic conditions, where adequate per Code and cost-effective. Support additional portable classroom requirements in more cost-effective than permanent construction. (previously ma-EQ-MCOE-251)
MCOE M&O Director Earthquake 1,2,3,4 High 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE15) Coordinating countywide MOUs through Mendocino OES for all districts.

Risk Manager County OES Earthquake 4 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE16) Install gas shutoff valves on all buildings. (previously ma-EQMCOE-252) MCOE M&O Director Earthquake 1,2,3 High 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE17) Retrofit non-compliant suspended ceilings in district buildings.

This includes Non-Structural Suspended Gypsum Dry-Wall & Cement Plaster Ceilings built 1950-1974. (previously ma-EQ-MCOE-253) MCOE M&O Director Earthquake 1,2,3 High 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE18) Draft and adopt an emergency operations plan that identifies and plans for alternative transportation routes in case of a natural disaster during school operating hours. (previously ma-EQ-MCOE-254) MCOE M&O Director Earthquake 1,3,4 Medium 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE19) Conduct an assessment of insulation and heating needs for all schools.

MCOE M&O Director Extreme Cold or Freeze 4 Low 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE20) Purchase equipment for sports teams to address heat stress. Risk Manager Extreme Heat 1,3 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE21) Continue to develop and update Heat Injury Illness Prevention Plans (HIIPP).

Risk Manager Extreme Heat 1,2,3,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE22) Upgrade/retrofit buses to include air conditioning. Ensure this is a standard feature on all new vehicles.

MCOE M&O Director Extreme Heat 1,3 Medium 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE23) Upgrade HVAC systems that are adequate to handle projected future temperature increases and heat waves. (previously ma-EW-MCOE257) MCOE M&O Director Extreme Heat Medium Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE24) Regrade selected sites to facilitate better drainage. (previously ma-FL-MCOE-247)
MCOE M&O Director Flood (Inland) 1,2,3 High 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE25) Repair and maintain erosion on retention and detention basins for school sites. (previously ma-FL-MCOE-248)
MCOE M&O Director Flood (Inland) 1,2 High 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE26) Conduct planning to identify transportation and access issues that can impact all schools. Develop mitigation solutions to these problems.

MCOE M&O Director Flood (Inland) 1,3,4 Low 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE27) Install retaining walls or implement site-specific mitigation for schools in affected areas. Whale Gulch is a Priority.

MCOE M&O Director Mass Earth Movements Medium 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE28) Develop a formal vegetation removal and tree management program. (previously ma-EW-MCOE-209).

MCOE M&O Director Severe Storms 1,2,3,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
234
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE29) Rehabilitate school site drainage systems. (previously ma-FLMCOE-245)MCOE M&O Director Severe Storms 1,2 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE30) Hardening of all schools to include necessary roof and window replacements.

MCOE M&O Director Severe Storms 1,2,3 High 2031 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE31) Conduct evacuation planning for all coastal schools, including how to address transportation logistics. Point Arena and coastal charter schools are a priority.

MCOE M&O Director Tsunami 1,3,4 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE32) On-going annual student and faculty training and education on communication protocols and siren coverage.

Risk Manager Tsunami 1,3,4,5 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE33) Evaluate the need for backup communication systems for tsunami alerts.

Risk Manager Tsunami 1,3,4,5 High 2028 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE34) Enhance building ventilation systems for wildfire smoke by improving air filtration options. (previously ma-WF-MCOE-241) Risk Manager Wildfire 1,3,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE35) Assessment of schools in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) and/or new high/extreme fire zones per updated CAL FIRE maps.

MCOE M&O Director Wildfire 1,3,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE36) Hardening all structures in high hazard zones. MCOE M&O Director Wildfire 1,2,3 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE37) Conduct an assessment to identify which schools require priority upgrades or hardening. (previously ma-WF-MCOE-242)
MCOE M&O Director Wildfire 1,2,4 High 2027 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE38) Upgrade fire notification systems where needed. Whale Gulch is a priority.

MCOE M&O Director Wildfire 1,3,4,5 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE39) Vegetation and fuel reduction around school properties to ensure adequate defensible space. (previously ma-WF-MCOE-240) MCOE M&O Director Wildfire 1,2,3,6 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE40) Conduct an ingress/egress study of all schools to determine the prioritization of constructing additional roadways.

MCOE M&O Director Wildfire 1,3 High 2029 Local, FEMA
HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE1) Purchase and install backup generators for all schools. MCOE M&O Director Multi-Hazard 1,2,3,4,6 High 2030 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE3) Replacement and/or improvements to antiquated storm drain infrastructure.

MCOE M&O Director Multi-Hazard 1,2,3 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE41) Install back-up generators at essential district facilities that currently lack backup power generation. (previously ma-WF-MCOE-243) MCOE M&O Director Multi-Hazard 1,2,3 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE42) Develop disaster warning system framework to disseminate information to districts, faculty, students, and families before, during, and after natural hazard events. (previously ma-AH-MCOE-255) MCOE M&O Director Multi-Hazard 1,3,4,5 High 2027 Local, FEMA HMGP
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE43) Assess and institute necessary upgrades to critical facilities to allow for usage during emergencies, including adequately filtered ventilation, fresh air options, and physical barriers. (previously ma-PNMCOE-244) MCOE M&O Director Multi-Hazard 1,2,3 High 2028 Local, FEMA HMGP

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
2026 Mitigation Actions
235
Local Government Mitigation Action Local Government
Lead
Partnering
Organization(s)
Primary Hazard
Mitigated
Relevant
Goals Priority
Timeframe
for
Estimated
Completion
Potential
Funding
Source(s)
Mendocino County
Office of Education
(MCOE44) Integrate annual communications lists, which include amateur radio operators, into Emergency Operations Plan to mitigate communications failures during regional disasters. (previously ma-AHMCOE-169) MCOE M&O Director Multi-Hazard 1,2,3,4 Medium 2029 Local, FEMA HMGP

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
236
Appendix D – Core Planning Team
The following list presents those individuals and organizations invited to contribute to the HMP update process. An asterisk (*) denotes those who participated in a planning meeting or workshop. The following organizational types were invited to participate in the planning process.
• Businesses, Academia, Other Private Interests (Utilities, Chambers of Commerce, Dam Owners, Educational Centers, Major Lifeline Employers)
• Federal Landowners
• Hazard Mitigation (Emergency Management, Public Works, Floodplain Admin., GIS) • Neighboring Communities
• Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs. (Faith-based, Disability, NGO, Rural Support, Health & Human/Social Services, Housing Agencies)
• Public
• Regulating Development (Zoning, Planning, Community/Economic Development, Building Officials, Planning Commissions, Elected Officials) • Regional Stakeholders
• State Agencies
• State Dam Safety Agency
Name Title Organization Organization Type
Adam Gaska
*
Representative Mendocino Farm
Bureau
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Amanda
Friscia
Representative Mendo Food
Network
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Amber
Fisette
Deputy Director
of
Transportation
Mendocino
County
Department of
Transportation
Hazard Mitigation
Amy Medina Representative Redwood Coast
Regional Center
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Amy Travis Emergency
Manager
Glenn County Neighboring Communities
Andres Avila Fire Chief Anderson Valley
Fire Department
Hazard Mitigation

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
237
Name Title Organization Organization Type
Angela
Goodwin
Representative Mendocino
County
Department of
Agriculture
Hazard Mitigation
Angela
James
Representative Pinoleville Pomo
Nation
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Anira G'Acha
*
Environmental
Director
Cahto Tribe Neighboring Communities
Anna
Neumann *
Harbormaster Noyo Harbor
District
Hazard Mitigation
Ara
Chakrabarti
Representative Redwood Coast
Medical Services,
Inc
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Barry Silva * Director,
Maintenance,
Operations,
Transportation
Fort Bragg Unified
School District
Businesses, Academia, Other Private
Interests
Bill Pauli Fire Chief Potter Valley Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Blake Adams
*
Chief Resiliency
Officer
City of Ukiah /
Ukiah Valley Basin
Groundwater
Sustainability
Agency
Hazard Mitigation
Bob Matson Fire Chief Elk Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Brandon
Gunn
Mendocino Unit
Fire Chief

CAL FIRE -
Mendocino
Unit. 10
State Agencies
Brandon
Quintana
California Sea
Grant Fellow
California Coast
Commission
Businesses, Academia, Other Private
Interests
Brian Bartow
*
Director of
Maintenance
Operations
Mendocino
County Office of
Education
Businesses, Academia, Other Private
Interests

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
238
Name Title Organization Organization Type
Brittney
O'Ferrall *
Administrative
Analyst
Mendocino
County Executive
Office
Hazard Mitigation
Cathy
Perkins
Representative Mendocino Coast
Street Medicine
Project
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Chantell
O'Neal *
Assistant
Director of Public
Works
City of Fort Bragg Hazard Mitigation
Charles
Sargenti
MAC Chair Round Valley Area
Municipal
Advisory Council
(RVAMAC)
Public
Chris
Behrens *
Safety/Risk &
Disaster
Preparedness
Redwood Coast
Medical Services
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Chris Holmes
*
Pre-fire Engineer CAL FIRE -
Mendocino
Unit. 10
State Agencies
Chris Valerga
*
Deputy Chief of
VMP Operations

CAL FIRE -
Mendocino
Unit. 10
State Agencies
Christy Gard Department
Analyst
Mendocino
County Executive
Office
Hazard Mitigation
Clay Eubank Battalion Chief,
EMS Officer
Anderson Valley
Fire Department
Hazard Mitigation
Connor
Stack *
City Planner City of Willits Regulating Development
Conrad
Kramer
Executive
Director
Mendocino Land
Trust
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Craig
Schlutter *
Director of
Community
Development
City of Ukiah Regulating Development

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
239
Name Title Organization Organization Type
Dan Maxey Fire Chief Westport
Volunteer Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Dan McIntire Representative North Coast
Opportunities
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Dan Thorton Deputy Chief Potter Valley Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Daniel Grebil
*
Fire Chief Redwood Valley -
Calpella Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Danielle C.

Harris
Sheriff Sgt. /
Emergency
Management
Tehama County Neighboring Communities
Daren
Dalrymple *
Senior Public
Safety Specialist
PG&E Businesses, Academia, Other Private
Interests
Dave Latoof Fire Chief Mendocino Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
David Beak Fire Chief Comptche Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
David
Jeffreys
MAC Vice
Chair(Acting
Chair)
Laytonville Area
Municipal
Advisory Council
(LAMAC)
Public
Diana BillyElliottRepresentative Hopland Band of
Pomo Indians
Neighboring Communities
Diego
Mendoza
Representative Mendocino Wine
Growers
Association
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Dolly Riley MAC Chair Redwood Valley
Municipal
Advisory
Committee
(RVMAC)
Public
Douglas
Hutchison *
Fire Chief Ukiah Valley Fire
Authority
Hazard Mitigation

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
240
Name Title Organization Organization Type
Duncan
Donald
Tribal
Chairperson
Guidiville Indian
Rancheria
Neighboring Communities
Dusty Duley
*
Community
Development
Director
City of Willits Regulating Development
Ely Reighter Fire Chief Leggett Valley Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Eric Alvarez Fire Chief Little Lake Fire
Department
(Willits)
Hazard Mitigation
Eric
Singleton
Division Chief Ukiah Valley Fire
Authority
Hazard Mitigation
Eric Swift * Police Chief City of Fort Bragg Hazard Mitigation Gabe
Sherman *
Director of
Maintenance,
Operations &
Transportation
Ukiah Unified
School District
Businesses, Academia, Other Private
Interests
Garrett
James *
Emergency
Specialist
Mendocino
County Office of
Emergency
Management
Hazard Mitigation
General POC Representative Redwood Valley
or Little River
Band of Pomo
Indians of the
Redwood Valley
Rancheria
California
Neighboring Communities
General POC Tribal Secretary Potter Valley Tribe Neighboring Communities General POC Representative Climate Action
Mendocino
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Northern
Mendocino
Ecosystem
Recovery Alliance
(NM-ERA)
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
241
Name Title Organization Organization Type
General POC Representative Mendocino Area
Parks Association
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Noyo Food Forest Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Cloud Forest
Institute
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Noyo Center for
Marine Science
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Blue Zones Project
– Mendocino
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Legal Services of
Northern
California – Ukiah
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Fort Bragg Food
Bank
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative North Coast
Energy Services
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Mendocino
County Youth
Project
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Round Valley
Family Resource
Center
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Potter Valley
Youth and
Community
Center
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative First 5 Mendocino Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Anderson Valley
Senior Center
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Anderson Valley
Village
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Caspar
Community
Center
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Visit Ukiah Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
242
Name Title Organization Organization Type
General POC Representative Visit Willits Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Visit Fort Bragg Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative InterTribal
Sinkyone
Wilderness
Council
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

General POC Representative Ukiah Valley Fire
Authority
Hazard Mitigation
Greg Smith Assistant Fire
Chief/Fire
Marshall
Laytonville, Long
Valley Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Holly Costa Public Affairs
Office
USACE Regional Stakeholders
Howard
Dashiel
Director Mendocino
County
Department of
Transportation
Hazard Mitigation
Jacqueline
Williams
Executive
Director
Ford Street Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

James D.

Stewart *
Chief Executive
Officer
Long Valley Health
Center –
Laytonville
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

James Russ Tribal
Administrator
Round Valley
Indian Tribes
Neighboring Communities
Jared Walker
*
Deputy Director
of Water
Resources
City of Ukiah Regulating Development
Jason Morse
*
Superintendent
and maintenance
supervisor
Mendocino
Unified School
District
Businesses, Academia, Other Private
Interests
Jason
Warner
Fire Chief South Coast Fire
Department
Hazard Mitigation
Jayma
Shields
Spence
Representative Laytonville
Healthy Start
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

County of Mendocino Hazard Mitigation Plan
Core Planning Team
243
Name Title Organization Organization Type
Jeff Adair * Emergency
Services
Coordinator
Mendocino
County Office of
Emergency
Management
Hazard Mitigation
Jeff
Determan
Facilities Director Mendocino
County
Department of
General Services
Hazard Mitigation
Jeff
Donaldson *
Fire Chief Brooktrails CSD
Fire Department
Hazard Mitigation
Jeff Duvall Director of
Emergency
Management
Sonoma County
Department of
Emergency
Management
Neighboring Communities
Jennifer
Gordon *
Deputy Regional
Admin
Cal OES State Agencies
Jennifer
Smallwood *
Coordinator Fire Safe Point
Arena
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Jeremy
Moore *
Safety and
Emergency
Preparedness
Mendocino
Community
Health Clinics
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Jill Rexrode Executive
Director
Redwood Coast
Seniors
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

Joanna
Olson
Representative MCAVIN Care and
Prevention
Network
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

John Bailey Representative UCANR Hopland
Research and
Extension Center
Nonprofit & Community Based Orgs.

John
Thomen
Deputy Chief Little Lake Fire
Department
(Willits)
Hazard Mitigation
Joseph
Parker
President Round Valley
Tribal Council
Neighboring Communities