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readily available to the vegetation. In November, 2009, the <br />lack of rainfall during rainy season led to Indian River County <br />being named the driest county in the state of Florida and, <br />according to the Florida Florida Forest Service, in danger of <br />wildfires. According to the Keetch Bryam Drought Index, the <br />county measured in at 649 when the normal range for that time <br />of year is 271-420. Indian River County could reasonably <br />expect to see a drought index of this magnitude. <br />k. Seismic Hazards (Dam/Levee Failure) — Hazard <br />Identification. Dam/levee failure poses a minor threat to <br />population and property in Indian River County. All dams and <br />levees are earthen structures and are State, regional, local, or <br />privately controlled. The most significant risk related to <br />dam/levee failure is flooding due to substantial rainfall and its <br />eastward migration to final discharge in the Indian River <br />Lagoon. Structural and non-structural techniques to slow and <br />contain this runoff incorporate several drainage systems. <br />Rainfall in excess of designed capacities could cause erosion <br />of constructed drainage facilities and flooding of many areas <br />including primary roadway evacuation routes (Indian River <br />County Emergency Management, 2002). According to the <br />National Inventory of Dams, there are five listed dams in Indian <br />River County (South Relief Structure, Lateral C Structure, Main <br />Canal Structure, North Relief Canal Structure, Lateral <br />Structure #3 (United States Army Corps of Engineers, 1999). <br />Extent. Best available data do not indicate that there have <br />been any dam or levee failures in Indian River County or the <br />municipalities. The overall extent of seismic hazards in Indian <br />River County is uniform throughout the individual jurisdictions <br />in the County. <br />Seismic Hazards (Earthquakes) — Hazard Identification. <br />Although Florida is not usually considered to be a state subject <br />to earthquakes, several minor shocks have occurred overtime, <br />but only one caused any damage (USDOI, USGS, 2004). <br />Historic Events. <br />In January 1879, a shock occurred near St. Augustine that <br />is reported to have knocked plaster from walls and articles <br />from shelves. Similar effects were reported in Daytona <br />Beach. The shock was felt in Tampa, throughout central <br />Indian River County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Basic Page 54 <br />