Natural Hazards Planning

Annual Floodplain Management Information

Revised Flood Damage Prevention Regulations for Licking County Ohio (FDPR) became effective for planning and permitting purposes on January 26, 2007, in the unincorporated areas of the county. Revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and the accompanying Flood Insurance Study (FIS) became effective for flood insurance purposes on May 2, 2007, for the entire county.

Enclosed with this information is a fact sheet on Licking County Flood Protection Information, including flood insurance information, a copy of the Licking County Property Owner’s Guide to Stream Maintenance, and a copy of the Licking County Flood Hazard Boundary Map.

For more information on these topics, or any other floodplain management, environmental planning, or natural hazard planning issue in Licking County, please visit www.lcounty.com and look under the header Building/Development, then click on Floodplain Management, or look under the header Judicial/Legal/Safety, then click on Natural Hazards Planning, or contact me at (740) 670-5200.

New to our package of information this year is a fact sheet from the Licking County Engineers Officer regarding Licking County’s MS4 Program - A Program to Manage Storm Water Runoff and Protect Our Streams from Pollution, and also information from the Licking County Office of Homeland Security / Emergency Management / 911 Center.

NEWS RELEASE

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NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK 2011

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American Red Cross Month

SEATTLE - March is American Red Cross Month, a great opportunity for citizens, families and businesses to review disaster plans and build or restock emergency kits. According to FEMA Administrator Ken Murphy, the American Red Cross not only provides help, hope and healing when disaster strikes, but also offers a wide selection of CPR/AED, first aid, disaster response and emergency preparedness training.

"The Red Cross is FEMA's major partner coordinating food and shelter during catastrophic disasters, but the key to any successful emergency response, regardless of the nature of the event, is personal preparedness," said Murphy. "Red Cross classes and resources help people prepare with a few simple steps: build an emergency supply kit, make an emergency plan, and stay informed of the hazards in your area. These resources can go a long way towards empowering our communities to make a real difference when the chips are down."

President Obama recognized the month's significance in a proclamation released yeseterday: Click Here

Resolve to be Ready in 2011 is led by FEMA's Ready Campaign in partnership with Citizen Corps and The Advertising Council. For more information on the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, visit Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov. Follow FEMA online at Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube (www.twitter.com/craigatferma). Social media links are provided for reference only. FEMA does not endorse non-government websites, companies, or applications.

Ohio’s Outdoor Burning Restrictions begin March 1

Spring ushers in Wildfire Season COLUMBUS, OH – Ohioans are urged to be aware of the state’s outdoor burning regulations and take necessary precautions if they are planning to burn debris, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry.

Ohio law states that outdoor debris burning is prohibited from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.during March, April and May. Burning is limited in the spring due to the abundance of dry fuel on the ground. Spring breezes can make a seemingly safe burn quite hazardous.

“Most people are surprised to learn Ohio usually has about 500 spring wildfires, which burn around 3,000 acres annually,” said Robert Boyles, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Longer daylight hours, lower humidity and gusty spring winds increase the risk of wildfires. We urge caution when burning outside because it only takes a little wind to cause a debris fire to escape control and spread.”

It is important to follow Ohio’s open burning regulations. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's regulations prohibit burning leaves and other yard waste within a municipal corporation or a restricted area near a municipality. Rules also prohibit open burning within 1,000 feet of an inhabited building on a neighboring property.

Brush, tree trimmings and leaves may be burned only on the property where they are generated if boundary requirements are met. Garbage, dead animals or material containing rubber, grease or petroleum (such as tires) cannot be burned in Ohio.

Violators of Ohio’s burning regulations are subject to citations and fines.

Consult with local fire officials about burning conditions. If a fire does escape control, immediately contact the local fire department. An escaped wildfire, even one burning in grass or weeds, is dangerous.

The ODNR Division of Forestry offers these safety tips for burning debris outdoors:

Consider using a 55-gallon drum with a weighted screen lid to provide an enclosed incinerator.
Know current and future weather conditions, have suppression tools on hand, and always stay nearby the debris burn.
Know state and local burning regulations.
Consult your local fire department for additional information and safety considerations.
Visit ohiodnr.com/forestry and www.firewise.org for more information and tips on protecting your rural home and community.
Remember— “Don’t burn during the day - March, April and May!”

Ohio grows more acres of trees than corn and soybeans combined. The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit ohiodnr.com/forestry.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.

October is Fire Safety Month. Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10:00pm and 7:00am, when residents are typically sleeping.

Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious. In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.

Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time to escape. The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home with working smoke alarms.

To find out what type of smoke alarms are available for your home, including where to install and how to maintain them, visit Focus on Fire Safety: Smoke Alarms on the U.S. Fire Administration's website.

September is National Preparedness Month

Ready.gov
Build a Disaster Supplies Kit

Seasons come and go, but the need for safety in dealing with severe weather events knows no season. In fact, the more information we have regarding extremes of nature, the better we can protect our family, our property, and our community.

Licking County officals have partnered with various other agencies and entities to present the following information to help increase the safety of our citizens.

LCPC Logo

Severe Weather - News Release

COLUMBUS, OH– Ice and wind are not only hazardous for walking and driving, but the recent build up of ice on trees is adding to the challenging weather conditions. These winter storm conditions can impact Ohio’s tremendous tree resources, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Forestry.

“Ice can increase the weight of branches by 10 to 100 times, and coupled with windy conditions, can present added dangers,” cautioned Robert Boyles, Division of Forestry’s acting state forester and chief. “Homeowners and woodland owners should be very careful around their properties, not only during the current winter storm, but when later dealing with damaged trees.”

ODNR’s Division of Forestry suggests waiting until ice has melted off trees, whenever possible, before addressing tree damage. The stress of leaning trees and bent or broken branches can present unsafe conditions. Trees overhanging homes or around utility lines may cause problems as well.

“In addition to weathering storms better, well-maintained residential, city or woodland tree resources provide Ohioans with numerous environmental, social and economic benefits,” said Boyles.

Trees with pre-existing conditions, such as weak branches and shallow roots, are the most prone to ice failure. A certified arborist can provide guidelines for dealing with damaged residential trees, and insured and bonded tree care companies have experience and proper equipment for cutting and disposing of hazard trees and branches.

Woodland owners can check with a certified forester or their Division of Forestry service forester for advice on dealing with heavily impacted areas. The Ohio Forestry Association maintains a list of Ohio Master Logging companies who may be able to assist woodland owners with damaged woodlands. Visit the association’s Web site at www.ohioforest.org or call the office at (614) 497-9580.

Ohio grows more acres of trees than corn and soybeans combined. The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit the Division of Forestry’s Web site at www.ohiodnr.com/forestry.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com.

Ohio Spring Severe Weather Awareness

The Licking County Planning Department and the Licking County Homeland Security/Emergency Management/911 Agency have partnered with the National Weather Service and the Ohio Committee for Severe Spring Weather Awareness Week to increase the knowledge of citizens regarding severe spring and summer weather events for the 2009 season.

Ohio Spring Weather Awareness

Ohio Spring Weather Awareness - Tornado
If you wish to view previous awareness weeks please feel free to follow the link below:
Previous Information

CANHMP

In order to comply with the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, Licking County has prepared a 2012 CANHMP Update to the existing 2007 FMA Update as well as the original 2003 CANHMP document. This 2012 CANHMP Update is currently being reviewed by Ohio EMA in Columbus and FEMA Region V in Chicago will review and approve the document as being compliant.

The 2012 CANHMP Update will then be submitted to participating local specific jurisdictions (Villages and Cities), as well as the Licking County Commissioners, for their review and adoption.

The 2012 CANHMP Update can be reviewed and commented on at the Licking County Planning Department office, 20 South Second Street, 1st Floor, Newark OH, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, except Holidays.

Click here to view the County-wide All Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, February 27, 2014 adoption.

Local Jurisdictions participating in the 2012 CANHMP Update:

Newark

Buckeye Lake
The Licking County Planning Department, in cooperation with the City of Newark, has previously updated the 2003 Countywide All Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (CANHMP) to meet Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) requirements as of 2007. The result will qualify Licking County unincorporated and the city of Newark for additional future mitigation fund requests designed to reduce flood risks for Licking County residents and businesses, as well as infrastructure such as roads, bridges, etc.

Click here to view the draft 2007 FMA Plan.

In addition to flooding hazards, the 2003 Countywide All Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (CANHMP) (9.1 MB) addresses other Licking County hazards.

Click here to view the 2003 CANHMP.

CRS Flood Information Brochure

Stream Maintenance Brochure

Licking County's MS4 Program

Licking County Flood Boundary Map

Storm Water

Final CANHMP