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Extent. In the United States, there are an estimated 25 <br />million lightning flashes each year. In an average year, Florida <br />sees around 1.4 million of these lightning strikes. This makes <br />Florida the "Lightning Capital of the United States." Lightning <br />occurs with every thunderstorm and, on average, Florida sees <br />around 70-100 days a year with at least one thunderstorm in <br />the state. Because of Florida's vulnerability to thunderstorms <br />and lightning, lightning is one of the most deadly weather <br />hazards in the Sunshine State. This statistic makes Indian <br />River County more vulnerable and having a higher probability <br />to lightning having an impact on our community. <br />Risk Assessment. Vulnerability to severe thunderstorms and <br />lightning is high in Indian River County, but many of the <br />jurisdictions and population centers have only moderate <br />vulnerabilities relative to these hazards. This variation in <br />relative levels of vulnerability is again primarily due to <br />construction practices and community characteristics. Working <br />communities have a higher vulnerability to economic impacts <br />by lightning than residential or retirement communities, all <br />other factors being equal, while residential and retirement <br />communities have a historically higher vulnerability in terms of <br />lightning fatalities. <br />At the time of publication, a risk assessment model for severe <br />thunderstorms was not available. The County can expect <br />losses similar to what it experienced in the past, which is about <br />an average of $17,500 per year in property damage. The most <br />vulnerable areas in Indian River County would be open areas <br />such as the shoreline, golf courses, open fields (i.e., Vero <br />Beach Regional Airport, Indian River Fairgrounds, sports <br />arenas, etc.) This vulnerability is increased because these <br />areas are where large populations congregate. There could <br />also be a significant loss of life as well as economic impacts to <br />transportation systems, tourism, etc. <br />e. Wildfire — Hazard Identification <br />Wildfire is defined by the Florida Forest Service (FFS) as any <br />fire that does not meet management objectives or is out of <br />control. Wildfires occur in Florida every year and are part of the <br />natural cycle of Florida's fire -adapted ecosystems. Many of <br />these fires are quickly suppressed before they can damage or <br />destroy property, homes and lives. <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 31 <br />