2020-209 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

freezing over a large area for an extended period of time, regardless of whether or not frost develops. Hazard Identification. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a moderate freeze (Defined as 25°F to 28°F) may be expected every 1 to 2 years. Severe freezes (Defined as 24°F and below) may be expected on an average of once every 15 to 20 years. Freezes pose a major hazard to the agriculture industry in Indian River County on a recurring basis, and are a significant threat to the economic vitality of the State's vital agriculture industry. Agricultural lands represent over 51% of the unincorporated area of Indian River County (Indian River County Future Land Use Element 2030). According to Florida's Council on Homelessness, a point -in - time county for the period of 2015-2019 indicated that Indian River County had an average of 486 homeless individuals within the County (https://mvflfamilies.com/service- programs/homelessness/docs/2019CounciI Report. pd ). Inland communities away from the moderating influence of the ocean or the estuary are more vulnerable to temperature extremes as are areas with significant agricultural assets. (Council on Homelessness - Florida Department of Children and Families, 2013). Historic Events. Indian River County has experienced four significant freezes between 1970 and the present. Florida has experienced a number of severe or disastrous freezes, when the majority of the winter crops are lost. The lowest temperature ever recorded in the state of Florida is -2°F (NCDC, 1999a) on February 13, 1899 in Tallahassee. Since December 1889, there have been at least 22 recorded severe freezes; the most recent being in 2010, when a Secretarial Disaster Declaration was issued for crop losses estimated to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. During this event, everything from fruits and vegetables to nursery plants and shrubs to tropical fish felt the effects of the freeze. There were no data available to document previous occurrences of severe freeze by jurisdiction. During the 2013 revision process, data indicated that the likelihood and probability of future occurrences of severe winter storms in Florida tended to result more in flooding and Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 41