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which in turn places both human and wildlife populations at <br />higher levels of risk. <br />The St. Johns Water Management District and County staff <br />manage the County's water resources. Complementing the <br />District's water management efforts during periods of critical <br />water shortage, a countywide, uniform, forceful, contingency <br />plan is in place to effectively restrict the use of water. <br />Historic Events. Florida experienced one of the most severe <br />droughts in 2007 dating back to when records started in the <br />early 1900s. Lake Okeechobee, the region's primary reservoir, <br />was down to less than half a foot above its record low. The <br />$15 billion landscaping and nursery industries, which comprise <br />Florida's largest agricultural sector, may have been the hardest <br />hit. In November 2009 the lack of rainfall during rainy season <br />led to Indian River County being named the driest county in the <br />state and in danger of wildfires. <br />Extent. Due to the low probability of occurrence, this hazard <br />will not be fully profiled. <br />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 />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 52 <br />