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Because thunderstorms are hazards that are not bounded by geographic or <br /> topographic characteristics , there are no definite means to determine whether or not the <br /> extent of this hazard differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction within Indian River County . <br /> 4. 1 . 4. 2 Vulnerability Assessment <br /> Thunderstorm events can have the following potential impacts within a <br /> community : <br /> • Excessive wind ; <br /> Excessive water; <br /> • Damaging hail ; <br /> • Electric power outage ; <br /> • Surface and air transportation disruption ; <br /> • Telecommunications system outage ; <br /> • Human health and safety ; <br /> • Psychological hardship ; <br /> • Economic disruption ; <br /> • Fire ; and <br /> • Stormwater drainage impairment. <br /> Thunderstorms typically cause damage in a community by knocking down trees <br /> and power lines . Downed trees can block key roadways within a community , making <br /> emergency response more difficult . Downed power lines block roadways , disrupt businesses <br /> when power is lost , and pose threats to people when lines are severed . Mobile homes also <br /> `%W are more susceptible during severe thunderstorm activity. According to the 2000 U . S . <br /> Census , there are 6 , 786 mobile homes in Indian River County , representing 11 . 7% of the <br /> total housing units in the County . Three municipalities within Indian River COL my have <br /> significant concentrations of mobile homes . Sebastian has a total of 564 mob le homes , <br /> representing 7 . 6 % of the total housing units . Wabasso has a total of 166 mobile homes , <br /> representing 31 . 9% of the total housing units . Fellsmere has a total of 397 mobile homes , <br /> representing 42 . 4% of the total housing units . <br /> 4. 1 . 4. 3 Risk Assessment <br /> Vulnerability to severe thunderstorms and lightning is high in Indian River County , <br /> but many of the jurisdictions and population centers have only moderate vulnerabilities <br /> relative to these hazards . This variation in relative levels of vulnerability is again primarily <br /> due to construction practices and community characteristics . Working Communities have a <br /> higher vulnerability to economic impacts by lightning than residential or retirenlent <br /> communities , all other factors being equal , while residential and retirement communities have <br /> a historically higher vulnerability in terms of lightning fatalities . <br /> At the time of publication , a risk assessment model for severe thunderstorms was <br /> not available . The County can expect losses similar to what it experienced in he past , which <br /> is about an average of $ 17 , 500 per year in property damage . <br /> 4-33 <br />