2012-003E - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Heat Index of 130°F or Higher: Heatstroke/sunstroke highly likely with continued exposure • Heat Index of 105°F -130°F: Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion likely and heatstroke possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity • Heat Index of 90°F -105°F: Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity • Heat Index of 80°F -90°F: Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity g. Erosion (1) Soil Erosion Soil erosion is the deterioration of soil by the physical movement of soil particles from a given site. Wind, water, animals, and the use of tools by man may all be reasons for erosion. The two most powerful erosion agents are wind and water but in most cases these are damaging only after man, animals, insects, diseases, or fire have removed or depleted natural vegetation. Accelerated erosion caused by human activity is the most serious form of soil erosion, and can occur so rapidly that surface soil may sometimes be blown or washed away down to the bedrock. Undisturbed by man, soil is usually covered by shrubs and trees, dead and decaying leaves, or a thick mat of grass. Whatever the vegetation, it protects the soil when rain falls or wind blows. Root systems of plants hold soil together. Even in drought, the roots of native grasses, which extend several feet into the ground, help tie down the soil and keep it from blowing away. With its covering of vegetation stripped away, soil is vulnerable to damage. Whether the plant cover is disturbed by cultivation, grazing, deforestation, burning, or bulldozing, once the soil is bare to the erosive action of wind and water, the slow rate of natural erosion is greatly increased. Losses of soil take place much faster than new soil can be created. With the Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 18