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Vulnerability Assessment. Drought can have the following <br /> potential impacts within a community: <br /> • Economic disruption; <br /> • Agricultural/fisheries damage; <br /> • Damage to critical environmental resources; and <br /> • Wildland fire. <br /> While Indian River County is moderately vulnerable to impacts <br /> from drought due to the County's large agricultural land tax <br /> base, some communities are less vulnerable due to their <br /> location and non-agricultural economic base. <br /> A few examples of direct impacts of drought are reduced crop, <br /> rangeland, and forest productivity; increased fire hazard; <br /> reduced water levels; increased livestock and wildlife mortality <br /> rates; and damage to wildlife and fish habitat. Social impacts <br /> include public safety, health, conflicts between water users, <br /> reduced quality of life, and inequities in the distribution of <br /> impacts and disaster relief. Income loss is another indicator <br /> used in assessing the impacts of drought; reduced income for <br /> farmers has a ripple effect throughout the region's economy <br /> (National Drought Mitigation Center, 2003). <br /> The web of impacts is so diffuse that it is very difficult to come <br /> up with financial estimates of damages. However, FEMA <br /> estimates $6 to $8 billion in losses as the annual average <br /> (FEMA, 1995). The worst drought (36% of U.S.) in recent <br /> history occurred in July 1988, and the NCDC reports the <br /> estimated cost as $40 billion (National Drought Mitigation <br /> Center, 2010). <br /> Risk Assessment. Indian River County overall, has a <br /> moderate vulnerability to the impacts from drought due to the <br /> County's large agricultural land tax base. The western area of <br /> the County is most vulnerable to the impacts of drought <br /> because this area is extensively involved in farming and <br /> ranching. As of 2012, the average annual market value of <br /> agricultural products in Indian River County was $145 million <br /> ( rv.agcensus.usda. ov). The urbanized communities along <br /> the County's coast are less vulnerable due to their location and <br /> non-agricultural economic base. Potential impacts to Indian <br /> River County's potable water supply during drought conditions <br /> appear to be slight. <br /> Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 48 <br />