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PROPOSED REVISIONS TO COASTAL MANAGEMENT ELEMENT Comprehensive Plan Coastal Management Element These counterclockwise -rotating, extreme low pressure storms can reach ten miles in height, can spread over several hundred miles in diameter, and can generate winds in excess of 74 miles per hour (MPH), the minimum wind speed necessary to be classified as a hurricane. The official hurricane season extends from June 1 st to November 30th, with 62 percent of all Florida hurricanes occurring during September and October. While extensive rainfall commonly occurs during a hurricane and may cause widespread inland flooding, the greatest danger associated with a hurricane is storm surge. Storm surge can be described as the rise in wave and tidal heights associated with a hurricane. The vulnerability of an area to storm surge is dependent upon the potential height that a storm surge can achieve along a particular coast and the distance to which the surge can penetrate inland upon making landfall. Thus, low-lying coastal topography, such as inlets, beaches and estuaries, are especially susceptible to the destructive forces of a storm surge (Hurricane Manual for Marine Interests in Indian River County). • Coastal High Hazard Area The Coastal High Hazard Area (CHHA) is defined as the area below the storm surge line of a Category 1 hurricane as established by a Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) computer model. The CHHA is depicted in figure 9.11. As of 2018, Indian River County has also designated the CHHA as an "Adaptation Action Area" (AAA) in accordance with Section 163.3164(1) KS and in support of Objective 15 of this Element and its associated policies. An AAA is defined as one or more areas that experience coastal flooding due to extreme high tides and storm surge, and that are vulnerable to the related impacts of rising sea levels for the purpose of prioritizing funding for infrastructure needs and adaptation planning. Within the CHHA, most of the land is designated for residential use, with permitted densities ranging from 3 to 10 units per acre. A substantial portion of this land is currently developed. Much of that development took place at a time when the CHHA was more narrowly defined as land on the barrier island, east of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL). • Hurricane Vulnerability Zone Although many areas are subject to coastal flooding associated with the severe weather of hurricanes, other areas face imminent danger from the storms. Those areas which face severe erosion, flooding, storm surge, or other direct storm related damages from a Category III hurricane constitute the Hurricane Vulnerability Zone (HVZ). The HVZ is depicted in Figure 9.12. This zone has been identified for special planning and evacuation purposes. • Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan In accordance with Chapter 252, F.S., Indian River County has adopted a Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). The CEMP replaces the Peacetime Emergency Plan (PEP), the Florida Community Development Department Indian River County 17 APPENDIX A