Allegany County, MD
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
HAZARD VULNERABILITY
Vulnerability is a reflection of the community’s coping resources and may vary within the smaller social and economic groups which form a large community.
Vulnerability is (1) the susceptibility of people to injury as the result of a hazardous event, and (2) the susceptibility of the things people value to damage as the result of a hazardous event.
The 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies nine (9) natural and man-made hazards that impact Allegany County. For this plan update, two (2) new hazards have been added: Emerging Infectious Diseases and Dam Failure. Residents and visitors of Allegany County are vulnerable to the following eleven (11) hazard types:
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Flood (Riverine and Flash)
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Winter Storm (Extreme Cold)
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Severe Weather (Thunderstorm, Lightning, Hail, Fog)
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Tornado
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Excessive Heat & Drought
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Wildfire
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Soil Movement (Land Subsidence)
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HazMat Transportation
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Rail Accidents
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Dam Failure
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Emerging Infectious Diseases
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You can learn more about each hazard by reviewing the 2018 Allegany County Hazard Mitigation Plan, or by scrolling through the slideshow below.
Flood (Riverine and Flash)
The County is drained by streams generally having their headwaters on steep, sandstone ridges. For the most part, major streams flow through narrow shale and limestone valleys, which are generally parallel to the ridge tops with smaller tributaries draining the ridges. These streams, all of which drain into the Potomac River, are subject to rapid runoff from rainfall and snow melt. Allegany County experiences both flash and riverine flooding. Flash floods occur suddenly with tremendous force, usually as a result of torrential rainfall or thunderstorm event over a short period of time. Riverine flooding in Allegany County is typically associated with snow melt or persistent rain from a strong frontal system, tropical storm, or remnants of hurricanes that have made their way in-land.
Flood of 1996 in Allegany County.
Source: This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-ND.