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SITUATION <br />This section of the CEMP provides a description of the potential hazard <br />considerations, geographic characteristics, demographics, economic profile and <br />emergency management support facilities for Indian River County. Additionally, <br />there are several planning assumptions that were considered in the planning <br />process. For a complete vulnerability assessment, see the Indian River County <br />Local Mitigation Strategy (originally adopted by Resolution #99-125, first revision in <br />2005 and the second revision was adopted by Resolution #2010-59 by the Board of <br />County Commissioners on July 13, 2010). <br />A. HAZARD ANALYSIS <br />Communities in Indian River County are vulnerable to three classifications of <br />hazards: natural, technological, and societal as identified below. A chart <br />depicting the hazard vulnerability by jurisdiction and population centers can <br />be found in Table 4.25 in Section 4, pages 74-75 of the county's Local <br />Mitigation Strategy. <br />Natural Hazards <br />a. Hurricanes/Tropical Storms <br />Hurricanes are tropical cyclones with winds that exceed 74 <br />mph and circulate counter -clockwise about their centers in the <br />Northern Hemisphere. They are formed from simple <br />thunderstorms; however, these thunderstorms can only grow to <br />hurricane strength with favorable conditions in the ocean and <br />atmosphere. The heat and moisture from this warm water are <br />ultimately the source of energy for hurricanes, which weaken <br />rapidly when they travel over land or colder ocean waters <br />(University of Illinois). <br />When a hurricane threatens the coast, advisories are issued <br />by the National Hurricane center. The storm's current location <br />and intensity are described along with its projected path. <br />Advisories are issued at 6 -hour intervals: 5:00 a.m., 11:00 <br />a.m., 5:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., Eastern Time. <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 7 <br />