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Mitigation Strategy Report FEMA-1134-DR-NC State of North Carolina Division of Emergency Management Drainage systems were inadequately maintained in many areas. This significantly increased flood levels in some communities. Several municipalities, particularly those in the coastal plain, are located in areas that are naturally predisposed to flood. These low-lying areas will require significant drainage improvements. Once completed, drainage systems must be maintained. Communities should regularly inspect drainage improvements and review drainage maintenance programs. Drainage structures, including culverts and pipes, should be upgraded as needed. Perhaps most important is the need for communities to beller coordinate proposed improvements and existing water management plans with neighboring locales. Coordination is necessary in order to improve basin-wide storm water management plans to include larger planning and land use issues as they relate to the mitigation of regional flood hazards. Communities facing repeated flooding should discourage continued development in the floodplain as part of a comprehensive storm water management plan. . Dam Failures Dams are an often overlooked element of public infrastructure. In North Carolina, dams exist throughout the State and have played an important role in its economic development. Dams are relied on to generate power, provide communities with drinking water, and protect individuals from floods. There are over 4,600 dams in North Carolina. According to the Division of Land Resources, approximately 1,700 dams pose a risk to pubiic safety and property if a dam failure were to occur. Communities continue to develop along the State's rivers, many in potential dam failure inundation zones. Further exacerbating the potential risk to citizens is the disrepair of many dams and the lack of sound plans to help guide necessary repairs and warning systems to alert the public In the event of a dam failure. As a result of Fran, there were three major dam failures and twelve minor failures involving private facilities. Thus, it is imperative that the State assess all dams to determine their vulnerability to future flood events, This assessment should include a study to determine the degree of risk to people and property downstream in the event of a dam failure. An additional outreach effort should be undertaken to make public officials more aware of the potential dangers associated with existing dams, particularly those that are no longer operational. Furthermore, private dam owners should be informed of proper dam maintenance and operation. . Agricultural Losses According to the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Hurricane Fran caused an estimated $684 million in damages to the State's agriculture industry, This was over three times the damages sustained during Hurricane Bertha. Tobacco and corn crops were hit especially hard. The damages to collon, sweet potatoes, and peanuts are still unknown. Crops in the field sustained wind and water damages, and tobacco in barns was ruined due to the loss of electricity. Damages to crops in the field could be reduced by properly maintaining drainage systems. Backup generators in tobacco barns could be used to lessen future losses due to power outages. Losses to the livestock and poultry industry included farm structures, animals, and buildings housing livestock. Over 16,000 hogs, as well as one million chickens and turkeys, were lost. In some cases, ranchers lost compiete flocks due to the inundation of buildings with flood water. As a result of the intense rains associated with Hurricane Fran, several agricultural waste lagoons were overtopped. As these structures are rebuilt, new construction should be at least two feet above the BFE-or the highest flood of record, which ever is greater In cases where farmers are able to do so, new agricultural structures-including waste lagoons, should be buill out of the floodplain or highest recorded flood extent, whichever is greater. The possibility of using overflow pipes in waste lagoons should also be investigated. Overflow pipes allow rain water to drain from the lagoon before being overtopped thereby preventing the failure of the lagoon. However, the use of overflow pipes must be reviewed carefully in order to ensure that this does not encourage farmers to fill a lagoon with more waste than is acceptable under existing regulations. The use of overflow pipes must also comply with current DEHNR outflow rules and standards, Page 17