Resolution No. 4814 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Table 7.4 Potential Impacts of Winter Storms on the Eugene/Springfield I~etro Area Inventory Probable Impacts Entire city may be affected by mad closures or loss of electric Portion of Eugene/Springfield Metro Area affected power; otherwise direct damages to buildings and infrastructure are I~kely to be localized and relatively minor Isolated minor damage from tree falls, some buildings affected by Buildings flood damage in major storms, especially in the storm water drainage problem areas identified in Section 6.3 M~nor road closures due to tree falls and flooding: I~m~ted impact Streets within Metro Area because of short detour routes within Eugene/Spnngfield Metro Area Potential closures of major highways due to snow, debns flows or Roads to/from Metro Area landslides, localized flooding and tree falls, especially routes ~nto the Cascades and Coast Range Loss of electric power may be localized due to tree fails on local Electric power distribution hnes or affect enbre city ~f tree falls affect transmission lines feeding Eugene/Springfield Metro Area Other Utilities Generally minor or no impacts on other utilities from w~nter storms Casualties Small potential for casualties (deaths and injuries) from tree falls or contact with downed power lines 7.4 i~litigation of Winter Storm Impacts Potential mitigation projects for winter storms address any of the aspects of such storms, including floods, winds, and landslides (see Chapter 8). See also Chapter 13 for additional discussion of the disruptions to utility and transportation systems. For winter storm flooding, the mitigation measures discussed in Chapter 6 (Floods) for local storm water drainage flooding are exactly the mitigation measures for the flood aspects of winter storms. Common mitigation projects include: upgrading storm water drainage systems, construction of detention basins, and structure-specific mitigation measures (acquisition, elevation, flood proofing)for flood-prone buildings. For roads subject to frequent winter storm flooding, possible mi[igation actions include elevation of the road surface and improved local drainage. For utilities subject to frequent winter storm flooding, possible mitigation actions include improved local drainage, elevation or relocation of the vulnerable utility elements to non-flood prone areas nearby. For wind effects of winter storms, the most common and most effective mitigation action is to increase tree trimming efforts, because a high percentage of wind damage to utilities, buildings, vehicles, and people arises from tree falls. However, economic, political and esthetic realities place limits on tree trimming as a mitigation action. Future wind storm damage in the Eugene/Springfield Metro Area could be almost eliminated by cutting down all large trees in the area. Obviously, such an extreme mitigation measure is neither practical nor desirable for many reasons. Effective tree trimming mitigation programs focus on limited areas where tree falls have a high potential to result in major damages and economic losses. High pdority areas include examples such as the following: Public Review Draft: August 6, 2004 7-10