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<br />The geological hazard risks to the county are rock and mudslides, avalanches, and <br />. subsidence. Earthquakes are rare, although a fault does runs through the county. More <br />analysis is necessary to determine the amount of earthquake protection needed, in which <br />areas and how to incorporate it in the master planning. <br /> <br />Rock and mudslide accidents occur all along mountainous 1-70. Spring insurance claims <br />increase by 15 percent due to road rocks. C-DOT must close the highway for clean-up <br />regularly <br /> <br />Avalanche control measures are used in the county to lessen the risk. A Loveland Ski <br />Area avalanche in 1997 swept across a parking lot, damaging heavy equipment and other <br />vehicles estimated at $200,000. Had it occurred just two hours later, the parking lot would <br />have been full of skiers. <br /> <br />Subsidence is sort of a silent threat in Clear Creek County. With hundreds of old mine <br />shafts, soil can give way from heavy thunderstorms, the weight of heavy snow or from slow <br />sand seepage. Mine access roads have been known to sink without warning trapping <br />vehicles. The county maintains mine-shaft mapping and is referred to in case of a <br />subsidence incident or a mine rescue. Mining property is cheap and buyers are not always <br />aware of the hazards. A GIS hazard overlay could better identify those at risk or forbid <br />development over old mine property. <br /> <br />A plan for an early emergency warning system (EWS) is crucial for Clear Creek County. <br />The demographics and topography here are not conducive to clear radio transmission. The <br />local cable station is not set up for proper installation of the Emergency Alert System. <br />Reverse 911 would be helpful in early warning notification, but it could not warn travelers. <br />Sirens are no longer in use, other than for fire and rescue in Idaho Springs. A <br />combination project would be the best solution suited for this community. Listed below <br />are a few reasons why EWS is desirable in Clear Creek County. <br />. 1998 Crash Data Report, just released, rated Clear Creek County number 1 in Colorado. <br />. Injury accidents at 177; 5 fatalities; 374 injured! <br />Severe winter/spring weather and high traffic volumes cause serious risk to motorists. <br />. In November 1995, a 60-car pileup stalls motorists for 5 hours. Injures 25. <br />. Emergency fire medical and shelter costs were estimated at $150,000. <br />. February 17, 1999, 1-70 was closed from Georgetown to Vail due to a winter storm. <br />. Emergency shelter was provided for 300+ people until 1-70 reopened. <br />The enormous surge population forces the need for an effective early warning system. <br /> <br />4 <br />