2012 Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Draft

2012 TANEY COUNTY
DRAFT
Multi-Jurisdictional Natural
Hazard Mitigation Plan

July 2012
 2012 TANEY COUNTY
DRAFT
Multi-Jurisdictional Natural
Hazard Mitigation Plan
For Taney County, Missouri and its Incorporated Communities,
School and Other Special Districts

July 2012

901 S. National Avenue
Taney County Commission Emergency Management
Taney County Courthouse Springfield, MO 65897 221 Jefferson Road
P.O. Box 1086 (417) 836-6900 Branson, MO 65616
Forsyth, MO 65653 smcog.missouristate.edu (417) 334-3440
(417) 546-7204
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Executive Summary .................................................................................................... viii

Part 1: Introduction ................................................................................................... 1-1
Purpose of Plan............................................................................................................ 1-1
Basis for Planning Authority ......................................................................................... 1-2
Assurance Statements of Compliance with FEMA ........................................................ 1-3
Plan Organization and Contents ................................................................................... 1-3
Public Involvement ....................................................................................................... 1-4
Plan Adoption ............................................................................................................... 1-5
Plan Preparation Methodology and Schedule ............................................................... 1-7
Plan Review and Update Process ................................................................................ 1-9
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... 1-11

Part 2: Community Profile ........................................................................................ 2-1
Location ....................................................................................................................... 2-1
Development History .................................................................................................... 2-2
Form of Government .................................................................................................... 2-2
Physical Characteristics ............................................................................................... 2-3
Physiography and Geography ................................................................................ 2-3
Hydrology and Drainage ......................................................................................... 2-4
Climate and Weather .............................................................................................. 2-7
Soils ....................................................................................................................... 2-7
Significant Natural Communities ............................................................................. 2-8
Demographics .............................................................................................................. 2-9
Population Trends .................................................................................................. 2-9
Age Characteristics .............................................................................................. 2-11
Race and Ethnicity................................................................................................ 2-12
Income Characteristics ......................................................................................... 2-12
Educational Attainment ......................................................................................... 2-13
Household Characteristics .................................................................................... 2-14
Economy, Employment, and Industry ......................................................................... 2-14
Labor Force Characteristics.................................................................................. 2-14
Primary Industries ................................................................................................ 2-15
Access to Employment: In-commuting and Out-commuting .................................. 2-16
Land Use.................................................................................................................... 2-17
Existing Land Use Patterns .................................................................................. 2-17
Public Land/Use Areas ......................................................................................... 2-18
Development Trends .................................................................................................. 2-20
Housing ...................................................................................................................... 2-20
Transportation Infrastructure ...................................................................................... 2-22
Roads ................................................................................................................... 2-22
Airports ................................................................................................................. 2-22
Public Transportation............................................................................................ 2-23
Railroads .............................................................................................................. 2-23
MoDOT Maintenance Facilities ............................................................................. 2-23
Utilities ....................................................................................................................... 2-25
Water Supply/Services ......................................................................................... 2-25

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

Wastewater Treatment Systems ........................................................................... 2-25
Solid Waste Disposal............................................................................................ 2-26
Electric Service..................................................................................................... 2-26
Telephone Service................................................................................................ 2-27
Natural Gas Service ............................................................................................. 2-27
Underground Utilities ............................................................................................ 2-27
Key Community Facilities and Services ...................................................................... 2-28
Law Enforcement ................................................................................................. 2-28
Fire Protection ...................................................................................................... 2-28
911 Emergency Communications ......................................................................... 2-29
Medical Facilities .................................................................................................. 2-29
Ambulance Service............................................................................................... 2-30
Other Key Facilities/Services ................................................................................ 2-30
Government Owned Buildings .................................................................................... 2-33
Centers of Large Population Concentration ................................................................ 2-36
Schools ................................................................................................................ 2-36
College of the Ozarks ........................................................................................... 2-36
Ozarks Technical College ..................................................................................... 2-39
Child Care Centers ............................................................................................... 2-40
Residential Care Facilities .................................................................................... 2-41
Senior Centers ..................................................................................................... 2-41
Commercial/Recreation Centers ........................................................................... 2-41
Major Employers .................................................................................................. 2-42
Flood Plain Management/Wetlands ............................................................................ 2-45
Wetlands .............................................................................................................. 2-45
National Flood Insurance Program ....................................................................... 2-45
Environmental Concerns ............................................................................................ 2-46
Hazardous Materials Sites .................................................................................... 2-46
Endangered Species .................................................................................................. 2-46
Historic Properties and Archeological Sites ................................................................ 2-47
Ralph Foster Museum .......................................................................................... 2-48
Community Plans ....................................................................................................... 2-48
Building and Fire Codes ............................................................................................. 2-49
Community Partnerships ............................................................................................ 2-50
Significant Cultural/Social Issues................................................................................ 2-51
Public Awareness ....................................................................................................... 2-51
Media Relations ......................................................................................................... 2-51
City/Village Profiles .................................................................................................... 2-52

Part 3: Risk Assessment........................................................................................... 3-1
Natural Hazard Identification/Elimination Process ........................................................ 3-1
Community-wide Hazard Profile and Hazards Identified ............................................... 3-1
Hazards not Included and Reasons for Elimination ...................................................... 3-2
Hazard Event Probability and Severity Ratings ............................................................ 3-2
Hazard Profile Format .................................................................................................. 3-3
Tornado........................................................................................................................ 3-3
Severe Thunderstorm................................................................................................... 3-9
Flood .......................................................................................................................... 3-15
Severe Winter Weather .............................................................................................. 3-22
Drought ...................................................................................................................... 3-29
Heat Wave ................................................................................................................. 3-33

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

Earthquake................................................................................................................. 3-37
Dam Failure ............................................................................................................... 3-44
Wildfires ..................................................................................................................... 3-49
Sinkhole ..................................................................................................................... 3-55
Public Health Emergencies ........................................................................................ 3-59
Disaster Declarations ................................................................................................. 3-64
Geographic Specific Hazards Composite Maps by Jurisdiction .................................. 3-64
Multi-jurisdictional Risk Assessment ........................................................................... 3-73
Natural Hazards Risk Identification and Analysis by Jurisdiction........................... 3-73
Vulnerability Assessment and Estimates of Potential Loss by Jurisdiction ............ 3-75
Area Wide Vulnerability Assessment Tables for Participating Jurisdictions ................ 3-79
Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Tables for Participating Jurisdictions ........................ 3-84
Vulnerability Assessment Tables for Taney County School Districts .......................... 3-93
Vulnerability Assessment Tables for Special Districts................................................. 3-98

Part 4: City/County Capability Assessment ............................................................. 4-1
Mitigation Management Policies ................................................................................... 4-1
Existing Plans............................................................................................................... 4-1
Mitigation Programs ..................................................................................................... 4-3
Capabilities and Responsibilities .................................................................................. 4-5
Assessment of Policies and Programs ....................................................................... 4-12

Part 5: Mitigation ........................................................................................................ 5-1
Introduction to Mitigation .............................................................................................. 5-1
Definition of Mitigation ............................................................................................ 5-1
Categories of Mitigation .......................................................................................... 5-1
Prevention Measures.............................................................................................. 5-1
Property Protection Measures ................................................................................ 5-1
Natural Resource Protection Measures .................................................................. 5-2
Emergency Services Measures .............................................................................. 5-2
Structural Mitigation Measures ............................................................................... 5-3
Public Information Mitigation Measures .................................................................. 5-3
How Mitigation Differs from Preparedness, Response, and Recovery .......................... 5-4
Mitigation Plan Benefits ................................................................................................ 5-4
Goals, Objectives and Mitigation Actions...................................................................... 5-5
Development Process ............................................................................................ 5-5
Actions Eliminated .................................................................................................. 5-5
Progress Made Towards Mitigation Actions ............................................................ 5-6
STAPLEE Cost-Benefit Review and Prioritization ................................................... 5-7
Mitigation Program/Strategy Development ................................................................. 5-10
Analysis and Prioritization of Mitigation Actions .......................................................... 5-14

Part 6: Plan Maintenance .......................................................................................... 6-1

Part 7: Appendices
Appendix A: Adoption Resolutions ............................................................................. A-1
Appendix B: Repetitive Losses ................................................................................... B-1
Appendix C: Acronyms ............................................................................................... C-1
Appendix D: Glossary................................................................................................. D-1
Appendix E: References ............................................................................................. E-1
Appendix F: Neighboring Jurisdictions ........................................................................F-1

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

List of Tables

Table 1-1 Record of Participation .......................................................................... 1-5
Table 1-2 Updates by Section of the 2010 Taney County
Hazard Mitigation Plan .......................................................................... 1-9
Table 1-3 Taney County Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting Attendance ................. 1-12

Table 2-1 Taney County Local Government .......................................................... 2-3
Table 2-2 Population Growth, 2000-2010 .............................................................. 2-9
Table 2-3 Taney County Age Specific Population, 2010...................................... 2-11
Table 2-4 Taney County and Municipalities, Age, 2010....................................... 2-11
Table 2-5 Race and Hispanic Population, 2010................................................... 2-12
Table 2-6 Taney County Household Income and Benefits, 2010 ......................... 2-12
Table 2-7 Educational Attainment, Population 25 Years and Older, 2010 ........... 2-13
Table 2-8 Taney County Household Characteristics, 2010 .................................. 2-14
Table 2-9 Employment by Industry, Taney County, 2009 .................................... 2-15
Table 2-10 Taney County Businesses and Employees, 2009................................ 2-15
Table 2-11 Place of Employment, 2010 ................................................................ 2-16
Table 2-12 Public Lands in Taney County ............................................................. 2-18
Table 2-13 Taney County Housing Characteristics, 2010...................................... 2-20
Table 2-14 Taney County Housing Units in Structure, 2010 .................................. 2-21
Table 2-15 Taney County Mobile Home Parks and Subdivisions .......................... 2-21
Table 2-16 Taney County Utility Service Providers ............................................... 2-27
Table 2-17 Medical Facilities in Taney County ...................................................... 2-29
Table 2-18 Ambulance Services in Taney County ................................................. 2-30
Table 2-19 Government Buildings in Taney County .............................................. 2-33
Table 2-20 Schools in Taney County .................................................................... 2-37
Table 2-21 Licensed and License Exempt Child Care Centers in Taney County ... 2-40
Table 2-22 Residential Care Facilities in Taney County ........................................ 2-41
Table 2-23 Senior Centers in Taney County ......................................................... 2-41
Table 2-24 Taney County Major Employers .......................................................... 2-42
Table 2-25 National Flood Insurance Program Participation.................................. 2-45
Table 2-26 Taney County Flood Insurance Policies .............................................. 2-45
Table 2-27 Threatened and Endangered Species in Taney County ...................... 2-47
Table 2-28 Adopted Codes in Taney County ......................................................... 2-49
Table 2-29 Media Resources Serving Taney County ............................................ 2-52

Table 3-1 Cascading Hazards Resulting from Natural Disasters ........................... 3-2
Table 3-2 Fujita and Enhanced Fujita Tornado Damage Scale ............................. 3-5
Table 3-3 Enhanced Fujita Damage Indicators and Degrees of Damage .............. 3-6
Table 3-4 Tornado History - Taney County, 1950-2012......................................... 3-8
Table 3-5 Probability of Future Tornado Occurrence by F-Scale ........................... 3-9
Table 3-6 Severity Rating of Tornado for Taney County by F-Scale ...................... 3-9
Table 3-7 National Weather Service Thunderstorm Wind Gust Legend............... 3-10
Table 3-8 Beaufort Wind Scale ........................................................................... 3-11
Table 3-9 TORRO Hailstorm Intensity Scale ....................................................... 3-12
Table 3-10 Thunderstorm Winds History – Taney County, 1955-2012 .................. 3-13
Table 3-11 Hail History – Taney County, 1955-2012 ............................................. 3-14
Table 3-12 Lightning History – Taney County, 1993-2012..................................... 3-14
Table 3-13 High Wind, Hail and Lightning Severity Ratings .................................. 3-15
Table 3-14 Flood Related Watches and Warnings ................................................ 3-19

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

Table 3-15 Flood History – Taney County, 1993-2012 .......................................... 3-20
Table 3-16 Flood Event by Month, 1993-2012 ...................................................... 3-21
Table 3-17 Federal Disaster Declarations, Taney County Flood Events,
1993-2004 ........................................................................................... 3-21
Table 3-18 Probability of Riverine and Flash Flood Events in Taney County ......... 3-21
Table 3-19 Severity Rating for Riverine and Flash Flood Events in Taney County 3-22
Table 3-20 National Weather Service Extreme Cold Risk Legend ......................... 3-23
Table 3-21 Wind Chill Advisory and Warning Definitions ....................................... 3-25
Table 3-22 Excessive Cold Threat Level ............................................................... 3-25
Table 3-23 Winter Storm History – Taney County, 1994-2011 .............................. 3-26
Table 3-24 Severe Winter Weather History – Taney County, 1994-2011 .............. 3-26
Table 3-25 Probability of Severe Winter Weather Event Occurrence .................... 3-28
Table 3-26 Stages of Drought ............................................................................... 3-31
Table 3-27 Drought Events for Taney County from 1996 - 2012 ........................... 3-32
Table 3-28 Risk Level for Possible Heat Disorders ............................................... 3-34
Table 3-29 Heat Index/Heat Disorder .................................................................... 3-34
Table 3-30 Heat Wave Response Levels .............................................................. 3-35
Table 3-31 Regional Heat Waves, 1993-2011 ....................................................... 3-36
Table 3-32 Earthquake Probable Severity ............................................................. 3-40
Table 3-33 Taney County Dams ........................................................................... 3-47
Table 3-34 Classes of Downstream Environment Zone......................................... 3-47
Table 3-35 Missouri Fire Statistics 2009: Causes ................................................. 3-49
Table 3-36 Land Cover in Taney County ............................................................... 3-50
Table 3-37 Classification of Wildland Urban Interface ........................................... 3-51
Table 3-38 Taney County Wildfire Statistics by Cause 2002-2011 ........................ 3-53
Table 3-39 Probability of Wildfire Occurrence by Danger Level ............................. 3-54
Table 3-40 Probability Rating for Sinkhole Occurrence in Taney County .............. 3-58
Table 3-41 Pandemic Severity Index..................................................................... 3-61
Table 3-42 Community Strategies by Pandemic Flu Severity ................................ 3-61
Table 3-43 Disaster Declarations--Taney County 2002-2012 ................................ 3-64
Table 3-44 Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction ..................... 3-75
Table 3-45 Critical Facilities, Definitions and Examples ........................................ 3-78
Table 3-46 Inventory of Critical Infrastructure in Taney County ............................. 3-79
Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Table 3-47 Unincorporated Taney County............................................................. 3-79
Table 3-48 City of Branson ................................................................................... 3-80
Table 3-49 Village of Bull Creek ............................................................................ 3-80
Table 3-50 City of Forsyth ..................................................................................... 3-81
Table 3-51 City of Hollister .................................................................................... 3-81
Table 3-52 City of Kirbyville................................................................................... 3-82
Table 3-53 Village of Merriamwoods ..................................................................... 3-82
Table 3-54 City of Rockaway Beach ..................................................................... 3-83
Table 3-55 City of Taneyville ................................................................................. 3-83
Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Table 3-56 Unincorporated Taney County............................................................. 3-84
Table 3-57 City of Branson ................................................................................... 3-85
Table 3-58 Village of Bull Creek ............................................................................ 3-86
Table 3-59 City of Forsyth ..................................................................................... 3-87
Table 3-60 City of Hollister .................................................................................... 3-88
Table 3-61 City of Kirbyville................................................................................... 3-89
Table 3-62 Village of Merriam Woods ................................................................... 3-90

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

Table 3-63 City of Rockaway Beach ..................................................................... 3-91
Table 3-64 Village of Taneyville ............................................................................ 3-92
Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
Table 3-65 Vulnerability Assessment for Taney County School Districts ............... 3-93
Table 3-66 Tornado .............................................................................................. 3-94
Table 3-67 Flood ................................................................................................... 3-94
Table 3-68 Severe Winter Storm ........................................................................... 3-95
Table 3-69 Drought ............................................................................................... 3-95
Table 3-70 Heat Wave .......................................................................................... 3-96
Table 3-71 Earthquake.......................................................................................... 3-96
Table 3-72 Dam Failure ........................................................................................ 3-97
Table 3-73 Wild Fire .............................................................................................. 3-97
Table 3-74 Sinkhole .............................................................................................. 3-98
Special Districts Vulnerability Assessment Tables
Table 3-75 Ozarks Technical Community College – Table Rock Campus 2013 .... 3-98

Table 4-1 City Plans and Regulations ................................................................. 4-16
Table 4-2 Taney County Capability Assessment ................................................. 4-17

Table 5-1 Actions Removed from the Taney Plan ................................................. 5-6
Table 5-2 Progress Made by Taney County Jurisdictions Toward
Mitigation Goals .................................................................................... 5-6
Table 5-3 Definitions of STAPLEE Criteria ............................................................ 5-8
Table 5-4 Modified STAPLEE with Simple Scores ................................................ 5-9
Table 5-5 Goals, Objectives and Actions............................................................. 5-11
Table 5-6 Taney County Five-Year Action Plan................................................... 5-15

List of Figures

Figure 2-1 Taney County, Missouri......................................................................... 2-1
Figure 2-2 Regional Physiography ......................................................................... 2-4
Figure 2-3 Taney County Watersheds .................................................................... 2-6
Figure 2-4 Taney County Population Density, 2010 ............................................. 2-10
Figure 2-5 Taney County Land Cover .................................................................. 2-19
Figure 2-6 Taney County Transportation System ................................................. 2-24
Figure 2-7 Taney County Key Facilities ................................................................ 2-32
Figure 2-8 Taney County Government-Owned Buildings ...................................... 2-35
Figure 2-9 Taney County School Districts ............................................................ 2-38
Figure 2-10 Artist Rendering of Planned OTC Table Rock Campus ....................... 2-39
Figure 2-11 Taney County Vulnerable Facilities ..................................................... 2-44

Figure 3-1 Wind Zones in the United States ........................................................... 3-7
Figure 3-2 Taney County 100-Year Floodplain ..................................................... 3-17
Figure 3-3 National Weather Service Windchill Chart ........................................... 3-25
Figure 3-4 Palmer Drought Index ......................................................................... 3-30
Figure 3-5 Heat Index Chart (Temperature & Relative Humidity) .......................... 3-34
Figure 3-6 Earthquake Shock ............................................................................... 3-37
Figure 3-7 Projected Earthquake Intensities, 7.6 Magnitude................................. 3-40
Figure 3-8 Wabash Valley and New Madrid Earthquakes..................................... 3-42
Figure 3-9 Nemaha Uplift ..................................................................................... 3-43
Figure 3-10 Taney County Dam Locations ............................................................. 3-46

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Table of Contents

Figure 3-11 Erosion at Silver Creek Dam ............................................................... 3-48
Figure 3-12 Types of Wildfire ................................................................................. 3-50
Figure 3-13 Wildfire Hazard Areas ......................................................................... 3-52
Figure 3-14 Bowl Shaped Sinkhole ........................................................................ 3-56
Figure 3-15 Formation of Collapse ......................................................................... 3-56
Figure 3-16 Sinkhole Locations .............................................................................. 3-57
Figure 3-17 Influenza Confirmed Cases ................................................................. 3-62
Figure 3-18 Cases of Norovirus by Date of Onset .................................................. 3-63
Figure 3-19 Taney County Hazard Composite Map ................................................ 3-65
Figure 3-20 Branson Hazard Composite Map ........................................................ 3-66
Figure 3-21 Forsyth Hazard Composite Map .......................................................... 3-67
Figure 3-22 Hollister Hazard Composite Map ......................................................... 3-68
Figure 3-23 Kirbyville Hazard Composite Map ....................................................... 3-69
Figure 3-24 Merriam Woods Hazard Composite Map ............................................. 3-70
Figure 3-25 Rockaway Beach Hazard Composite Map .......................................... 3-71
Figure 3-26 Taneyville Hazard Composite Map ...................................................... 3-72

Figure 4-1 NOAA Radio Transmission Area ......................................................... 4-12

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary

Executive Summary

Overview

Natural hazard events in Taney County have historically caused injury, death, damages
to property, and economic loss to the people and communities of Taney County. The
Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan represents a collaborative effort between
Taney County, its municipalities, and other public sector entities organizations to
establish a guide for actions that can be undertaken to help reduce vulnerability to
natural disasters and make Taney County safer.

The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires, that as of November
1, 2004, all local governments must adopt a natural hazard mitigation plan to be eligible
for federal hazard mitigation funding. The DMA 2000 provides for the preparation of
multi-jurisdictional plans by local governments to meet these requirements. The Taney
County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is developed in conformance with the
requirements of the DMA 2000 and is a multi-jurisdictional plan that has involved the
participation of Taney County and all incorporated communities.

This Plan only addresses natural hazards that may affect Taney County; man-made or
technological hazards are not discussed. The natural hazards addressed in the Plan
include:

• Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm • Heat Wave
• Riverine and Flash Flood • Earthquake
• Severe Winter Weather • Dam Failure
• Drought • Wildfire

Plan Organization and Content

The Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is presented in seven parts, including:

Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Community Profile
Part 3: Risk Assessment
Part 4: Capability Assessment
Part 5: Mitigation
Part 6: Plan Maintenance
Part 7: Appendices
Appendix A: Signed Adoption Resolutions
Appendix B: Repetitive Losses
Appendix C: Taney County Theatres
Appendix D: Acronyms
Appendix E: Glossary
Appendix F: References

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary

Participants in Plan Development

This Plan was developed by the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG)
with the assistance and participation of the local governments in Taney County. A Plan
Advisory Committee was established to encourage community participation in the
planning process and to provide review to the development of the Plan. The Plan
Advisory Committee includes representatives from the participating jurisdictions and
emergency services at the county and municipal levels. Representatives from medical
services, utilities, businesses, and area residents also served on the Committee.

Information contained in the Plan was collected by both SMCOG and the participating
jurisdictions and organizations through various formats, including survey forms that were
distributed to all communities.

On January 20, 2004, citizens were invited to an advertised public hearing to review the
draft plan and develop goals, objectives and mitigation actions to address the identified
hazards. Following this meeting, the goals, objectives and mitigation actions developed
through the public hearing process were further refined and distributed for review. The
final Plan was further refined and updated for presentation to the participating
jurisdictions for adoption. Copies of resolutions adopting the Plan are contained in
Appendix A.

Plan Goals and Mitigation Actions

The goals of the Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan include:

1. Protect lives and minimize injuries to the people of Taney County.

2. Ensure continued operation of government and emergency functions in a
disaster.

3. Increase public awareness of natural hazards in the county in order to
make the public a partner in hazard mitigation.

4. Reduce the potential impact of natural disasters on new and existing
properties and infrastructure and the local economy.

5. Ensure that future development in the county is as “hazard proof” as
possible.

The objectives and mitigation actions to achieve these goals fall within the following
broad categories of mitigation:

 Prevention
 Property Protection
 Emergency Services
 Natural Resource Protection
 Structural Mitigation
 Public Information

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Executive Summary

The goals, objectives and mitigation actions are outlined in Part 5, Mitigation, of this
Plan. Part 5 includes a five-year action matrix that summarizes the following categories
of information:

 Identified Hazard - The specific natural hazard addressed by each mitigation
action is indicated in the matrix.

 Plan Goals and Objectives - Each goal and the objectives or specific desired
result to achieve the goal is indicated.

 Mitigation Actions - Specific mitigation actions (steps, tasks, activities and/or
projects) identified by the plan participants to mitigate the effects of natural
hazards in their communities.
 Communities - The political subdivisions to which the objectives and specific
mitigation actions apply.

 Lead Organizer - The lead organizer(s) are those entities with either the
government responsibility or capability to initiate and manage the implementation
of the hazard mitigation action.

 Priority Rank and Target Date - Mitigation actions are listed as high, medium or
low priority. High priorities are those actions that generally should be
implemented within two years. Medium priorities are those that may be
implemented within two to four years, and low priority actions are those which
can or may have to wait longer than four years. The degree of need and the
capability of implementation were considered in determining priority rankings.

 Evaluation - Evaluation summarizes the review measure by which status of
implementation of the mitigation action may be reviewed.

Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation

Natural hazard mitigation planning is an on-going, dynamic process. The success of the
Plan is dependent on implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the outcomes. The
viability of the Plan as an effective action guide will require that the Plan be periodically
reviewed and updated or revised as necessary. All of the Taney County political
subdivisions participated in the development of the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan and
the county has developed a method to ensure regular review and update of the Plan.
Continued collaborative efforts, cooperation and communications between the county
and municipal governments will enhance long term sustainability of the planning process
and implementation activities to reduce the impacts of natural disasters on the Taney
County community.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Part 1: Introduction

Purpose of Plan

The Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, hereon referred to
as the Plan, represents a collaborative effort between Taney County, its municipalities,
school districts and other public sector entities and organizations to establish a guide for
actions that can be undertaken to help make Taney County safer.

Mitigation is action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk from hazards and their
effects. The purpose of the Plan is to describe vulnerability of local governments and
other public entities combined with probability and severity to assess the risk for each
identified natural hazard that impacts the county and to each jurisdiction participating in
the Plan. The risk assessment guided the development of goals, objectives and a
comprehensive list of mitigation actions. All actions were prioritized based on a review of
potential benefits and costs.

The Plan only addresses natural hazards that may affect Taney County; man-made or
technological hazards are not discussed other than in reference to cascading damages
that could result from a natural hazard event. During the planning process, Emerging
Infectious Diseases were identified as a natural hazard due to the county’s heightened
vulnerability as a major tourism and recreation destination. The natural hazards
addressed in the Plan include:

 Tornado and Severe Thunderstorm
 Flooding (Riverine and Flash)
 Drought
 Heat Wave
 Earthquake
 Dam Failure
 Wildfire
 Severe Land Subsidence (Sinkholes)
 Emerging Infectious Disease

Branson, Missouri, located in west-central Taney County, is a fourth class city with a
permanent population of approximately 10,000. The Branson area is an internationally
renowned tourist destination, being the number one motor coach destination for the past
decade, number one tour bus destination in the continental United States for outlet mall
shopping excursions, and the number two tour bus destination in the continental United
States for music entertainment shows. The city of Branson includes approximately 340
restaurants, 50 theaters, three shopping malls, 200 lodging facilities and three lakes.

Approximately seven million guests per year visit this area. The average stay is two and
a half days. Branson is within a one-day drive for 50 percent of the United States
population. The busiest tour bus time occurs during the last week in November, with the
day after Thanksgiving for shopping and the first week in December with Christmas
music shows, lighting displays, and the Adoration parade (TCHD,2012).

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

On February 29, 2012, an EF-2 tornado touched down near Highway 76 in Branson and
tracked through the strip of music entertainment theaters, restaurants, hotels and
amusement establishments before hitting the downtown Branson Landing where it blew
out or cracked windows in 219 of the hotel rooms in the Hilton Branson Convention
Center. This tornado impacted Kimberling City and Indian Point in Stone County
destroying marinas and damaging over 170 watercraft before moving through Branson
and continuing through Powersite and Kissee Mills in Taney County leaving 15,000
homes and businesses without power.

In Branson, this event resulted in $900,000 in damages to public property. In addition, 11
commercial properties, including nine hotels, and 70 other structures were heavily
damaged. Estimates of the damages from the leap day tornado have yet to be fully
determined although they should be considered quite great. There were a total of 32
injuries and no fatalities in the Branson area. These injuries and possible loss of life
would have been much greater during peak spring and summer months when on any
given night there may be 20,000 individuals in motels, theaters, restaurants and stores
within this tornado’s path.

Since 2005, there have been nine (9) federal disaster declarations that have included
Taney County. The description of declarations includes: three (3) severe storm, flooding
and tornado events; two (2) severe storm and flooding events; and four (4) severe winter
storm events. Hazard events such as flooding, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, and
severe winter weather have resulted in losses throughout urban and rural areas of the
county. These events will continue to occur in the future as well as other less severe
hazards. However, the impacts of natural hazard events can be lessened and injuries,
loss of life and damages to properties can be reduced through the application of prudent
actions and strategies. The Plan is developed in conformance with the requirements of
the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 which requires that local governments develop and
approve a natural hazards mitigation plan to be eligible after November 1, 2004 for
federally funded mitigation assistance. Mitigation plans will be required to receive
mitigation assistance for all federally declared disasters.

Basis for Planning Authority

Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford
Act), 42 U.S.C. 5165, as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) (P.L.
106-390), provides for States, Tribes and local governments to undertake a risk-based
approach to reducing risks to natural hazards through mitigation planning. FEMA has
implemented the various hazard mitigation planning provisions through regulations at 44
CFR Part 201.

These reflect the need for States, Tribal and local governments to closely coordinate
mitigation planning and implementation efforts and describes the requirement for a State
Mitigation Plan as a condition of pre- and post-disaster assistance, as well as the
mitigation plan requirement for local and Tribal governments as a condition of receiving
FEMA hazard mitigation assistance.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

The Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) provided funding for the
development of this Plan. SEMA requested the regional planning commissions in
Missouri to work with local governments to develop the hazard mitigation plans. With
the agreement of Taney County, SEMA contracted the hazard mitigation planning effort
to the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG). SMCOG worked in
collaboration with the county, municipalities, school districts, other special districts and
community organizations to develop the Plan.

Assurance Statements of Compliance with FEMA

The regulations governing the mitigation planning requirements for local mitigation plans
are published under 44 CFR §201.6. Under 44 CFR §201.6, local governments must
have a FEMA approved Local Mitigation Plan in order to apply for and receive project
grants under the following hazard mitigation assistance programs:

• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)
• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
• Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL)

FEMA may require a Local Mitigation Plan under the Repetitive Flood Claims (RFC)
program. SMCOG staff relied on FEMA’s July 1, 2008 publication Local Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Planning Guidance to meet the mitigation planning requirements. The Local
Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance is an interpretation and explanation for the
Local Mitigation Plan regulations at 44 CFR §201.6 and is FEMA’s official source for
defining the requirements of original and updated Local Mitigation Plans. Additional
FEMA resources frequently consulted include State and Local Mitigation Planning How-
to Guides (FEMA 386-1 through 8).

Plan Organization and Content

Following the Executive Summary, the Plan is divided into seven parts, including
Introduction, Community Profile, Risk Assessment, Capability Assessment, Mitigation,
Plan Maintenance, and Appendices:

 Part 1 - Introduction. The Introduction provides an overview of the Plan’s
planning process, public involvement, participating jurisdictions, a description of
what was updated from the 2005 Plan and list of meeting attendees.

 Part 2 - Community Profile. This element provides a description of the political,
natural, cultural, demographic, socio-economic and developmental
characteristics of Taney County and its municipalities. It also includes
identification of critical facilities and infrastructures, vulnerable populations, and
resources that may be affected by a natural hazard event.

 Part 3 - Risk Assessment. The Risk Assessment provides an analysis of the
natural hazards addressed in the Plan, including past occurrences, vulnerability
assessment and impact analysis estimating losses in dollar amounts.

July 2012 1-3
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

 Part 4 - Capability Assessment. The Capability Assessment discusses the
current capabilities of Taney County and its municipalities to mitigate disaster
events.

 Part 5 - Mitigation. This part describes the range of mitigation categories and
activities that may be employed by a community, outlines the mitigation goals,
objectives and mitigation strategies developed by Taney County and its
communities, and provides a matrix that summarizes the mitigation strategies,
priorities, responsibilities for implementation, and assessment.

 Part 6 - Plan Maintenance. The Plan Maintenance section notes the process and
procedures outlined by Taney County and its municipalities to review and monitor
progress of plan implementation and actions taken to reduce the risks of future
disaster events that may affect the county. It also contains provisions for update
of the Plan.

 Part 7 - Appendices. The Appendices includes the resolutions of plan adoption
by Taney County and each city, repetitive losses incurred by the National Flood
Insurance Program, acronyms, glossary of terms, and references.

Public Involvement

In accordance with Missouri’s “sunshine law” (RSMo §610.010, 610.020, 610.023, and
610.024), input from the general public was solicited through media outlets, including
public meeting notices published in local newspapers and “Notice of Public Meeting”
flyers distributed to county and city clerks to post in places visible to the public in
government buildings. All meeting dates and times were posted on the SMCOG website.
The public was notified of all but one Plan Review and Advisory Committee meetings
subsequent to the Kick-Off meeting through a legal advertisement in the Branson Tri-
Lakes News print publication.

The preliminary draft of the plan was posted on the SMCOG website and the public was
invited to comment on the draft plan through press release to local media, legal notice
and “public flyers.” The comment period extended for a period of three weeks prior to
being submitted to SEMA for approval. The draft was posted on the SMCOG website on
July 7, 2012, where all meeting dates and the draft plan elements were posted for public
viewing and comment. Input from city and county officials was solicited through
distribution of drafts of plan elements for discussion and review at scheduled meetings
and through meetings and other communications with individual community
representatives and elected officials.

Neighboring jurisdictions were notified via email and letters, a notification was sent to the
Branson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Hollister, Forsyth and Rockaway Beach
Chambers of Commerce and local and regional agencies, such as; OACAC, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, Emergency Management Directors from neighboring counties and
the University of Missouri Extension office. A complete listing of neighboring agencies
invited to participate in the planning process and what meetings they were invited to
attend is included in Appendix F.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Plan Adoption

To be eligible for mitigation funding, local governments must adopt the FEMA-approved
update of the Plan. The participation of the local government stakeholders in the
planning process is considered critical to successful implementation of this plan. Each
jurisdiction that is seeking approval for the plan must have its governing body adopt the
updated plan, regardless the degree of modifications. SMCOG collaborated with the
local governments in Taney County to assure participation in the planning process and
the development of a plan that represents the needs and interests of Taney County and
its local jurisdictions. Appendix A contains local jurisdiction resolutions adopting the
Plan.

Participating Jurisdictions and Participation Requirements

In order to be included in the plan as a participating jurisdiction each jurisdiction was
required to send a representative to multiple mitigation planning meetings as a minimum
requirement. If, however, a representative was not able to attend at least two meetings
they were encouraged to arrange for a one-to-one meeting with SMCOG staff or contact
the SMCOG offices to obtain information presented at any of the planning meetings.
Although not required, a set of standards for participation were developed in order for
each jurisdiction to participate in the planning process and account for the variability of
resources within each jurisdiction. This set of standards included; reviewing and
commenting on plan draft materials, submitting insured replacement values and
information relating to critical facilities and completing community or district hazard
mitigation surveys. Jurisdictions that met the minimum requirement and any combination
of three standards are considered to have satisfactorily participated in the planning
process. Table 1-1 provides a record of participation in the planning process.

Table 1-1: Record of Participation
Nature of Participation
Review
and
Comment Submitted
Plan Update Attended on Draft Asset Completed
Jurisdiction Status Meetings Materials Inventory Surveys
Taney County Continuing X X
Municipalities
Branson Continuing X X X X
Bradleyville Dissolved - - - -
Bull Creek Continuing X X
Forsyth Continuing X X
Hollister Continuing X X
Merriam Woods Continuing X X
Kirbyville Continuing X X
Rockaway Beach Continuing X X
Taneyville
School Districts
Bradleyville R-I New X X X
Taneyville R-II New X X X X
Forsyth R-III New X X

July 2012 1-5
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Table 1-1: Record of Participation
Nature of Participation
Review
and
Comment Submitted
Plan Update Attended on Draft Asset Completed
Jurisdiction Status Meetings Materials Inventory Surveys
Branson R-IV New X
Hollister R-V New X X X X
Kirbyville R-VI New X X X X
Mark Twain R-VIII New
Colleges & Other Special Districts
OTC-Table Rock New X X X X
Taney County
New X
Sewer District
Taney County
New X - X
Ambulance District

The Plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan including the participation of the following local
jurisdictions:

 Taney County
 City of Branson
 Village of Bull Creek
 City of Forsyth
 City of Hollister
 Village of Kirbyville
 Village of Merriam Woods
 City of Rockaway Beach
 Bradleyville R-I School District
 Taneyville R-II School District
 Forsyth R-III School District
 Hollister R-V School District
 Kirbyville R-VI School District
 Taney County Rural Sewer District
 Taney County Ambulance District
 Branson R-IV School District
 Mark Twain R-III School District

The following Jurisdictions did not participate:

 Taneyville

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Plan Preparation Methodology and Schedule

In February 2012, SMCOG entered into cooperative agreements with SEMA and Taney
County to prepare this multi-jurisdictional plan for public entities in Taney County.
Discussions on the development of the Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard
Mitigation Plan began in early February of 2012 with a meeting attended by SMCOG
staff and the County Emergency Management Director. This meeting was conducted to
discuss the timeline for developing the hazard mitigation plan, the planning process,
identification of stakeholders and community organizations to include in the planning
process and a date for the Kick-Off meeting to initiate participation of jurisdictions and
public entities in the planning process.

SMCOG began conducting research and updating demographic and community profile
information in advance of the Kick-Off meeting on February 28. At the Kick-Off meeting
the plan update process was discussed with representatives from the local jurisdictions
and emergency services. Meeting attendees were informed of participation requirements
for the Plan, in-kind match documentation and the online repository of Plan materials on
that could be viewed and downloaded from the SMCOG website; such as, the capability
survey instruments and full version of the 2005 Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation
Plan. The distinction between the 2005 Plan and the updated version that requires that
school districts in particular and other entities participate as stand-alone jurisdictions to
maintain eligibility for FEMA mitigation grant programs was emphasized.

SMCOG staff led the development of the plan under the direction of the emergency
management director and the Plan Review and Advisory Committee, which included
local elected officials, municipal government staff, county government staff, emergency
services personnel, school officials, and employees from the health and social services
organizations in the county. The Plan Review and Advisory Committee met with
SMCOG on several occasions from February through June 2012 to collaborate on the
development of the Plan update. Participants assisted in data collection; reviewed and
revised the Plan’s goals, objectives and mitigation strategies; and provided reviews and
comments on the plan throughout the update process.

Significant dates in the planning process for preparation of the Plan are noted below:

February 2012 Initial meeting with Taney County Emergency Management
and SMCOG staff:

 Prospective participants and stakeholders identified,
EMD to prepare and review contact list
 Schedule Kick-Off meeting date and venue
 SMCOG staff to draft invitation letters and to begin
update of community profiles and storm event data

February 2012 Agreements executed between the Taney County
Commissioners, SMCOG and SEMA to update the Natural
Hazard Mitigation Plan.

February 28, 2012 Plan Update Kick-Off Meeting:
 Presented information on the planning process and

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

plan elements
 Distributed community and district capability surveys
 Discussed minimum participation requirements and
project timeline
 Plan review and advisory committee meeting
schedule established

April 10, 2012 Plan Advisory Committee Meeting:
 Updated Community Profile Chapter distributed for
review
 Hazard profiles presented and vulnerability scales for
probability, severity and functional loss distributed
 Completed vulnerability assessment for each
participating jurisdiction

May 8, 2012 Plan Advisory Committee Meeting:
 Updated Risk Assessment Chapter distributed for
review
 Review of Goals, Objectives and actions from the
2005 Plan
 Assessed progress towards 2005 actions and
discussed actions to be revised, deleted, deferred or
added

May 22, 2012 Plan Advisory Meeting:
 Continued discussion and final review of actions for
the Plan update
 Discussed STAPLEE criteria for cost/benefit review of
revised action items
 Discussion of lead agencies and funding sources for
each of the action items, timelines for implementation
and measurable outcomes

June 12, 2012 STAPLEE Meeting:
 Revised actions ranked and prioritized according to
STAPLEE with simple scores method

July 7, 2012 Draft Plan posted on the SMCOG Website, paper copy
delivered to Taney County EMA, public notified and public
comment period begins

July 28, 2012 Completed draft of the Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan submitted to SEMA for review

The individuals in Table 1-3 participated in the development of the Plan. Many of these
individuals represented community and the various interests on the Plan Review and
Advisory Committee. Participation in the development of the plan was also accomplished
through telephone, fax and email communications to individual communities and through
meetings with community representatives.

July 2012 1-8
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Plan Review and Update Process

The plan update process for all sections of the plan began with a review of each section
from the approved 2005 Plan and updating information presented in the original plan.
For example, demographic information was updated using data from the 2010 Census
and data from the most recent American Community Survey. Original source material for
the Community Profile and Risk Assessment sections were reviewed and or updated.
For example, hypertext links for the Economic and Agricultural Census web pages and
MDC wildfire statistics were tested to see if they were up to date and operational. In
most cases they were and information available for the period between the 2005 Plan
preparation and the date of the 2012 update preparation was incorporated into tables
and narratives.

A significant amount of information presented in the plan has been updated and revised
based on the review and incorporation of existing plans, studies, reports and technical
information. Appendix E contains a listing of references to plans, studies, reports and
technical information to incorporate into hazard profiles, risk assessment and capability
sections. A few examples of information incorporated from the review of existing plans,
etc. include:

 National Climactic Data Center Storm Events updated to include events from
2006 to 2011

 Information describing the impacts of natural hazards from the State of Missouri
Hazard Analysis, 2011 was added to hazard profiles in the Plan update.

 The County Emergency Management Director incorporated information from the
Emergency Operations Plan into revisions to the Capability Assessment.

In most cases, SMCOG staff was responsible for the review and incorporation of revised
and updated material in the Plan. As new information was incorporated into the Plan,
updated draft materials were distributed for review and comment at Plan Review and
Advisory Committee meetings.

The bulk of revised material was developed from local jurisdiction reviews of initial
section drafts and community and school district mitigation surveys. Table 1-2 below
describes the revisions and updates incorporated into each section of the plan.

Table 1-2: Updates by Section of the 2010 Taney County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Plan Section Updated Material
Part I-Introduction  Added public involvement section describing
advertised public meetings and opportunity for
neighboring communities and agencies to be
involved in the planning process
 Added minimum participation requirements for
local jurisdictions
 Included a record of participation describing how
each jurisdiction participated in the process
 Updated list of plan participants

July 2012 1-9
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Table 1-2: Updates by Section of the 2010 Taney County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Plan Section Updated Material
 Updated planning methodology and plan timeline
 Added table of local officials who attended
meetings
 Added plan review and update process section
Part II-Community Profile  Updated demographic information
 Updated critical, vulnerable and government
facilities information
 Incorporated building code, ordinance and
mitigation measures based on community
surveys
 Incorporated revisions to community profiles as
draft sections were reviewed by local officials
Part III-Risk Assessment  Included events for each hazard that occurred
from 2006-2011
 Updated probability and severity rankings
 wildland urban interface hazard area map for
wildfire
 Included new profile for sinkhole hazard and
emerging infectious disease
 Added likely locations subsections for each
hazard
 Added overall summary of hazard vulnerability by
jurisdiction
 Added vulnerability assessment tables for each
hazard and each participating jurisdiction
Part IV-Capability Assessment  Incorporated new information from community
surveys and reviews by local officials
Part V-Mitigation  Updated mitigation actions development process
 Included actions eliminated and reason for
removal
 Updated progress made towards mitigation goals
from earlier plan
 Updated cost benefit review method using
STAPLEE and simple scores
 Discussed funding sources, lead agencies and
status of continuing, revised and new actions
Part VI-Maintenance  Plan monitored at Emergency Managers Meeting
every two months

July 2012 1-10
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Acknowledgements

Several county and municipal officials provided valuable assistance throughout the
planning process. Special thanks to the Taney County Commission for their
participation and guidance in establishing the Plan Advisory Committee. Thank you also
to all the municipal and county officials, residents, and the representatives from local
business, utilities, health care and other emergency management personnel who
participated on the Plan Advisory Committee, reviewed and commented on the drafts of
the Plan, and contributed their time and ideas to the county-wide workshop for
developing the Mitigation component of the Plan. A special thank you also to the staff
from the incorporated communities in Taney County and other public and private sector
institutions and organizations that provided input, data, and other resource material used
in the development of the Plan. A very special thank you to Chris Berndt, Taney County
Emergency Management Director, for his input throughout the process of completing the
Plan.

July 2012 1-11
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Table 1.3 Taney County Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting Attendance
Organization Representative 2/28/2012 4/10/2012 5/8/2012 5/22/2012 6/12/2012 Arranged
Taney County
GIS Manager Patsy Alexander x x
Office of Emergency Management Melissa Duckworth x x x x x
Taney County EMD Chris Berndt x x x x x
Planning & Zoning Administrator Bob Atchley x x x
City of Branson
Mayor Raeanne Presley x x
Planning Director Jim Lawson x x
Planning and Development Stephenie Schultz x
Branson Fire and Rescue Chief Ted Martin x x x x
Bull Creek Village
Bull Creek Emergency Management James Felton x x x x
City of Forsyth
Chief Building Inspector Richard Melton x x
Fire Department Chief Nathan Bower x x
City of Hollister
Building Official Trent Bowers x x x x x
EMD Ed Zielonka x
Kirbyville
Kirbyville Trustee Richard Jones x 5/17/2012
Merriam Woods
Village Administrator Angela Leist x x
Police Department Mark Trog x
City of Rockaway Beach
Mayor Lawrence Cline x x x x x

July 2012 1-12
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Table 1.3 Taney County Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting Attendance
Organization Representative 2/28/2012 4/10/2012 5/8/2012 5/22/2012 6/12/2012 Arranged
Alderman Gary Judd x x x
P & Z Commissioner Judy Daniel x
P & Z Commissioner Harriet Leenerts x
Alderman Jerry Simms x
Branson R-IV School District
Asst. Superintendent Dr. Don Forrest 6/27/12
Kirbyville R-VI School District
Superintendent Carless Osbourn x x x x x
Kirbyville R-VI Schools Gary Rickman x
Forsyth R-III School District
Superintendent Brent Belvins x
Asst. Superintendent Jeff Mingus x x
Bradleyville R-I School District
Bradleyville R-I Schools Bob Comer x
Hollister R-V School District
Hollister R-V Schools Debbie Redford x x x x x
Taneyville R-II School District
Taneyville R-II Schools Scott Ewing x x x
Ozarks Technical Community College
Branson Education Center Director Robert Griffith x
Director of Safety & Security Pete Rothrock x x x x
Staff Bill Carpenter x
Staff Bill Dowdy x
Staff JD Landon x
Taney County Regional Sewer District
Administrator Eddie Coxie x x x

July 2012 1-13
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 1: Introduction

Table 1.3 Taney County Hazard Mitigation Plan Meeting Attendance
Organization Representative 2/28/2012 4/10/2012 5/8/2012 5/22/2012 6/12/2012 Arranged
Community Organizations
Taney County Health Department Robert Niezgoda x x x x
Taney County Health Department Kim Foster x x x x
Taney County OACAC Peggy Golden x x x
Taney County Ambulance District Darryl Coontz x x
White River Valley Electric Cooperative Cindy Rains x

July 2012 1-14
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Part 2: Community Profile

Location

Taney County is located in Southwest Missouri and is bordered by Christian County to
the north, Stone County to the west, Douglas and Ozark counties to the east, and the
Arkansas counties of Boone and Marion to the south. Taney County covers 632 square
miles. Of this territory, the county’s incorporated cities and villages cover approximately
25 square miles.

Incorporated communities include the villages of Bull Creek, Kirbyville, Merriam Woods,
and Taneyville and the cities of Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, and Rockaway Beach.
There are also several unincorporated settlement areas in the county, including
Bradleyville, Brown Branch, Kissee Mills, McClurg, Powersite, and Walnut Shade in the
northern section of the county and Cedar Creek, Protem, Ridgedale, and Rueter in the
southern portion. The City of Forsyth is the county seat.

Figure 2-1

July 2012 2-1
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Development History

Historically a rural, agrarian-based community, many changes have occurred since
Taney County’s organization as a Missouri county in 1837. The county has seen its
primary economy change from one of labor intensive agricultural production of fruits,
vegetables and other cash crops, lumbering, and manufacturing of goods from the
area’s natural resources to one heavily dependent on service and retail sector jobs
created by the tourism industry.

The year 1909 brought about a proposal that would have long lasting impact on the
economic future of Taney County. It was proposed that a dam be constructed across
the White River for hydroelectric power generation. The Amhursen Hydraulic
Construction Company began construction on the Powersite Dam in 1911. The dam
was to be 70 feet tall and over 1000 feet in length and would inundate over 2,000 acres
of prime farmland. The reservoir created was named Lake Taneycomo. The dam was
completed in 1913 and provided power for Springfield, Joplin, Carthage, Forsyth, and
many other towns. With the creation of Lake Taneycomo, the Hollister area quickly
became an outdoor recreation destination, attracting vacationers from the St. Louis and
Kansas City areas as well as throughout the region.

The evolution of the tourism industry was further spurred by the publication of Harold
Bell Wright’s book, Shepherd of the Hills, in 1907. Thousands of visitors from around
the country traveled to the area to see the sites made famous in Wright’s novel. The first
Shepherd of the Hills pageant was held in 1960. Another important attraction
contributing to tourism growth in Taney County was the opening of the Silver Dollar City
theme park in neighboring Stone County in 1960.

By the early 1960s, the focus of the tourism activity in Taney County shifted to the
Branson area, spurred by improvements to Highway 65, the creation of Table Rock
Lake, and the growing popularity of attractions such as Silver Dollar City and the
Shepherd of the Hills pageant. Branson’s first music show, the Baldknobbers, opened in
1959. National recognition of the Branson area and the opening of many new music
theatres in the early 1990s have made tourism the economic mainstay in Taney County.
Today, Branson has over 40 theaters with more than 60,000 theater seats, 207 lodging
facilities with over 18,000 rooms and 200 restaurants with over 38,000 seats. At any
given night, there may by up to 20,000 visitors and employees located in the various
hotels and theaters on State Highway 76 / Country Music Boulevard.

Form of Government

Missouri is divided into 114 counties and the City of St. Louis by the Revised Statutes of
Missouri (RSMo) §46.040. Counties are political subdivisions of the State “for
governmental, political, and public purposes” (Freyermuth, n.d) and have a wide range
of governmental responsibilities. The Missouri legislature has established four classes
of counties, based on the assessed valuation of real and personal property (Freyermuth,
n.d.; RSMo §48.820). Taney County is classified as a first class county and is governed
by a three-member Commission. Under the provisions of RSMo §49.010, counties are
divided into two districts of nearly equal population (in Taney County, the eastern district
and the western district). Each district elects one commissioner and the presiding
commissioner is elected by the county as a whole. Commissioners serve four-year
terms.

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

There are currently two classes of cities in Missouri--third and fourth class cities, as well
as villages and home rule charter cities (Freyermuth, n.d.). Fourth class cities are those
with populations greater than 500 but less than 3,000 inhabitants. Villages/towns are
incorporations with less than 500 inhabitants (RSMo §72.050). There are eight
incorporated communities in Taney County, four of which are fourth class cities and four
which are villages. Bull Creek, Kirbyville, Merriam Woods, and Taneyville are villages
and Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, and Rockaway Beach are fourth class cities.

Villages are regulated under RSMo §80 and are governed by a board of trustees. The
board elects a presiding officer (chair) and a clerk, and appoints the village’s officers.
Fourth class cities are regulated by RSMo §79. Such cities may have the mayor/board
of aldermen or mayor/city administrator/board of aldermen form of government. The
mayor presides over the board but may vote only to break a tie. Table 2-1 lists the local
governments in Taney County, Class of county/municipality, form of government, and
regular meeting dates of the governing bodies.

Table 2-1: Taney County Local Government
Local Government Class Form of Government Meeting Schedule
Taney County First Commission Monday
Mayor/City Administrator/ nd th
Branson Fourth 2 and 4 Mon, 7:00 p.m.
Board of Aldermen
st
Bull Creek Village Chair/Board of Trustees 1 Tues, 7:00 p.m.
rd
Forsyth Fourth Mayor/Board of Aldermen 3 Mon, 7:00 p.m.
Mayor/City Administrator/ st rd
Hollister Fourth 1 and 3 Thurs, 7:00 p.m.
Board of Aldermen
rd
Kirbyville Village Chair/Board of Trustees 3 Thurs, 7:00 p.m.
nd th
Merriam Woods Village Chair/Board of Trustees 2 and 4 Tues, 7:00 p.m.
nd
Rockaway Beach Fourth Mayor/Board of Aldermen 2 Mon, 6:30 p.m.
nd
Taneyville Village Chair/Board of Trustees 2 Tues, 7:00 p.m.

In addition to these incorporated communities, several smaller unincorporated
settlements are scattered throughout the county. Some of these larger settlement areas
include Protem, Kissee Mills and Walnut Shade. The county is also divided into eight
townships including Branson, Beaver, Big Creek, Cedar Creek, Jasper, Oliver, Scott,
and Swan.

Physical Characteristics

Physiography and Geography

Taney County is located in the southwestern Ozarks Plateau region of the Interior
Highlands physiographic province. The county is situated on the Salem Plateau portion
of the Ozarks Plateau. Rugged hills, steep ridges, and deep, narrowly entrenched
stream valleys characterize the Salem Plateau. Topographic relief in Taney County is
over 800 feet, ranging from high elevations of approximately 1,480 feet above mean sea
level (msl) in the northeastern section of the county to 654 feet at Bull Shoals Lake
(normal pool elevation). Much of the county is characterized by moderate to very steep
slopes. Approximately 50 percent of the county has slopes of 10 percent or greater.

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-2: Regional Physiography

Source: Taney County Master Plan, 1999.

Taney County is primarily underlain by Mississippian and Ordovician age limestones and
dolomites. The county’s topographic surface features reflect an advanced stage of the
geological erosion cycle. Surface features are primarily a result of the Ozark uplift and
subsequent erosion of the limestone bedrock. Taney County is known for its panoramic
vistas. Outliers, which are rock outcrops that have become detached from the main
body of bedrock, extend in length from one to twelve miles and create long, panoramic
vistas. Rock outcrops are found throughout the county and are particularly noticeable
around the lakes areas (Dodd, J.A., and E.J. Dettman, 1996).

Karst topographic features are common throughout the county. Karst features develop
in areas of bedrock with high carbonate content. The bedrock is easily dissolved by a
dilute carbonic acid found in the atmosphere, vegetation, and shales. Water infiltrates
the bedrock and is channelized through natural cracks, joints, faults, and bedding
planes. The dissolution of the bedrock and channelization of water results in caves,
sinkholes, losing streams, springs, and other karst features. Caves are particularly
prevalent throughout Taney County (Southwest Missouri Council of Governments,
Taney County Master Plan, p. 6.2).

Hydrology and Drainage

Taney County’s water system is comprised of a complex and interconnected system of
perennial and intermittent streams, impoundments, and subsurface water. The county is
located in the White River Basin, which eventually flows to the Mississippi River. Taney
County contains approximately 12,945 acres of surface water. One of the county’s'
defining features and important economic resources is the surface reservoir system.
Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake, and Table Rock Lake, created from the construction
of dams on the White River, account for approximately 10,480 acres of surface water in

July 2012 2-4
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

the county. All three lakes provide for hydroelectric power generation and flood control
as well as recreation.

Lake Taneycomo, located completely in Taney County, was created in 1913 by the
construction of the Powersite Dam (Ozark Beach Dam) near Forsyth. Originally
constructed for hydroelectric power generation, the lake’s surface water covers
approximately 2,080 acres (Branson USA Online, 1996).

Lake Taneycomo is privately owned, but Bull Shoals and Table Rock Lakes are
managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Bull Shoals Lake was formed in 1952
by the construction of the Bull Shoals Dam on the White River, about 10 miles west of
Mountain Home, Arkansas. Approximately 5,200 acres of the total surface water area at
the conservation pool (45,440 acres) are located in Taney County.

Table Rock Lake was formed in 1959 from the construction of the Table Rock Dam on
the main stem of the White River, about six miles south of the City of Branson along the
Stone County/Taney County line. Of the 43,100 acre conservation pool surface area of
the lake, 3,200 acres are in Taney County.

Table Rock Lake has a substantial influence on the county and region. Water released
from Table Rock Dam into Lake Taneycomo comes from a depth of 140 feet below the
surface of Table Rock Lake. This very cold water is ideal for trout. With the Missouri
Department of Conservation’s construction of the Shepherd of the Hills Hatchery on
Lake Taneycomo, Lake Taneycomo is considered one of the best trout fishing lakes in
the Mid-West (Taney County Master Plan, p. 6.5).

Taney County also has approximately 950 acres of ponds and 500 acres of perennial
streams. All streams in the county either flow into Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake,
or Table Rock Lake. Most of Taney County lies within the Bull Shoals watershed which
includes Lake Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lake. The southwestern corner of the
county, including Table Rock Lake, lies within the Beaver Reservoir watershed.

Major perennial streams originating outside of Taney County include Beaver, Swan and
Bull Creeks. Beaver Creek, the largest perennial stream, originates in Douglas County.
It drains eastern portions of the county and flows into Bull Shoals Lake. Swan Creek
originates in Christian County and drains the central portion of Taney County before
flowing into Bull Shoals Lake. Western portions of the county are drained by Bull Creek,
which originates in Christian County and flows into Lake Taneycomo.

Bradleyville is located in the Beaver Creek sub-watershed, with Caney Creek to the east
of the Village, and Beaver Creek located to the south. Branson, Hollister, Kirbyville, and
Merriam Woods are located in the Taneycomo sub-watershed. Roark Creek flows to the
north of Branson, and Lake Taneycomo is located to the south and east of Branson.
Turkey Creek flows through the middle of Hollister and Coon Creek flows along the city’s
northeastern boundary. No creeks or rivers flow through Kirbyville or Merriam Woods.
Bull Creek and Rockaway Beach are located in the Lower Bull Creek sub-watershed.
Bull Creek runs along the western edge of the Village of Bull Creek. Bull Creek also
runs along the southwestern boundary of Rockaway Beach. The Village of Taneyville is
located in the Swan Creek sub-watershed, but contains no creeks or rivers.

July 2012 2-5
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-3: Taney County Watersheds
TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
WA TERSHED MA P

NORTH

RIVER

1 in =1 miles

MajOJ Highwaya
- SU-.HIQilnY5
- USH~Qn•IIY'

S.,c:r..ok-RII•
~T~-R_,

IAlltlto<dlfOf\W..R_,
TIIllle Roo::k l . .-v.t.I.Rw•

LI
___
'fi\C.......,.. R-
¥1:-~_.,.,..Rw•

_,_,._. ,.,. _

i~

July 2012 2-6
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Groundwater is the primary source of water for human consumption in Taney County.
With the exception of the City of Branson, which now draws most of its water supply
from Lake Taneycomo, other water systems draw water from wells drilled in the Ozark
aquifer. The Ozark aquifer consists of dolomites, limestones, and sandstones of late
Cambrian through Devonian age (U.S. Department of the Interior, Water Resources
Investigations Report 98-4164, 1998). Wells drilled in the Ozark aquifer generally
produce good quality water and can yield more than 1,000 gallons per minute.

While the county generally has an abundant supply of groundwater, potential
contamination of the groundwater from surface pollutants is a concern. Karst features,
including sinkholes, caves, springs, losing streams and fractures in the bedrock, allow
for the rapid movement of water between the surface water and groundwater systems.
Surface pollutants, such as nitrates, phosphorus, and fecal coliform bacteria, can enter
the groundwater system relatively easy with little filtration. The primary sources of these
nutrient and bacterial contaminants are animal manure, wastewater treatment plants,
septic tanks and fertilizers. In general, shallow wells (drilled to less than about 300 feet)
and springs are more susceptible to contamination from surface pollutants (U.S.
Department of the Interior, USGS Circular 1158, 1998).

There is growing concern for degradation of reservoir water quality due to nutrient loads,
particularly nitrates and phosphorus, which can result in algae blooms, oxygen depletion
and fish kills. Taney County’s lakes are critical economic assets for water recreation,
sport fishing, and the general tourism industry. The cities of Branson and Hollister have
installed phosphorus removal systems at their wastewater treatment facilities on Lake
Taneycomo to reduce nutrient loads; the Rockaway Beach Regional Treatment Facility
also has stringent controls for phosphorous removal.

Climate and Weather

Taney County has a humid continental climate with mild winters and hot, humid
summers. The climate data show that the average precipitation is about 40 inches per
year. The average monthly rainfall is about three to five inches per month in the spring
while it is only one to three inches per month in the late fall and winter. The mean
annual air temperature is about 58 Fahrenheit, with average summer temperatures of
87 Fahrenheit and average winter temperatures of 34 Fahrenheit. The climate of
Southwest Missouri, including Taney County, is characterized by thunderstorm events
that are often sudden and intense in nature. Such storm events frequently result in flash
flooding in low-lying areas.

Soils

The Taney County Soil Survey identifies twenty soils units in the county (Dodd, J.A., and
E.J. Dettman, 1996). The soils are highly variable and range in thickness from thin to
none on steep slopes to over 60 inches on ridge tops, foot slopes, stream terraces, and
floodplains.

Of the approximate 19,100 acres classified as prime farmland soils, most are generally
not suited to intensive crop cultivation due to severe flooding potential, slope, and
susceptibility to erosion. Approximately 8,300 acres or 2.8 percent of the county’s total
acres are generally suited for more intensive crop cultivation. Soils suited for cultivated
crops are found on the bottomlands, terraces, and a few gently to moderately sloping

July 2012 2-7
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

upland areas. Actual acreage used for small grain crops and row crops in Taney
County is quite limited. Stream terraces and the floodplains along the creeks and the
lakes are used to produce winter wheat, grain sorghum and soybeans (Taney County
Master Plan, p. 6.7). Most cleared areas in the county are used for pasture and hay
production. The livestock industry includes dairy and beef cattle and the raising of hogs
for the feeder pig market. Most of the county’s soils have low soil fertility, requiring the
addition of plant food for maximum production of crops and hays for the livestock
industry.

Soil types and geologic features have a significant impact on the development of Taney
County. Most soils have severe limitations for use of on-site sewage disposal systems.
Conditions that affect the ability of the soils to adequately absorb the effluent discharge
from septic systems include soil permeability, depth to bedrock, high water table, and
flooding. Improperly designed, installed or maintained septic systems can result in the
discharge of poorly treated or untreated wastes into the groundwater system through the
underground conduits characteristic of karst topography.

Building site development in Taney County is also impacted by soils characteristics and
geologic structure. Thin soils, depth to bedrock, wetness, slope, shrink-swell and low
strength are common features of many of the soils associations which either severely
restrict development or require increased building site preparation. Soil erosion in areas
of thin soils and extreme slope is also a concern.

Significant Natural Communities

Significant natural communities in Taney County include chert savannas, dolomite and
limestone glades, balds, caves, and creeks/small rivers. These natural communities
provide habitats for several sensitive and endangered species, some of which are found
only in Taney County. Glades and caves are predominant natural communities in Taney
County. The Hercules Glades wilderness area and the Thorpe Creek Glade, located
south of Hollister, are the largest and highest quality glades in the county. The Skaggs-
Keeter Ranch, located near the Drury Refuge, is considered a significant savanna
habitat. Other significant habitats in Taney County include the Hollister Tower Site and
the White River Balds Natural Area, located in the Henning State Forest.

Both Hercules Glades and the White River Balds Natural Area are significant habitat-
managed natural communities. The Hercules Glades Wilderness Area is designated by
the U.S. Congress as a Wilderness Area. No motorized vehicles are allowed access
and no timber harvesting or other similar type of environmental disturbance is allowed in
Hercules Glades. The White River Balds is a state-designated Natural Area. The
Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural
Resources will not permit any use or diversion of this area for a use which is not
compatible with the area’s preservation objectives, unless there is a critical need and no
other feasible alternative.

There are at least 130 known caves in Taney County (Missouri Speleological Survey,
Inc., 1999). One of the more significant caves is Tumbling Creek Cave, located in the
Protem area. Tumbling Creek Cave houses the Ozarks Underground Laboratory, the
only such underground hydrogeology laboratory in the United States. This cave is also
home to endangered species, including the Gray bat the Indiana bat, as well as Antrobia
culveri, an aquatic snail which is a candidate for classification as a federally endangered

July 2012 2-8
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

species. The Antrobia culveri is a unique species and genus found in no other place in
the world. Tumbling Creek Cave is further noted as containing the greatest diversity of
fauna in any cave located west of the Mississippi River. It has been designated as a
Natural National Landmark by the Department of the Interior and is listed as a significant
cave by the U.S. Forest Service.

Demographics

Population Trends

Taney County’s population increased from 39,703 in 2000 to 51,675 in 2010 a 30
percent increase in ten years. This rapid population increase resulted from continued in-
migration of persons attracted by employment opportunities in the booming Branson
area entertainment industry as well as in-migration of retirees attracted by the area’s
lower cost of living and natural environment.

Although the percentage share of population living in the incorporated communities in
Taney County has increased since the 1970s, the majority of the population resides in
the unincorporated areas of the county. In 2010, 57% of the population lived in
unincorporated areas. Two settlement areas have incorporated since the 2000
Census—Bradleyville and Kirbyville. Bradleyville has since unincorporated prior to the
2010 Census. In addition, Table Rock Village was incorporated into the City of Branson
in 2004.

Table 2-2: Population Growth, 2000-2010
2000 2010 Change 2000- % Change
Jurisdiction Population Population 2010 2000-2010
Taney County Total 39,703 51,675 11,972 30.1%
Branson 6,050 10,520 4,470 73.8%
Bull Creek 225 603 378 168%
Forsyth 1,686 2,255 569 33.7%
Hollister 3,867 4,426 559 14.4%
Kirbyville - 207 - -
Merriam Woods 1,142 1,761 619 54.2%
Rockaway Beach 577 841 234 45.7%
Taneyville Village 359 396 37 10.3%
Incorporated Total 13,906 21,009 6,866 51%
Unincorporated Total 25,797 30,666 4,869 18.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. 2010 Census

The spatial distribution of population is significantly influenced by the county’s
topography, lakes, highway network, and location of public lands. Population in Taney
County is primarily concentrated in the west half of the county, located along the major
transportation corridors and in proximity to the lakes. The cities of Branson and Hollister
— bordering on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo— form the population center
located in the western section of the county.

July 2012 2-9
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-4: Taney County Population Density, 2010

TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
POPULATION DENSITY MAP

~~ ~
w~-~ E .

1 in = 1 miles

.,
Census llocks 2010
POP10

- ~.,

July 2012 2-10
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Age Characteristics

Table 2-3 provides age specific data by Table 2-3: Taney County Age Specific
five year age group for Taney County’s Population, 2010
population in 2010. Taney County’s youth Age Cohort Population % of Total
represented 22.1 percent of the total Under 5 years 3,175 6.1
population in 2010, while working aged 5 to 9 years 3,012 5.8
citizens (19-64 years) accounted for 60.2 10 to 14 years 3,279 6.3
percent of the population. The retirement-
15 to 19 years 3,489 6.8
aged population (65 years and over)
constitutes 17.7 percent. 20 to 24 years 3,537 6.8
25 to 29 years 3,026 5.9
Trends in the median age of the 30 to 34 years 2,934 5.7
population for Taney County reflect the in- 35 to 39 years 2,983 5.8
migration of younger working aged adults 40 to 44 years 3,173 6.1
and families and the increase in retirees 45 to 49 years 3,542 6.9
to the region. Taney County’s 2000 50 to 54 years 3,563 6.9
median age was 38.8 years. In 2010, the 55 to 59 years 3,396 6.6
median age increased to 40.7 years. 60 to 64 years 3416 6.6
65 to 69 years 3111 6
Table 2-4 shows the percentage of
population by age cohort and jurisdiction 70 to 74 years 2388 4.6
in Taney County. Forsyth has the largest 75 to 79 years 1689 3.3
percentage of people 65 years and older, 80 to 84 years 1090 2.1
while Bull Creek Village has the highest 85 years and
percentage of younger population (under over 872 1.7
18 years). Total 51,675 100
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010
Census.

Table 2-4: Taney County and Municipalities, Age, 2010
Total Percent Percent Percent
Jurisdiction Population Under 18 19 - 64 65 and over Median Age
Taney County 51,675 22.1 60.2 17.7 40.7
Bradleyville -- -- -- -- --
Branson 10,520 18.8 61.7 19.6 41.2
Bull Creek 603 43.3 53.1 3.6 21.5
Forsyth 2,255 16.4 51 32.6 51.7
Hollister 4,426 23.2 60.5 16.3 36.6
Kirbyville 207 28 60.4 11.6 38.8
Merriam
Woods 1,761 27.8 59.3 12.9 34.7
Rockaway
Beach 841 21 60.5 18.4 45.3
Taneyville 396 33.3 53.8 12.9 33.6
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics. Age
Groups and Sex, QTP1. 2010.

July 2012 2-11
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Race and Ethnicity

Taney County’s population is primarily White, with minority populations representing 6.4
percent of the total population in 2010, a 2.6 percent increase from 2000. The Hispanic
population has been growing rapidly in Southwest Missouri since 2010, particularly in
counties located west of Taney County. Hispanics represented 4.8 percent of Taney
County’s total population in 2010. The number of individuals identified as Hispanic
increased from in 962 in 2000 to 2,494 in 2010, an increase of 259 percent.
Table 2-5: Race and Hispanic Population, 2010
Percent of Total Population
One Race Other
White Black or American Asian Native Some Two or Hispanic
African Indian Hawaiian Other More and
Jurisdiction American and and Other Race Races Latino
Alaska Pacific (any
Native Islander race)
Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent
Taney County 93.6 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.1 1.8 2.2 4.8
Branson 89 2 0.9 1.5 0.1 3.9 2.6 8.8
Bull Creek 88.7 1.3 0.2 0.7 0.8 4.8 3.5 10.1
Forsyth 96.1 0.3 0.9 0.4 0 0.5 1.8 3
Hollister 92.5 0.9 1.2 0.5 0.2 2.8 1.9 6.4
Kirbyville 88.4 0.5 0 2.4 0 7.2 1.4 6.8
Kissee Mills CDP 97.1 0.1 0.6 0 0 0 2.2 1.1
Merriam Woods 94.1 0.3 1.2 0.1 0 1.1 3.2 3.4
Rockaway Beach 96.1 0.7 1 0 0.6 0.4 1.3 2
Taneyville 96.7 0 0 0 0 1.5 1.8 3
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin. QTP3, Census 2010.

Income Characteristics

In 2010, 15 percent of Table 2-6: Taney County Household Income and Benefits, 2010
the county’s house- Number of Margin of Percent
holds had incomes of Household Income Households Error (MOE) of Total
less than $15,000 per Less than $10,000 1,762 +/- 315 8.7
year; 75.4 percent $10,000 to $14,999 1,283 +/- 249 6.3
between $15,000 and
$15,000 to $24,999 3,112 +/- 379 15.3
$99,999; and 9.6
$25,000 to $34,999 3,029 +/- 378 14.9
percent had income of
$35,000 to $49,999 3,511 +/- 405 17.3
$100,000 or more.
Taney County’s 1009 $50,000 to $74,999 3,750 +/- 394 18.5
median household $75,000 to $99,999 1,905 +/- 315 9.4
income was $39,026, $100,000 to $149,999 1,233 +/- 226 6.1
lower than that of the $150,000 to $199,999 280 +/- 127 1.4
State of Missouri $200,000 or more 416 +/- 175 2.1
($46,262) and the Median household
Nation ($51,914). The income $39,026 +/- $ 1,933 --
2009 per capita Total households 20,281 +/- 617 100
income for the Taney Source: ACS 2006-2010. Selected Economic Characteristics. DP03.
County was also lower than the state and national figures.

July 2012 2-12
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

The actual poverty rate in the county decreased from 12.4 percent to 10.5 percent over
the between 2000 and 2010. Poverty is most acute for children under the age of 18. In
2009 for persons for whom poverty level could be determined, 22.7 percent of children
under the age of 18 lived below the poverty level.

Educational Attainment

The educational and skills level of the workforce is a critical factor influencing
opportunities for attracting new business development to Taney County and achieving
greater economic diversification. American Community Survey 2006-2010 indicates that
86.6 percent of the population 25 years and older are high school graduates or higher,
an increase of 5.2 percent over 2000; 20 percent have a bachelor’s degree or higher, an
increase of 4.6 percent from 2000. The percentage of the county’s adults with a high
school diploma falls short of nearby Greene and Christian Counties however, is slightly
above the State of Missouri according to the American Community Survey 2006-2010.
Many of those who have not graduated from high school are older adults who completed
their education a number of years ago when educational attainment rates were
significantly lower overall.

Table 2-7: Educational Attainment, Population 25 Years and Older, 2010
Less 9th to High school Some Assoc. Bachelor’s Percent Percent
than 12th graduate, college, degree degree or high bachelor's
Jurisdiction 9th grade, includes no higher school degree or
grade no equivalency degree graduate higher
diploma or higher
Taney County 1,442 3,085 11,968 4,532 1,727 5,928 86.6% 20%
+/- 260 +/- 411 +/- 621 +/- 440 +/- 275 +/-700 N/A N/A
Branson 3.7% 6.1% 33.1% 27.4% 7.0% 22.8% 90.2% 22.8%
+/-1.6 +/-2.8 +/-4.4 +/-4.3 +/-2.6 +/-6.1 +/-3.4 +/-4.4
Bull Creek 4.7% 19.7% 45.7% 13.4% 7.9% 8.7% 75.6% 8.7%
+/-6.7 +/-13.3 +/-15.2 +/-10.0 +/-8.7 +/-6.2 +/-14.2 +/-6.2
Forsyth 8.0% 8.7% 38.0% 26.3% 1.3% 17.7% 83.3% 17.7%
+/-6.5 +/-4.0 +/-5.6 +/-6.5 +/-1.5 +/-9.0 +/-8.0 +/-6.6
Hollister 7.6% 12.7% 44.2% 18.7% 5.8% 10.8% 79.6% 11.0%
+/-3.2 +/-4.4 +/-8.2 +/-5.3 +/-3.5 +/-7.1 +/-5.2 +/-5.6
Kirbyville 1.9% 15.1% 59.4% 13.2% 4.7% 5.7% 83.0% 5.7%
+/-3.9 +/-11.6 +/-16.2 +/-10.8 +/-9.0 +/-8.0 +/-11.5 +/-8.0
Kissee Mills 0.8% 23.2% 40.3% 19.5% 3.7% 12.6% 76.0% 12.6%
CDP +/-1.0 +/-13.4 +/-9.2 +/-7.4 +/-4.0 +/-10.6 +/-13.5 +/-7.6
Merriam 1.9% 13.8% 44.5% 24.4% 3.5% 11.9% 84.3% 12.0%
Woods +/-1.2 +/-5.1 +/-6.8 +/-5.7 +/-2.0 +/-5.4 +/-5.2 +/-4.3
Rockaway 3.0% 14.7% 40.0% 28.8% 4.5% 8.9% 82.3% 8.9%
Beach +/-3.6 +/-6.2 +/-9.1 +/-7.2 +/-3.3 +/-5.8 +/-7.7 +/-5.8
Taneyville 5.4% 15.7% 34.7% 26.9% 8.3% 9.1% 78.9% 9.1%
+/-5.2 +/-10.1 +/-10.8 +/-10.6 +/-4.8 +/-9.2 +/-11.5 +/-6.8
Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates, 2006-2010. Educational Attainment, S1501.

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 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Household Characteristics

In 2010, the number of households in Taney County was 20,755. Of these, 67 percent
were family households, and 33 percent were non-family households. The traditional
married couple with children under 18 years represented only 17 percent of the total
households in the county, while single person households represented 26 percent. The
most populated areas of the county, Branson, Hollister, and Forsyth, had, in general,
higher percentages of single person household and lower percentages of family
households than other jurisdictions. The average household size for Taney County is
2.41 persons per household, which is lower than the State (2.45) and the nation (2.58).

Table 2-8: Taney County Household Characteristics, 2010

Family Households
Total Married Single Non- Single Average
House Total Couple Parent Family Person Household
Jurisdiction w/children w/children Household Household Size
-holds Family
under 18 under 18
Taney
County** 20,755 13,897 3,526 1,800 6,858 5,445 2.41
Branson 3,790 2,191 657 43 1,599 1,333 2.03
Bull Creek 75 35 19 2 40 30 2.28
Forsyth 852 526 154 61 326 309 2.18
Hollister 1,871 1,219 280 79 652 547 2.02
Kirbyville 52 29 3 5 23 19 2.31
Merriam
Woods 713 503 95 111 210 140 2.26
Rockaway
Beach 315 180 29 22 135 118 1.96
Taneyville 143 115 35 24 28 25 2.4
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. American Community Survey 2005-2009, 5-Year Estimates. DP02. Selected Social
Charactersitics in the United States.
**U.S. Census Bureau. Summary File 1, Census

Economy, Employment, and Industry

Labor Force Characteristics

Taney County’s continued population growth since the between 2000 and 2010 is
reflected in the characteristics of its labor force. The county’s civilian labor force
increased from 20,927 persons in 2000 to approximately 27,938 persons in 2010, a 33.5
percent increase. This increase is less than that from 1990 to 2000 during which the
labor force for Taney County increased by 43.3 percent. In 2000, 22,932 persons or 82
percent of the labor force were employed, an eight percent decrease since 2000.

Seasonal variation in unemployment rates reflects the dominance of the tourism industry
in Taney County. Unemployment rates ranged from a low of 3.4 percent in October
2003 to a high of 21 percent in January 2003, with an average annual unemployment

July 2012 2-14
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

rate of 7.7 percent. Over the past several years, the tourist season has lengthened to
include events and activities during the fall and early winter months.

The greatest numbers of Taney County’s labor force are employed in the Arts,
Entertainment, & Recreation industrial sector, accounting for 29 percent of the employed
labor force in 2000. Data in Table 2-9 reflect employment of Taney County residents by
industry and not by actual place of employment.

Table 2-9: Employment by Industry, Taney County, 2009
Number Percent
Industry
Employed of Total
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting, and Mining 44 1.2
Construction 728 3.2
Manufacturing 499 2.2
Wholesale Trade 240 1.0
Retail Trade 5,106 22.3
Transportation and Warehousing, and Utilities 290 1.3
Information 348 1.5
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, and Rental and Leasing 2,069 9.0
Professional, Scientific, Mgmt., Admin., and Waste Mgmt. Services 2,022 8.8
Education, Health, and Social Services 1,299 5.7
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, & Food Services 7,869 34.4
Other Services (except Public Administration) 944 4.1
Public Administration -- --
Total 22,932 100.0
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. County Business Patterns, 2009.

Primary Industries

Table 2-10 lists businesses by industrial sector located in Taney County and the number
of employees. Retail and Accommodation and Food Services industries account for the
largest number of businesses and employees, reflecting the importance of the tourism
industry to the county.

Table 2-10: Taney County Businesses and Employees, 2009
Number of % of Number of % of
Business Businesses Total Employees Total
Agricultural Services 0 -- 0 --
Mining 6 0.3 44 0.2
Utilities 6 0.3 -- --
Construction 143 7.8 728 3.2
Manufacturing 50 2.7 499 2.2
Transportation & Warehousing 28 1.5 290 1.3
Wholesale 38 2.1 240 1
Retail 421 23 5,106 22.3
Information 26 1.4 348 1.5
Finance 63 3.4 412 1.8
Real Estate 115 6.3 1,309 5.7
Professional 108 5.9 556 2.4
Management of Companies & Enterprises 6 0.3 -- --
Admin/Support, Waste Mgt/Remediation Srvs 107 5.9 1,466 6.4

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-10: Taney County Businesses and Employees, 2009
Number of % of Number of % of
Business Businesses Total Employees Total
Educational Services 14 0.8 -- --
Health Care and Social Assistance 120 6.6 1,299 5.7
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation 105 5.7 1,919 8.4
Accommodation & Food Services 298 16.3 5,950 25.9
Other Services (except Public Admin) 156 8.5 944 4.1
Unclassified Establishments 17 0.8 -- --
Total 1,827 100 22,932 100
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. County Business Patterns, 2009.

Access to Employment: In-commuting and Out-commuting

Approximately 87.9 percent (20,341) of the county’s workers older than 16 years work in
Taney County. The remaining 10.4 percent of the workforce commutes outside of the
county. The average travel
time to work for Taney County Table 2-11: Place of Employment, 2010
Percent
residents decreased slightly
Taney County Employed Number of Total
from 21.7 minutes in 2000 to
Work in County of Residence 20,341 87.9
20.3 minutes in 2010. Work Outside County of Residence 2,385 10.4
However, travel time to work Work Outside of State 390 1.7
for county residents is still low Total Employed 22,932 100.0
when compared to other Source: American Community Survey 2006-2010. Means of
counties and the State, Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics. S0802.
possibly because of the low
percentage of out-commuting and better road development.

Land Use

Existing Land Use Patterns

The historical patterns of land development in Taney County have changed and
intensified as a result of growth in the tourism industry and rapid in-migration of new
population. The county’s population is projected to increase by nearly 21,000 persons
by the Year 2020, and if current land development trends continue, a majority of the
population will reside in the incorporated communities.

The spatial distribution of land uses in Taney County are clearly influenced by the major
transportation system, elements of the natural environment, and the substantial amount
of land in federal and state ownership. Limited by the very steep topography throughout
much of the county, development has occurred along the highways that tend to follow
ridgelines. The major lakes also affect development patterns. Concentrations of
residential and commercial development are located along Table Rock Lake and Lake
Taneycomo and to a lesser extent along Bull Shoals Lake in eastern Taney County.

According to the Taney County Master Plan, adopted in 1999, developed land uses in
Taney County account for over 14 percent of the county’s total land area. This includes
the incorporated cities and villages and developed uses in the unincorporated areas.
Most residential development in Taney County is located in the cities, along the Highway

July 2012 2-16
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

65, Highway 160 and Highway 76 corridors, and around the lakes in the western half of
the county. Overall, residential land uses in the unincorporated area account for
approximately 4.3 percent of total land area in the county. Single family residences are
the primary residential use. Multi-family development, including duplexes, apartments,
condominiums and time-share developments, are generally located in the urbanizing
area of the county near the cities and in close proximity to the lakes.

The vast majorities of commercial land uses in Taney County are located in the cities or
in the urbanizing areas along the major roads. Commercial strip development in the
unincorporated areas is most pronounced in the western townships, particularly along
(1) Highway 65 through and south of Hollister, (2) Highway 76 between Hollister and
northeast of Forsyth, and (3) along Highway 160 between Highway 65 and Forsyth
(Taney County Master Plan, 1999, p.7.5).

Industrial activity is one of the most underrepresented land use activities in the county,
due in part to the historical rural nature of the area and the rugged terrain that limits
suitable industrial sites and transportation access for shipment of raw materials and
products. Rock quarries account for a significant majority of total industrial acreages.
Most industrial uses and quarries are located near Branson and Hollister. Since 2000,
there has been an increase in light industrial uses, particularly in the City of Hollister
along the Highway 65 corridor.

Public and semi-public land uses in the unincorporated areas include schools, churches,
government facilities and institutional uses. Most such uses are located in close
proximity to the cities and in unincorporated settlement areas in the eastern section of
the county.

Approximately 82,000 acres are designated as farmland, or 19.4 percent of the county.
Most agricultural uses are located in the northern, eastern and southern sections of the
county. The farmland acreage does not include the nearly 70,000 acres of farm
woodlands. Of farm woodlands, approximately 48,000 acres are used for animal grazing
(Taney County Master Plan, 1999, p.7.7). There has been a decrease in undeveloped
forest lands in the county over the past decade, a trend that is expected to continue.
The greatest loss in forest lands has occurred in the urbanizing areas in the western
section of the county as land is cleared for new development.

Public Lands/Use Areas

Taney County itself does not own or operate any parks and recreation areas. However,
there are nearly 7,770 acres of state owned parks and recreation lands in the
unincorporated areas of the county. These sites include Table Rock State Park, Drury
Refuge, the Mincy Public Hunting Area, and the Henning Conservation Area. Table 2-12
lists State and Federal by agency and acreage of managed lands.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-12: Public Lands in Taney County
Management Areas Ownership Acres
Boston Ferry Conservation Area MDC 180.96
Branson Forestry Office MDC 4
Cooper Creek Access MDC 29.43
Drury-Mincy Conservation Area MDC 4,089
Empire District Electric Company
(Ozark Beach Recreation Area) MDC 1
Henning Conservation Area MDC 1,534
Hollister Towersite MDC 177.08
Mark Twain National Forest USFS 65,300
Rockaway Beach Access MDC 1
Shepherd of the Hills Fish MDC 155
Hatchery
Table Rock/Taneycomo Lake USACE 26,516
Area

MDC Missouri Department of
Conservation
USACE United States Army
Corps of Engineers
USFS United States Forest
Services
Source: Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S.
Forestry Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

A notable recreation area in the eastern section of Taney County is the Hercules Glade
Wilderness area located in the Mark Twain National Forest. This 12,315-acre area
allows for hiking, camping and horseback riding. Forested lands, most of which are
undeveloped, represent the predominant land use in the unincorporated area of Taney
County. Overall, forested land covers nearly 241,150 acres, representing 57.2 percent
of land use in the county. Of these forest lands, the Mark Twain National Forest
accounts for approximately 65,300 acres in the eastern and northeastern portion of the
county and is the primary land use in Beaver Township.

July 2012 2-18
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-5: Taney County Land Cover
TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
LAND USE I LAND COVER MAP

1 in = 1 miles

___ _____ _,

.~~~~~~
-===-:...?I:;-==--:
WGJI.oollloloo.l-r-_,. _ _ _

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Development Trends

The western Taney County area contains the greatest concentration and density of
urbanized land uses, particularly in and around the larger cities of Branson and Hollister
and the smaller communities of Bull Creek, Forsyth, Merriam Woods, and Rockaway
Beach.

Substantial new development has occurred over the past decade along the major
highway corridors in this part of the county, including U.S. Highway 65, Highway 76 and
Highway 160. While most major commercial developments are located in the cities,
much of the new development in the unincorporated areas is residential development,
including both single family residential uses and multi-family. Condominium
development is also included in the multi-family category.

Scattered residential uses are also located along the major and secondary roads, with
increasing levels of development occurring in the Merriam Woods and Bull Creek areas
as well as north of Branson.

Within the past few years, significant new commercial development has occurred in the
City of Hollister, with many new retail and service businesses located along the Highway
65 corridor. Planned improvements to Highway 65 between Hollister and the Arkansas
State line will increase development potential along this corridor. The Branson Landing,
a mixed use developed that opened in 2006, includes a shorefront boardwalk, anchor
stores, specialty shops, restaurants, a convention center, hotels, condominium
residences, entertainment and recreation. Its popularity attracts thousands of people
every day.

Today, Branson has over 40 theaters with more than 60,000 theater seats, 207 lodging
facilities with over 18,000 rooms and 200 restaurants with over 38,000 seats. At any
given night, there may by up to 20,000 visitors and employees located in the various
hotels and theaters on Branson’s main arterial road.

Housing

Taney County’s housing stock Table 2-13: Taney County Housing Characteristics
increased from 19,699 units in Estimate
2000 to 29,255 units in 2010, a 49 Total housing units 29,255
percent increase over the decade. Occupied housing units 20,755
The continued growth of Branson Owner-occupied 13,259
area tourism during the 2000s Renter-occupied 7,496
served to promote new housing Vacant housing units 8,500
construction to meet the demands For Sale 782
for new resident housing as well as For Rent 1,715
seasonal housing for vacationers. For Seasonal, Recreational, or
Of the incorporated communities, Occasional use 4,899
Hollister in particular experienced a Population living in owned homes 32,051
significant increase in new housing Population living in rental homes 17,880
construction during the 1990s to Source: Census 2010. Profile of General Population
and Housing Characteristics, DP01.
serve the needs of the Branson
tourism industry workforce.

July 2012 2-20
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Vacancy rates provide an indicator of housing availability. The county’s overall housing
vacancy rate was up from 17.9 percent in 2000 to 29.1 percent in 2010, including vacant
units for seasonal use. A large increase in the number of vacant seasonal units is the
cause of this drastic change. The vacancy rate for owner-occupied units was 3.2
percent, indicating that there is a moderate availability of housing for purchase. In 2010,
slightly over 50 percent of the housing units in Taney County were single family
detached units. The second largest type of housing units in the county is mobile homes
accounting for 15 percent of all housing units.

Table 2-14: Taney County Housing Units in Structure, 2010
Housing units (including Vacant) Estimate Margin of Error
Total housing units** 29,255
Single Family Units 15,425 +/- 577
Single Unit, detached 14,734 +/- 548
Single Unit, attached 691 +/- 182
Duplexes 448 +/- 168
3 or 4 units 858 +/- 267
5 to 9 units 1,611 +/- 355
10 to 19 units 2,816 +/- 410
20 or more units 1,640 +/- 432
Mobile home 4,373 +/- 395
Boat, RV, van, etc. 64 +/- 52
Source: American Community Survey 2006-2010. Selected Housing Characteristics, DP04.
**Census 2010. Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics, DP01.

The greatest concentrations of manufactured housing developments are located along
the major highways, such as Highways 76 and 160, in close proximity to the cities.
Individual mobile home lots or tracts are scattered along primary and secondary roads
throughout the county, with clustering north of Branson, around Table Rock Lake, and in
the fringe areas around Hollister, Merriam Woods, Taneyville, and Forsyth.

Table 2-15: Taney County Mobile Home Parks and Subdivisions
Name Address City Telephone
Country Living Mobile Home Park Hwy 248 Branson 417-334-3794
The Yacht Club Yacht Club Lane Branson 417-334-5594
Misty Mountain Acres Mobile Home Park N Hwy 65 Branson 417-443-3357
Smokey Mountain Estates 220 Cedar Park Rd Branson 417-335-8043
Branson View Estates 2543 State Hwy F Branson 417-561-2255
Carsons Country Court Hwy 248 & Expressway Branson 417-334-3084
Hidden Ridges Estates 370 Salem Rd Branson 417-334-4926
Lakeview Mobile Home Park 3147 State Hwy YY Branson 417-858-2027
Northwoods Mobile Home Park 154 Wintergreen Rd Branson 417-334-3232
Summit Ridge Mobile Home Park 3 Cardinal Course Forsyth 417-546-2141
Wall Eye Haven Court & Mobile Homes Park Forsyth 417-546-5142
Justmoore Inc. Rolling Meadows Park 241 Rolling Meadows Rd Forsyth 417-546-5182
Rolling Meadows Mobile Home Park 241 Rolling Meadows Rd Forsyth 417-546-5182
Gobblers Knob Mobile Home Park 237 Early Lane Hollister 417-334-3753
Whispering Oaks Mobile Home Park Hwy BB Hollister 417-335-2370
Yacht Club Hollister 417-334-0990

July 2012 2-21
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Transportation Infrastructure

Roads

Several key roads are responsible for moving traffic in Taney County. The primary
north-south arterial is U.S. Highway 65. Highway 65 links Branson with Springfield to
the north and Harrison, Arkansas to the south. Highway 65 is Taney County’s primary
access route for bringing tourists, goods, and services into the region. Highway 65 also
provides a linkage with other major routes outside of the county, including Interstate 44
and Highway 60. Highway 65 is also a primary link between Southwest Missouri and
Little Rock, Arkansas. Because of the tremendous increase in traffic on Highway 65
caused by a greater number of tourists and residents, the road has been expanded to a
four-lane limited access highway between Branson and Springfield and has been
expanded to a four-lane divided highway south to the Arkansas State line and further on
to the city of Harrison, Arkansas.

Highway 76 serves as a primary east-west route for Taney County. Highway 76 enters
Taney County on the western border near Branson, and exits the county’s northeast
corner near Brownbranch. Highway 76 has a major concentration of tourist attractions in
the Branson area, and serves as the primary link from Branson to Forsyth. Another
significant east-west highway is U.S. Highway 160. Highway 160 connects western
Springfield with Stone County, and enters Taney County near its northwest corner. The
road then intersects with Highway 65, proceeds through Forsyth, and provides the only
major access to Ozark County to the east. Both Highway 160 and Highway 76 are two-
lane facilities. These routes lack shoulders in most areas, especially where the terrain is
uneven.

Taney County is divided into two road districts, each responsible for the county roads,
with the Eastern and Western County Commissioners presiding over their own districts.
Both districts are currently placing an emphasis on maintenance, road surfacing, and
replacement of deteriorating bridges. In addition, the western district is redeveloping the
road network for Branson and the surrounding area. The strain of maintaining the
county road system is significant. Taney County has stopped accepting local roads for
county maintenance.

Airports

There are three airports that serve Taney County. The M. Graham Clark Airport
(general aviation), located west of U.S. Hwy 65 in the northwestern portion of Hollister,
provides passenger services for smaller private planes and charter jets as well as limited
freight shipment. Taney County recently took over operation of the M. Graham Clark
Airport from the College of the Ozarks.

The Branson Airport (commercial airport) is located approximately six miles south of
Hollister on Branson Creek Boulevard, off of Highway 65. The airport was opened in
2009 and serves general aviation as well as regular commercial passenger service.
This limited service airport offers service with AirTran, Frontier, and Branson AirExpress.

The Springfield-Branson Regional Airport (commercial airport), located an hour away in
Springfield, provides regular commercial air service for the region. Visitors to Branson
rely on motor coaches, shuttle vans, or rental vehicles to get from the Springfield-

July 2012 2-22
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Branson Regional Airport to the Branson area. Taney County is also served by a
seabase airport outside of Rockaway Beach as well as two private airstrips southwest of
Kirbyville.

There are two heliports registered with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) in
Taney County; one in the City of Branson at Skaggs Community Hospital and the other
privately owned. There are other non-listed heliports throughout the county.

Public Transportation

Taney County is serviced by OATS, Inc. (Older Americans Transportation System) for
public transportation needs. OATS transportation is available to anyone regardless of
age or income. Days of the week and times of transit to specific towns are available
through the internet or by calling an OATS driver in the county. There are two available
vehicles in Taney County that run by caller demand. Appointments for pick-up may also
be made by contacting the driver (http://www.oatstransit.org). Other transportation
services are also provided by the Disabled American Veterans bus and Skaggs Hospital.

Railroads

Freight rail service is provided by the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad, which links
Branson with Aurora and beyond. There is no passenger rail system in Taney County,
although there is an excursion railway based in Branson. This is a 40-mile roundtrip
tourist excursion route that runs through Branson, Reeds Spring and Galena, with return
on the same track. The train currently does not stop at any of the communities along the
route. There have also been trains chartered to the Branson area in past years.

MoDOT Maintenance Facilities

The Missouri Department of Transportation has four maintenance facilities in Taney
County. One facility is located in Branson, at 275 West Outer Road, approximately 0.2
miles west of Highway 65. The second facility is located in Bradleyville at Route 76, 4.5
miles east of Route AA in Taneyville. The third facility is located in Reuter at Route 160,
2.75 miles west of 125, in Kissee Mills. The Hollister facility is located on Route 76,1.25
miles east of Business 65.

The Branson facility includes two concrete block buildings (6 bays each), a salt shed and
another out building. Major equipment for road maintenance includes five extra heavy
duty trucks, three heavy duty trucks, one 1ton pickup, one ½ ton pickup, one front end
loader, one road grater. The Bradleyville facility includes one concrete block structure (6
bays), two dump trucks, and one front end loader. The Hollister facility includes one
concrete block building (5 bays), one metal storage shed, two dump trucks, two pickup
trucks, and one front end loader. The Reuter facility includes one concrete block
building (6 bays), two dump trucks, and one front end loader. All vehicles in these
facilities have snow removal capabilities.

July 2012 2-23
Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-6: Taney County Transportation System

1 in= 1 miles

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July 2012 2-24
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Utilities

Water Supply/Services

The communities of Branson, Bull Creek, Forsyth, Hollister, Merriam Woods, Rockaway
Beach, and Taneyville all provide municipal water service. In addition to these
community water systems operated by the municipalities, there are 52 other community
water systems serving 32,802 people, 54 transient non-community water systems
serving 8,653 people, and ten non-transient non-community water systems serving
2,902 people in Taney County. Almost all of these systems utilize ground water. The
City of Branson and College of the Ozarks derive their water from surface water, and
one private development serving 65 people derives its water from groundwater under the
direct influence of surface water (UDI). In addition to these water systems, many
residents in rural areas derive their water from private wells. See Appendix E for
definitions of water systems listed in the MDNR’s Safe Drinking Water Information
System.

Maintaining the quality of groundwater is of particular concern for Taney County.
Features of karst topography which allow for the relatively easy movement of surface
contaminants into the groundwater system, along with soils characteristics which limit
the functioning of septic tank systems, increase the potential for groundwater
contamination. Also, several of the more rural systems do not provide adequate
pressure and the fire districts must obtain water from other sources for fire fighting
purposes (Missouri Department of Natural Resources, http://www.dnr.mo.gov/wpscd/).

Wastewater Treatment Systems

Wastewater treatment in Taney County is provided through numerous public wastewater
treatment systems and individual on-site wastewater systems (septic tank systems).
The communities of Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, Rockaway Beach, Merriam Woods, and
Taneyville provide municipal wastewater treatment to their residents and businesses.
The Rockaway Beach Regional Treatment facility also serves the Village of Bull Creek.
Bradleyville is currently seeking funding to build a wastewater treatment plant. Septic
tanks are the primary method of wastewater treatment in the rural areas of the county,
as well as in Kirbyville.

Many of the larger developments, including hotels and resorts, are served by on-site
wastewater treatment systems. The terrain is such in Taney County, that if the system
was not on-site, the cost would likely be prohibitive due to the number of lift stations that
would be required. Missouri Department of Natural Resources currently regulates 69
open discharge wastewater treatment facilities according to the Taney County
Wastewater Master Plan, Addendum 1 (MDNR, Taney County Regional Sewer District,
taneycounty.org).

Currently, the City of Branson has two wastewater treatment facilities. The facilities in
Rockaway Beach and Hollister serve a larger regional area. The City of Hollister has a
Sewer Services and Exclusive Territorial Agreement with the Taney County Sewer
District, allowing the city to collect and treat wastewater for areas including Coon Creek,
Table Rock, Turkey Creek, Short Creek, Poverty Point, Lake Shore, Long Beach,
College of the Ozarks, and Oak Grove. The Rockaway Beach Regional Treatment

July 2012 2-25
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Facility provides wastewater treatment to Bull Creek, Merriam Woods, and will
potentially serve unincorporated areas of the county.
The Taney County Regional Sewer District’s Taney County Wastewater Master Plan
(April 1999) addresses the current and projected wastewater treatment needs in sixteen
of the twenty-one watersheds in Taney County, excluding the watershed areas within the
cities of Branson, Hollister, and Forsyth. The Master Plan notes that Taney County’s
soils are generally not well suited for septic tank use. If Taney County is to maintain the
quality of its water resources as population continues to grow over the next 20 years, the
extension of centralized sanitary sewers and further regionalization of wastewater
treatment facilities in the urbanizing area is considered essential.

Solid Waste Disposal

Taney County is a member of Solid Waste District "N" which also includes the counties
of Stone, Barry, Lawrence, and Dade. American Disposal Company serves the cities of
Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, and Rockaway Beach and the villages of Bradleyville, Bull
Creek, and Kirbyville. Approximately 85 percent of the county’s solid wastes are hauled
by this company. The Village of Taneyville has its own disposal service. Solid waste
disposal in other communities is provided by independent trash haulers located in the
county and in Arkansas.

Taney County does not have a permitted solid waste landfill. An old landfill is located in
the central section of the county, southeast of the Highway 76-Mildred area (T23N,
R20W, and Sec22). This landfill has been closed for many years. Most solid wastes are
taken to a permitted landfill in Kansas. The county has one solid waste transfer station,
located outside of the City of Branson.

Taney County has two public recycling centers in operation. One is located at the
county’s maintenance facility in Forsyth, where tin, aluminum, glass and plastics are
accepted. The other recycling center is operated by the City of Branson, which accepts
a variety of fibers and can products, and is one of the highest volume recycling centers
in Solid Waste District "N". Nearly 65 percent of the recycled materials handled at the
Branson facility are brought in from county residents living outside of the City of Branson
(Taney County Master Plan, p. 9.15; http://www.co.taney.mo.us/TaneyCo/default.htm).

Electric Service

Three companies provide electric service to Taney County: the White River Valley
Electric Cooperative, the Empire District Electric Company, and the Carroll Electric
Cooperative. The White River Valley Electric Cooperative serves residential and
commercial customers from the communities of Bradleyville, Bull Creek, Kirbyville,
Merriam Woods, Rockaway Beach and Taneyville. The Empire District Electric
Company serves customers in the western communities of Branson, Forsyth, Hollister,
and part of Kirbyville. Empire District owns one power generation facility on Lake
Taneycomo. The Powersite Dam facility, located near Forsyth, generates approximately
16,000 kilowatts of power, or 2 percent of the company’s power generation.

The Carroll Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Berryville, Arkansas, serves the
extreme southwestern corner of Taney County located between the Arkansas state line
and the center line of Table Rock Lake.

July 2012 2-26
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Telephone Service

Telephone service in Taney County is provided by Century Tel. Century Tel provides
internet access to areas of Taney County and the White River Valley Electric
Cooperative is also using its infrastructure to run high-speed internet into many portions
of the county. Currently, the age of the telephone system precludes many people from
accessing medical care, internet services, as well as other important services because a
call outside a person’s prefix is automatically a long distance call. Cox Communications
may soon be offering another alternative to the current phone service, but the benefits
are yet undetermined.

Natural Gas Service

At the current time, Taney County does not have natural gas service.

Underground Utilities

Century Tel, the primary provider of telecommunications in Taney County, and White
River Valley Electric Cooperative have underground lines in the county. For security
purposes, the locations of utility lines are not disclosed in this Plan.

Table 2-16: Taney County Utility Service Providers
Utility Provider Address Telephone
Electric Service
Carroll Electric Cooperative 920 Hwy. 62 Spur Berryville, 870-423-2161
Corporation AR 72616
Empire District Electric Company 215 W. Main 800-206-2300
Branson, MO 65615
White River Valley Electric State Highway 14 417-485-6012
Cooperative Ozark, MO 65721
Natural Gas Service
None Available
Telephone Service
Century Tel of Missouri, LLC Jefferson City, MO 65101 573-636-4261
Cox Communications 310 Walnut Extension 417-334-7897
Branson, MO 65616

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Key Community Facilities and Services

Law Enforcement

The Taney County Sheriff’s Department provides law enforcement and protection
services to the unincorporated areas of the county and to incorporated communities that
do not have their own police departments, including Bull Creek, and Taneyville. The
cities of Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, Rockaway Beach and the Village of Merriam Woods
have police departments providing law enforcement services to their respective
communities. The Sheriff’s Department also provides assistance to the municipal police
departments as needed. The Sheriff’s Department offices and jail facilities (constructed
in 1981) are located in Forsyth. The Department has fifty employees, including dispatch,
jail personnel and deputies. In addition to law enforcement and protection services, the
Department provides the DARE Program, K-9 units to search residences and schools,
Neighborhood Watch Program, Cub Scout and Boy Scout drug education program,
Children ID photo and fingerprinting, and participates in various community fundraising
events.

Fire Protection

Fire protection services in Taney County are provided by six fire departments and two
fire protection districts. All of the districts or fire departments have mutual aid
agreements with nearby departments. In addition to basic fire prevention and fire
protection services, many of the fire departments and districts also have rescue units
and/or provide first responders for emergency care situations

The fire protection departments and districts with facilities in Taney County are listed
below. For security purposes, information on the location of facilities, fire fighting
vehicles, equipment, and number of firefighters is contained in the Taney County
Emergency Management Director’s Manual.

 Branson Fire and Rescue
 Bradleyville Rural Fire Department
 Cedar Creek Fire Protection District
 Central Taney County Fire Protection District
 Forsyth Fire Department
 Point Lookout Fire Department
 Protem Fire Protection District
 Western Taney County Fire Protection District

The Western Taney County Fire Protection District serves a 212 square mile area in the
western section of the county, including unincorporated areas and the communities of
Bull Creek, Hollister, Kirbyville, Merriam Wood and Rockaway Beach. The Central
Taney County Fire Protection District serves unincorporated areas in the central portion
of the county and the community of Taneyville.

July 2012 2-28
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

911 Emergency Communications

The E-911 Service in Taney County is located in Forsyth and is dispatched through the
Sheriff’s Office. It is the main dispatcher of calls for the municipal law enforcement and
fire departments/districts. All emergency calls placed within the city limits of Branson are
answered at the Branson Police Department. Any call requiring medical assistance is
forwarded to the Taney County Ambulance District Dispatch Center, also in Forsyth.

Medical Facilities

Taney County is served by Skaggs Community Health Center located in Branson.
Skaggs is a 132-bed facility offering a wide range of medical services to residents and
visitors. Residents are also served by St. John’s Regional Health Center and Cox
Medical Center located in Springfield and North Arkansas Regional Medical Center in
Harrison, Arkansas. Most medical clinics within Taney County are located in Branson,
Forsyth, and Hollister, although a new medical clinic opened in May 2005 in Bradleyville
in the northeastern section of the county. Medical facilities located in Taney County are
listed in Table 2-17.

The Taney County Health Department, located in Forsyth, provides a wide range of
public health services to Taney County residents, such as the WIC program, blood
pressure clinics, influenza shots, school athletic physicals and various other health
services.

Under cooperative agreement with the Taney County Health Department, the Branson
Health Department provides environmental health services to the City of Branson and
Taney County at large. Some of the services offered include environmental health and
pollution control services, inspections of food preparation establishments, swimming
pools, etc.

Table 2-17: Medical Facilities in Taney County
Facility Name Address City Telephone
Jordan Valley Health Clinic 25861 E. State Hwy 76 Bradleyville 417-796-2081
Branson Health Department 110 W. Maddux Branson 417-334-3354
Burrell Behavioral Health 155 Corporate Place Branson 417-269-2476
Cox Health Center 890 State Hwy 248 Branson 417-335-2299
Ferrell-Duncan Clinic 101 Skaggs Rd, Ste 102 Branson 417-875-3246
Skaggs Community Health Center N. Bus 65 & Skaggs Rd Branson 417-335-7733
Skaggs Family Health Clinic 545 N. Bus Hwy 65 Branson 417-335-7540
Skaggs Urgent Care 454 N. Bus. Hwy 65 Branson 417-335-7587
Skaggs Wound Care and Hyperbaric 101 Skaggs Rd, Ste 103 Branson 417-335-7792
Medicine
Smith-Glynn-Callaway Clinic-Branson 101 Skaggs Rd, Ste 101 Branson 417-334-7647
St. John’s Clinic 260 Terrace Rd Branson 417-336-2273
St. John’s Clinic 1065 State Hwy 248 Branson 417-337-9808
St. John's Clinic Urgent Care 1940 State Hwy 165 Branson 417-337-5000
Bridges Clinic 256 Hwy Y Forsyth 417-546-4200
Forsyth Medical Center 517 Coy Blvd Forsyth 417-546-2447
Skaggs Clinic 13852 State Hwy 160 Forsyth 417-546-3500

July 2012 2-29
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-17: Medical Facilities in Taney County
Facility Name Address City Telephone
Taney County Health Department 15479 State Hwy 160 Forsyth 417-546-4725
Agape Primary Care 2331 S. Bus Hwy 65 Hollister 417-339-3033
Skaggs Community Hollister Clinic 590 Birch Rd Hollister 417-239-3400
Skaggs Family Clinics 590 Birch Rd Hollister 417-335-7726
Southside Family Clinic 590 Birch Rd Hollister 417-239-3400
St. John's Hollister Medical Center 151 Birch Rd Hollister 417-336-4355
Tri Lakes Primary Care 2460 S. Bus Hwy 65 Hollister 417-334-8271

Ambulance Service

Emergency ground transportation service for all of Taney County is provided by the
Taney County Ambulance District. The dispatch center and headquarters are located in
Hollister. The district includes four permanent stations, and ambulances are strategically
located throughout the county, based on call volume in those areas. One ambulance is
a Critical Care Unit and the district has an MCI trailer that is used for Mass Casualty
Incidents.

Air ambulance services are available through Cox Air Care (Cox Health Systems) and
Hammons Life Line Air Ambulance (Mercy Regional Health Center) in Springfield.

Table 2-18: Ambulance Services in Taney County
Ambulance Service Address Telephone
Ground Ambulance
Taney County EMS Ambulance District 18 Industrial Park Rd. 417-334-6586
Hollister
Air Ambulance
Cox Air Care 1423 N. Jefferson 800-333-5269
Springfield
Mercy (Saint John’s) EMS Life Line 1235 E. Cherokee 417-820-2300
Springfield 800-433-5433

Other Key Facilities/Services

Other key services essential during natural disasters include the services provided by
the American Red Cross-Greater Ozarks Chapter and Christian Associates of Table
Rock Lake. Christian Associates, serving Stone County and part of Taney County, is
located in the Kimberling City Shopping Center on Highway 13 in Stone County.
Christian Associates provides various services that would assist in disaster recovery,
including a domestic violence hotline, thrift shop, and assistance with rent and utilities.
Individuals served through Christian Associates must first obtain possible assistance
through the Red Cross.

The American Red Cross--Greater Ozarks Regional Chapter is located at 1545 N. West
Bypass in Springfield, Missouri. The Chapter’s Disaster Action Team is available 24
hours a day, every day, to respond to disasters. Disaster relief focuses on disaster-
caused emergent needs of shelter, food, clothing, and health. The Greater Ozarks
Chapter also works with city, county, and state emergency management agencies on
disaster preparedness and training. The Chapter has ongoing efforts to recruit and train

July 2012 2-30
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

volunteers as well as secure resources for shelter, communications and supplies
(American Red Cross, Greater Regional Ozarks Chapter, http://www.redcross-
ozarks.org).

To secure shelter resources, the Chapter maintains records of institutions and
organizations in each county that would be willing to enter into an agreement for use of
the facility for a designated need as determined by the Red Cross following a disaster
event. These entities have completed and filed forms with the Chapter that provide
information on the physical facility and capabilities to function as an emergency shelter.
When a disaster occurs, the Red Cross contacts these entities as may be necessary to
arrange for use of the facility. The communities in which these potential Red Cross
emergency shelters are located are noted on Figure 2-7.

July 2012 2-31
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-7: Taney County Key Facilities

July 2012 2-32
Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Government Owned Buildings

Government structures include county and municipal government facilities, judicial
facilities, post offices, and state and federal facilities. The greatest concentration of
government structures in Taney County is located in the county seat of Forsyth. The
following table lists the locations of government facilities.

Table 2-19: Government Buildings in Taney County
Structure Location
Taney County
Courthouse 132 David Street, Forsyth
County Commission 139 David Street, Forsyth
County Clerk’s Office 266A Main Street, Forsyth
Animal Control 255 Critter Trail, Hollister
Health Department 15479 State Highway 160, Forsyth
Taney County Juvenile Office 211B Main Street, Forsyth
Road & Bridge #1/TS Station 274 Buchanan Road, Branson
Road & Bridge #2 195 Gilbert Lane, Hilda
Road & Bridge Superintendent 248 Main Street, Forsyth
Sheriff/Road & Bridge Storage (2), Salt Shed 3937 State Hwy F, Rockaway Beach
Salt Shed 865 Tate Road, Ridgedale
Salt Shed 15370 N. State Hwy 125, Bradleyville
Bradleyville
Post Office 25856 State Highway 76
Fire Station N. State Highway 125
Branson
City Hall/Police Department 110 W Maddux
City of Branson Office Building 112 College
Fire Station #1 103 W. Hwy 76
Fire Station #2 251 Branson Meadow Dr
Fire Station #3 3500 Keeter Street
Community Building 210 Compton
Recreation/Aquatic Centers 1500 Branson Hills Parkway
Facilities Maintenance Building Stockstill Park
Health Department 125 Gateway Drive
Public Works Garage 601 Compton Drive
Post Office 320 S. Commercial
th
Library 200 S. 4 Street
Bull Creek
City Hall 1886 State Highway F
Cedarcreek
Post Office 6589 State Highway M
Forsyth
City Hall/Police Station/Fire Station 15405 US Highway 160
Post Office 240 Main Street
City Shop Blair Boulevard
Community Building Panther Road
Wastewater Treatment Plant Hwy 76, Shoals Bin Property
Hollister
City Hall 290 Esplanade
Police Station 14848 S State Highway 65

July 2012 2-33
Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-19: Government Buildings in Taney County
Structure Location
Post Office 1980 Business Highway 65
Post Office – Branson Annex 141e Industrial Park Drive
Public Works Department 1393 V Highway

Kirbyville
Post Office 4202 E State Highway 76
Fire Station 8118 E State Highway 76
Kissee Mills
Post Office 21423 US Highway 160
Merriam Woods
City Complex 4417 State Hwy 176
Point Lookout
Post Office 99980 Academic Avenue
Powersite
Post Office 1885 State Highway Vv
Protem
Post Office 5242 S State Highway 125
Ridgedale
Post Office 3234 Ridgedale Road
Rockaway Beach
City Hall 588 Boys Camp Road
Post Office 2578 State Highway 176
Rueter
Post Office 149 N State Highway 125
Taneyville
City Hall 227 Central Avenue
Post Office 310 Grand Avenue
Sewer Plant 485 Hulls Ford Road
Other
MO Department of Social Services 2720 Shepherd of the Hills Expwy, Branson
MoDOT Maintenance Facility 20907 E. Hwy 76, Taneyville
MoDOT Maintenance Facility 33279 Hwy 160, Kissee Mills
MoDOT Maintenance Facility 275 West Outer Road, Branson
MoDOT Maintenance Facility Hwy 76, Hollister

July 2012 2-34
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-8: Taney County Government Buildings

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Hollister City Hall/Public Works
Taney County Cf!urlhouse
Taney County Planning & Zoning/
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Branson Cfty,HB?iHt'l-t~' Wastewater Plant • Taney County Jucftttjal Cen~y
Branson Engineering \ Water Department \ , Taney County Sewelf'.,Pep$.~
Ei}insdn Polic~ Department U.S. Post Offrce '\ Library ";r )
Bran$on Bulldi~g/Pianning Dept
Branson Municipal Court
Branson Parks!li ::reation Dept
Taney County Ambulance Dispatch Center
Parks Departm ; t ~ I
Univershy of Missouri Extension Center
Veterans Administration

Branson Public-c'9vorks Dept
Branson UtiHti:s Dept
Community Center '

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Branson Fire Starlons 1, 2, 3 • M02010R~ N f--.
Taney County Health Dept

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July 2012 2-35
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Centers of Large Population Concentration

Facilities or other sites that concentrate large numbers of people within a defined area
may require special attention for pre-disaster mitigation, advance notification of possible
disaster, or disaster response. Examples of such facilities include schools, large
employment centers, commercial centers, major recreation attractions, and facilities that
serve special needs populations.

Schools

Nine public school districts serve Taney County. School districts with facilities in the
county include Bradleyville R-I, Branson R-IV, Forsyth R-III, Hollister R-V, Kirbyville R-
VI, Mark Twain R-VIII, and Taneyville R-II (Figure 2-10). The Branson School District
serves the greatest number of students with a total enrollment of 4,471 during the 2010-
2011 year. The remaining two school districts serving Taney County are Galena R-II
and Spokane R-IV. These districts do not have school facilities in Taney County. There
are also two private schools in Taney County. Riverview is a Baptist-affiliated K-12
school in Forsyth, and New Life Academy is a Pentecostal-affiliated K-12 school in
Hollister.

College of the Ozarks

The College of the Ozarks is located in Taney County at Point Lookout. Established in
1906, it is now a private, accredited four-year institution situated on 1,000 acres with a
student enrollment of 1,500 and 280 faculty and staff. The college has a work program
for its students, which has created a wide range of facilities on the campus including a
farm, feed mill, sale barn, post office, chapel, power plant, firehouse, restaurant, motel,
and a new conference center. During the tourist season, approximately a thousand
visitors a day visit the college. It hosts the NAIA Division II National Basketball
Tournament in March, which draws over 10,000 during the week. Each June, it
sponsors the Honor America event for the Fourth of July, which draws over 2,000. The
Ralph Foster Museum is also located at the college, which draws thousands of visitors
each week.

Table 2-20: Schools in Taney County
School Facility Address Staff Enrollment
Public Schools
Bradleyville R-I 16474 N. State Hwy 125 35 239
Bradleyville High 16474 N. State Hwy 125 18 156
Bradleyville Elementary 16474 N. State Hwy 125 17 83
Branson R-IV 400 Cedar Ridge Dr 343 4,470
Branson High 935 Buchanan Blvd 96 1,377
Branson Jr. High 308 Cedar Ridge Drive 50 677
Branson Elementary Schools 197 2,489
Branson Primary 402 Cedar Ridge Dr.
Branson Elementary East 308 Cedar Ridge Dr.
Branson Intermediate 766 Buchanan Rd.
Branson Elementary West 396 Cedar Ridge Dr.
Forsyth R-III 178 Panther St. 108 1,213
Forsyth High 178 Panther St. 36 396
Forsyth Middle 178 Panther St. 37 393
Forsyth Elementary 178 Panther St. 35 424

July 2012 2-36
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-20: Schools in Taney County
School Facility Address Staff Enrollment
Hollister R-V 1798 State Hwy BB 209 1,477
Hollister High 2112 State Hwy BB 44 489
Hollister Middle 1798 State Hwy BB 35 293
Hollister Elementary 1794 State Hwy BB 48 404
Early Childhood Center 1792 State Hwy BB 50 195
Kirbyville R-VI 6225 State Hwy 76 E 39 321
Kirbyville Middle 6225 State Hwy 76 E 21 184
Kirbyville Elementary 4278 State Hwy 76 18 137
Mark Twain R-VIII 37707 US Hwy 160
Mark Twain Elementary 37707 US Hwy 160 8 59
Taneyville R-II 302 Myrtle St.
Taneyville Elementary 302 Myrtle St. 22 200
Private Schools
Riverview Bible Baptist Christian 13901 US Hwy 160
School
New Life Academy P.O. Box 380
*Occupants include students and staff.
Source: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

July 2012 2-37
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-9: Taney County School Districts

TANEY
SCHOOCOL~~STRICT
TYMISSOURI
MAP

Spokane
Galena

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July 2012 2-38
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Ozarks Technical College

Ozarks Technical College (OTC) was founded in 1990 and operates primarily in
Springfield, MO at the 40 acre main campus. As of 2012, fall enrollment reached over
15,000 students and continues to grow. To keep up with this growth OTC, has recently
opened a temporary facility in the Meadows Shopping Center at 4440 Gretna Road, in
Branson, MO. However, a new facility, OTC Table Rock Campus, is being constructed
on State Highway 165, approximately one-half mile southwest of the College of the
Ozarks campus. OTC purchased a total of 8.25 acres located between Highways 65
and 165, including the empty restaurant, in December of 2010. In addition to the
purchased land, the City of Hollister donated a contiguous .83 acres, bringing the total
land now owned by the College to 9.08 acres. Completion of the facility as depicted
below is expected by fall of 2013, at which point the temporary facility will be closed.
This new facility is estimated to cost around eight million dollars, will be fully insured, and
includes one building with two anticipated safe rooms. The building itself is
approximately 53,560 square feet.

Figure 2-10: Artist Rendering of Planned OTC Table Rock Campus

July 2012 2-39
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Child Care Centers

Child care centers in Taney County are listed in the following table. The table includes
only licensed and license-exempt child care centers. A general location listing of
licensed family home care centers is also provided. In all probability, child care is also
provided in many private residences in the county that have not been licensed by the
State.

Table 2-21: Licensed and License Exempt Child Care Centers in Taney County*
Name Address City Telephone
1st General Baptist Church & 5th and College Branson 417-334-7124
Learning
First Baptist Learning Center 400 S Sunshine Branson 417-336-2139
Frances Rittenhouse Learning
Center 212 Hwy. T Branson 417-334-0586
Head Start: Branson 829 S Falls Ave. Branson 417-332-0003
Lambs for Life Learning Center 2193 State Highway F Branson 417-561-2098
Little Ones Learning Center 414 Buchanan Rd. Branson 417-334-5628
Our Shepherd’s Child Care Center 221 Malone St. Branson 417-332-1922
Presbyterian Preschool 420 W Main St. Branson 417-334-3468
Prime Time: Branson 402 Cedar Ridge Rd. Branson 417-336-1887
Prime Time: Branson East 396 Cedar Ridge Rd. Branson 417-332-1909
Tree House Day Care 862 Lost Tree Dr. Branson 417-334-7315
Prime Time: Forsyth 178 Panther St. Forsyth 417-332-1909
Head Start: Hollister 178 Jessica St. Hollister 417-334-7515
Prime Time: Hollister 1794 State Hwy BB Hollister 417-335-4607
Head Start: Kissee Mills 415 Staake Spur Kissee Mills 417-546-4635
College of the Ozarks Child 1 Opportunity Drive Point 417-334-6411
Development Center Lookout
Mark Twain Preschool 37707 US Highway 160 Reuter 417-785-4323
Source: Child Care Resource and Referral, Springfield, MO.
* Child care centers in churches are license exempt.

The number of licensed family home care centers in Taney County and general
geographic location are listed below. Site specific location information is not disclosed
here for security purposes.

 Branson 6
 Forsyth 4
 Hollister 2
 Taneyville 1

July 2012 2-40
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Residential Care Facilities

Residential care facilities serving special needs adults and seniors in Taney County are
located in Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, and Walnut Shade. Two facilities provide adult
day care. The DCO Senior Focus ADC of Taney County, located at 1533 E. State
Highway 76 in Branson, is a free-standing adult day care facility with a capacity of 20.
The Forsyth Care Center provides adult day care in addition to its main operation as a
skilled nursing facility.

Table 2-22: Residential Care Facilities in Taney County
Licensed
Facility Address Telephone
Beds
Skilled Nursing Facility
Golden Living Center 996 W. Highway 248, Branson 417-334-6431 100
Forsyth Care Center 477 Coy Blvd., Forsyth 417-546-6337 120
Point Lookout Nursing and 11103 Historic Highway 165, 417-334-4105 130
Rehab Hollister
Residential Care Facility II
Culpepper Place at Branson 5351 Gretna Rd., Branson 417-334-3336 104
Meadows
Life Enhancement Village of 421 Oakridge Rd., Walnut Shade 417-561-5395 18
Branson
Residential Care Facility I
Summerhouse 2163 Round Mountain Rd 417-561-4544 7
Walnut Shade
Lakeside Mountain Manor 238 Harmony Heights, Forsyth 417-546-5595 40
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Senior Centers

Two senior centers are located in Taney County. These facilities provide a wide range
of services to the senior population, including caregiver assistance, congregate meals,
enrichment classes, health screenings, and home delivered meals.

Table 2-23: Senior Centers in Taney County
Senior Center Address Telephone
Branson Senior Center 201 Compton Drive 417-335-4801
Branson
Forsyth Senior Friendship Center 13879 US Hwy 160 N 417-546-6100
Forsyth

Commercial/Recreation Centers

The greatest concentrations of commercial activities in Taney County are in the
downtown areas of Branson, Forsyth and Hollister and along the highways through
these communities, including Highway 76, Highway 248 and Shepherd of the Hills
Expressway in Branson, Highway 65 in Hollister and Highway 160 through Forsyth.
These commercial clusters include retail and service establishments, hotels, resorts,
shopping centers, theatres and other recreation and entertainment establishments. In

July 2012 2-41
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

2006, a new mixed use shopping, entertainment and residential development opened
along the Taneycomo waterfront in Branson. Branson Landing has become a highly
dense commercial center.

Taney County offers numerous entertainment and recreation activities, such as caves,
family entertainment centers, historical properties, lake cruises, miniature golf courses,
movie theatres, museums, theme parks, tours, water rides, and several live
entertainment shows. The tourism industry in the county draws millions of visitors each
year. The busiest months are June, July, August, October and November.

There are over 40 theatres in Branson with a total of 56,797 seats. The Grand Palace is
one of the largest theatres with 4,000 seats. Both the Tri-Lakes Center and the Welks
Center have about 2,700 seats apiece. The Shoji Tabuchi Theatre holds about 2,500
people. Remington Theatre holds 2,600 people, while the Ray Steven’s seats about
2,200. Many of the smaller theatres hold about 900 people.

From Taney County, visitors can also access three major lakes: Table Rock Lake, Lake
Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals Lake. Recreation opportunities include hiking, sightseeing,
water sports, hunting and fishing, camping, and picnicking.

Major Employers

Industries and businesses in Taney County that employ 50 or more persons are listed in
Table 2-24. The two largest employers in Taney County are located in Branson. These
are Skaggs Community Health Center with 549 employees and Herschend Family
Entertainment with approximately 675 employees located at four different tourist
attractions in the Branson area.

Table 2-24: Major Employers
Number of
Company Name City Employees
127 Inc Branson 250
Bass Pro Shops Branson 300
Best Buy Branson 125
Big Cedar Lodge Ridgedale 400
Big Cedar Wilderness Club Ridgedale 300
Branson Variety Theater Branson 100
Cantina Laredo Branson 120
College Of The Ozarks Point Lookout 239
Country Mart Branson 200
Country Mart Forsyth 200
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Branson 150
Days Inn Branson 120
Devil's Pool Restaurant At Big
Cedar Ridgedale 500
Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Branson 250
Fall Creek Resort Branson 100
Falls Village Branson 100
Grand Country Market Branson 200

July 2012 2-42
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-24: Major Employers
Number of
Company Name City Employees
Grand Country Music Hall Branson 100
Hilton-Promenade Hotel Branson 180
Holiday Hills Resort & Golf Club Branson 115
Home Depot Branson 120
Jubilee Foods Branson 100
K-Kountry-Branson Branson 200
Kandakuk Kamps Branson 2500
Keeter Center Point Lookout 200
Kohl's Department Store Branson 130
Kriter Tracks LLC Branson 100
Lodge Of The Ozarks Branson 130
Lowe's Home Improvement Hollister 130
Marriott's Willow Ridge Lodge Branson 200
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant Branson 120
Outback Steak & Oyster Bar Branson 150
Ozark Mountain Bank Branson 75
Pointe Lookout Hollister 120
Radisson Branson 165
Red Lobster Branson 140
Shepherd Of The Hills Outdoor Branson 200
Shorty Small's Branson 100
Skaggs Community Health Ctr Branson 549
Stormy Point Village Branson 100
Summerwinds Resort Svc LLC Branson 400
Surrey Inn Branson 1000
Table Rock Asphalt Co Branson 130
Table Rock Asphalt Co Branson 100
Target Branson 100
Target Branson 160
Target Forsyth 160
Tom Boyce Excavating Inc Branson 100
Track Family Fun Parks Branson 200
Wal-mart Branson 235
WELK Resort Branson 160
WELK Resort Hotel Branson Branson 160
Westgate Branson Woods Branson 250
White River Valley Electric Branson 130
White Water Branson 200
Wyndham-Branson Meadows Branson 220

July 2012 2-43
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Figure 2-11: Taney County Vulnerable Facilities

TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
VULNERABLE FACILITIES

Sen~ter
11 in = 5,4HjeeL...,

•• College of the Ozar1o:s
Regulated Air Facilities

MarjorEmpCO'fm

• ~rsi'lg Homes

•Ill
A.dtlltDaycare
Hospital

Pdice~ations

Fife Stations

•. O'llktCare
SehOOIS

• Major Employers

Sinkhole Area

100-YearFIOodplaln
Incorporated Areas

July 2012 2-44
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Flood Plain Management/Wetlands

Wetlands

Wetlands are defined as “areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground
water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal
circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in
saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and
similar areas."” (U.S. EPA, Section 404). Wetlands are not a primary natural feature in
Taney County. Wetland habitats that existed in the White River floodplain were
inundated with the impoundment of Table Rock Lake. However, wetland habitat does
exist along streams and their tributaries and in low-lying areas in the county. In general,
there are areas of associated forested and emergent wetland habitat along Bull Creek,
Bear Creek, Beaver Creek, Roark Creek and Swan Creek (Burns & McDonnell, 1995, p.
3-15).

National Flood Insurance Program

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in response to
the rising cost of taxpayer funded disaster relief for flood victims and the increasing
amount of damage caused by floods. The NFIP is self-supporting for the average
historical loss year, which means that operating expenses and flood insurance claims
are not paid for by the taxpayer, but through premiums collected for flood insurance
policies. Taney County and the communities of Branson, Bull Creek, Hollister, and
Rockaway Beach participate in the NFIP. These jurisdictions have adopted floodplain
management regulations as a requirement for participation in the NFIP.

Table 2-25: National Flood Insurance Program Participation
NFIP Date of Entry Current Effective
Community
Participation (Emergency or Regular) Map
Taney County Yes 04/01/2004 (r) 03/15/2012
Branson Yes 10/26/1976 (r) 03/15/2012
Bull Creek Yes 09/30/1997 (r) 03/15/2012
Forsyth Yes 09/29/2006 03/15/2012
Hollister Yes 03/18/1985 (r) 03/15/2012
Kirbyville No - -
Merriam Woods Yes 09/26/2006 (r) 03/15/2012
Rockaway Beach Yes 03/01/2000 (r) 03/15/2012
Taneyville No - -
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Insurance Administration.

Table 2-26: Taney County Flood Insurance Policies
Table 2-26 notes the flood Jurisdiction Policies in-force
insurance policies in force in Taney County 206
Taney County. Of the 573 policies (Unincorporated)
currently in-force, nearly half are Branson 266
for properties located in the City of Hollister 31
Branson. Rockaway Beach 55
Bull Creek 15
Total 573
Source: http://bsa.nfipstat.com/reports/1011.htm

July 2012 2-45
Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Environmental Concerns

A primary environmental concern for Taney County is protection of its surface water
resources. Taney County’s economy is heavily dependent on not only its live
performance entertainment industries, but also on its water-based recreation industries.
Lake Taneycomo and Table Rock Lake in particular are nationally known for fishing and
the environments provided for other outdoor recreation activities. Several actions have
already been taken by the county and its municipalities to address degradation of water
quality, including installation of phosphorus removal systems at wastewater treatment
plants, development of regional wastewater treatment facilities and expansion of
wastewater collection systems into urbanizing areas of the county.

Maintenance of groundwater quality is also a significant concern. The county’s geologic
structure and soils characteristics significantly impact the use of septic tanks for
wastewater disposal. It is relatively easy for surface contaminants as well as materials
from failing septic systems to enter the groundwater with little filtration. Groundwater
and surface water quality is a concern for human health as well as the animal husbandry
industry which contributes to the economy in eastern Taney County.

Water quality in the White River Basin is an economic and quality of life concern for
Missouri, Arkansas, and numerous local governments throughout the region, as well as
area businesses and residents. Numerous local governments, state agencies, private
citizens, business organizations and educational research institutions in Missouri and
Arkansas are already collaborating or engaging in discussion on strategies to maintain
and improve water quality in the tri-lakes. Any natural hazard event which significantly
impacts surface water quality in Taney County would have adverse effects beyond the
borders of the county.

Hazardous Materials Sites

Records of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources indicate seven hazardous
waste generators located in Taney County. Five of these waste generators are located
in Branson and two are located in Hollister. All facilities are small quantity waste
generators with the exception of one large quantity waste generator in Branson. The
specific locations of these facilities are not provided here for security reasons.

Endangered Species

There are forty-five sensitive species listed on the Missouri Department of Conservation
Heritage Program for Taney County. The sensitive species range from Critically
Imperiled (< 5 occurrences) to Vulnerable (21 to 1000 occurrences). Three of these
sensitive species, the Indiana Bat, the Gray Bat, and the Tumbling Creek Cavesnail, are
designated as endangered by the federal government. Three more of these species are
designated as endangered by the state government: the Bachman’s Sparrow,
Swainsons’s Warbler, and the Plains Spotted Skunk.

July 2012 2-46
 Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-27: Threatened and Endangered Species in Taney County
Common Name Scientific Name State Federal
Gray Bat Myotis sodalis Endangered Endangered
Indiana Bat Myotis grisescens Endangered Endangered
Tumbling Creek Cavesnail Antrobia culveri Endangered Endangered
Bachman’s Sparrow Aimophila aestivalis Endangered
Swainsons's Warbler Limnothlypis swainsonii Endangered
Plains Spotted Skunk Spilogale putorius interrupta Endangered
Source: Missouri Dept of Conservation. Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information System, Natural Heritage
Database. http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/heritage-program/results/county/Taney

Historic Properties and Archaeological Sites

There are 593 recorded archaeological sites in Taney County. Most of these sites are
privately owned and are not identified to protect the physical location of the sites. Six
properties in Taney County are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These
include:

 The Bonniebrook Homestead is located off of U.S. Highway 65 near Walnut
Shade. It was added in 1997 and is privately owned. Its area of significance is in
Literature and Art. The periods of significance are 1875-1899, 1900-1924, and
1925-1949. Its historic function was Domestic and Funerary, and its current
function is Funerary and Landscape.

 The Downing Street Historic District is located at Downing Street, Hollister. It
was added in 1978, and is owned privately, by local government, and Federal.
Its area of significance is in Community Planning and Development, Commerce,
and Architecture. The period of significance is 1900-1924. Its historic and
current functions are Commerce/Trade, Government, and Religion.

 The John Ross House is located at Missouri Highway 76, Branson. It was added
in 1983 and is privately owned. Its area of significance is Industry, Literature,
Architecture, and Social History. The periods of significance are 1875-1899 and
1900-1924. Its historic function was Domestic and its current function is
Recreation and Culture.

 The Sammy Lane Resort Historic District is located at 320 E. Main Street,
Branson. It was added in 2003 and is privately owned. Its area of significance is
Commerce, Architecture, and Social History. Its period of significance is 1925-
1949. Its historic and current functions are Domestic, Recreation, and Culture.

 The Swan Creek Bridge is located north of Forsyth. It was added in 1983 and is
owned by the local government. Its area of significance is Architecture. The
periods of significance are 1900-1924 and 1925-1949. Its historic and current
functions are Transportation.

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Ralph Foster Museum

The Ralph Foster Museum is located on the campus of the College of the Ozarks.
Established by the president of the school in the 1920s, the museum has gradually
increased in size and exhibit volume. It is now primarily focused on collecting and
preserving items connected to the Ozarks region. It contains 40,000 square feet of
exhibits including antiques, weapons, dolls, etc. from the Ozarks and around the world,
as well as 20,000 square feet used for offices, storage, and a research library.

Community Plans

Taney County Master Plan: Taney County adopted an updated Master Plan in
December 1999. The Plan focuses on several elements that provide an overview of the
characteristics and conditions of Taney County - its people, natural resources, economy,
housing, public infrastructure, transportation and land development. Overall, the goals,
objectives and recommendations set forth within these elements focus on protecting and
maintaining the quality of the natural environment that is critical to the county’s economic
future, while recognizing private property rights.

Taney County Development Guidance Code: Adopted by the Taney County
Commission in November 1984, the purpose of these codes is to manage the growth
and development of the unincorporated areas of Taney County so as to achieve the
objectives authorized by law according to RSMo 64.815, RSMo 64.825, and RSMo
64.850. The Development Guide Code is a performance-based zoning and subdivision
regulation; the Code is reviewed on an annual basis and updated as determined
necessary. The most recent update was in May 2012.

Taney County Emergency Operations Plan: The Taney County Emergency
Operations Plan (EOP) establishes the organizations and procedures to enable Taney
County and its municipalities to “save lives, minimize injuries, protect property, preserve
functional civil governments and maintain economic activities essential to Taney
County’s survival and recovery from natural, technological, terrorism and war-related
disasters” (Taney County EOP). The Plan establishes functional lines for operation and
also identifies line of succession for continuity of government during a disaster.

Taney County Wastewater Master Plan (April 1999): The Taney County Wastewater
Master Plan, developed for the Taney County Regional Sewer District, addresses the
current and projected wastewater treatment needs in sixteen of the twenty-one
watersheds in Taney County, excluding the watershed areas within the cities of Branson,
Hollister, and Forsyth.

Community Health Assessment for Taney County (2008): The purpose of the 2008
assessment process was to provide a report to the community regarding progress that
has been made on previously identified priorities and to review current trends that may
require action to protect the health of the public. The previous health assessment, in
2005, identified three priority areas that were presented to the community to increase
awareness and stimulate public health efforts. The priority areas focused on tobacco
use, obesity and family/domestic violence. From these priorities, community meetings
and groups met and early progress toward addressing these issues was observed.

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP): The STIP is the Missouri Department
of Transportation’s plan outline for transportation system improvements programmed for
a five year period. Programmed improvements in the 2011-2015 relevant to Taney
County include various pavement improvements on Rte. 76, at the Rte. 65/Rte. 160
interchange, and on the ramps at interchanges with Rtes. 106, F, Bee Creek Road, 248
and 76. There will be a replacement of interchange ramps at Rte. 248 (Shepherd of the
Hills Expressway/ Branson Landing Blvd. as well as bridge improvements over Bull
Shoals Lake.

Community Plans: Several of Taney County’s incorporated communities have adopted
comprehensive plans or master plans as guides for the future growth and development
of their respective communities. The largest community with a comprehensive plan is
Branson. As of March 2012, they are in the final review stage for their 2030
Comprehensive Plan. Forsyth also has a Comprehensive Plan that was adopted
January 2003 and updated for 2010/2011. This plan is used as a guide and as a legal
basis in making land use and zoning decisions. Rockaway Beach adopted a 2010
Comprehensive Plan in November. The purpose of the plan is to provide a policy guide
for the growth and future development of the city. Hollister adopted their most recent
Comprehensive Plan in 2005.

Building and Fire Codes

Table 2-28 lists building codes, fire codes and other codes adopted by municipalities
within Taney County. The fire codes adopted by the Western Taney County Fire
Protection District, the 2006 International Fire Prevention Code (IFC) for commercial
buildings, are used within the unincorporated areas within the District’s jurisdiction as
well as some of the municipalities. The Central Taney County Fire Protection District
also use the 2006 International Fire Prevention Codes for commercial building
construction within its service area which is unincorporated areas only.

Table 2-28: Adopted Codes in Taney County
Building Fire Mechanical Plumbing Other
Community
Code Code Code Code Codes
Branson 2009 2009 IFC 2009 IMC 2009 IPC 2009 NEC
IBC/IRC 2009 IFGC
2009 IPMC
IEEC
IECC
IEBC
ICCEC
Bull Creek -- 2006 IFC -- -- --
Forsyth 2006 2006 IFC 2006 IMC 2006 IPC 2006 NIEC
IBC/IRC 2006 IFGC
2006 ICC
Hollister 2012 2012 IFC 2012 IMC 2012 IPC 2011 NEC
IBC/IRC 2012 IFGC
2012 IPMC
Kirbyville -- 2006 IFC -- -- --
Merriam Woods 2003 IBC 2006 IFC -- -- 2003 IRC--1 & 2
Family Dwellings
Rockaway Beach 2008 IBC 2008 NFC 2008 IMC 2008 IPC
Taneyville -- -- -- -- --

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-28: Adopted Codes in Taney County
Building Fire Mechanical Plumbing Other
Community
Code Code Code Code Codes

Codes:
IBC International Building Code IFGC International Fuel Gas Code
ICC Electric Code IMC International Mechanical Code
ICCEC International Code Council Administrative IPC International Plumbing Code
Provisions
IEBC International Existing Building Code IPMC International Property Maintenance Code
IECC International Energy Conservation Code IRC International Residential Code
IFC International Fire Prevention Code NEC National Electric Code
ICC/ANSI A117.1 Handicap Accessibility

CTCFPD Central Taney County Fire Protection District 2000 IFC (Commercial Buildings only)
WTCFPD Western Taney County Fire Protection District 1999 BOCA National Fire Prevention Code
(Commercial Buildings only)

Community Partnerships

Several community partnerships bring together the public sector, private sector and the
citizens of Taney County. Although each of these partnerships has a specific mission
and focus, all organizations engage in programs and activities supportive of quality of life
and enhancement of the built and natural environment.

Taney County Business Development Partnership: The organization’s goals are to
retain existing businesses, help small businesses and startups, workforce development,
market the county and attract new businesses. Its primary stated focus is on non-
tourism-related industries.

Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership: Communities and Chambers of Commerce
in Taney County are members of the Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership, an
organization of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, which focuses on activities
to promote economic development opportunities and job creation in the region.

Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG): Taney County and several
communities are also members of the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments and
the Council’s economic development district as designated by the U.S. Economic
Development Administration. SMCOG’s mission is to provide a forum for local
governments to discuss issues of regional concern and to provide services in community
development and planning to its membership.

Upper White River Basin Foundation: This foundation works with many different
public and private organizations in Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas to
reduce pollution on the Upper White River and therefore improve the water quality of
Beaver, Table Rock, Taneycomo and Bull Shoals Lakes. Some of the activities include
water quality monitoring in the watershed, identifying the most effective on-site
wastewater treatment systems for the Ozarks, assisting willing communities to find the
resources to design and install appropriate centralized wastewater treatment systems in
order to eliminate standard septic tanks, and promoting programs to eliminate nutrient
rich agricultural run-off (http://www.whiteriverbasin.org/).

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Friends of Lake Taneycomo: This group of citizens and some private companies in
the Branson Area is a watch dog group that addresses environmental issues that affect
Lake Taneycomo.

Downtown Branson Main Street Association: This association sponsors six annual
festivals in the historic business district and hosts two annual parades.

Significant Cultural/Social Issues

Taney County has historically been a rural county with a culture based on individualism
and limited government control. The growth of the area’s tourism industry and the rapid
in-migration of population from outside of the region and the State have brought
increased economic prosperity to Taney County. However, growth has changed the
urban and rural landscape and brought substantial challenges to the county and its
municipalities to meet the infrastructure and public services needs of the resident and
tourist population. Preserving and protecting the quality of the natural environment,
particularly the quality of the water reservoirs, is also a significant social and economic
issue for the county. Balancing the interests of the various stakeholders and private
investment with public interests and investments in Taney County is essential to Taney
County’s on-going effort to maintain quality of life and ensure sustainable economic
growth.

Public Awareness

An initial meeting on the hazard mitigation planning process was held with stakeholders
in Taney County in December 2002. Representatives from the county and incorporated
communities were invited to this meeting to learn about the benefits of developing
hazard mitigation plans, the planning process, and SEMA’s intent to contract with the
Southwest Missouri Council of Governments to develop the hazard mitigation plan for
Taney County. This information was further distributed to community officials through
individual meetings and to the public through presentations at meetings of the governing
bodies in the various communities. Notices of public hearing to obtain public input on
the Plan were published in local newspapers in Taney County, and information on the
planning process and draft elements of the Plan were posted on SMCOG’s website for
public view and comment.

Media Relations

Several broadcast media serve the Taney County area. Television media routinely
broadcast weather reports and warnings with detailed information on cities and counties
at risk as well as news segments including information on actions to reduce risks to life
and property. Weather reports and warnings are also broadcast from several radio
stations in the area. Media resources that provide news and weather coverage in Taney
County include:

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 Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Table 2-29: Media Resources Serving Taney County
Media Address Telephone Fax
Newspapers
Branson Daily News PO Box 1900, Branson, MO 65615 417-334-3161 417-334-4299
Springfield News-Leader 651 Boonville, Springfield, MO 65806 417-836-1100 417-837-1381
Taney County Times P.O. Box 220, Forsyth, MO 65653 417-334-2285 417-334-4789
Television
KDEB 27 2650 E. Division, Spfld, MO 65801 417-862-6397 417-866-6397
KOLR 10
KSPR 33 1359 St. Louis, Springfield, MO 65801 417-831-1333 417-831-9358
KWMB (WB31) 118 State Drive, Hollister, MO 65672 417-336-0031 417-336-3199
KYTV 3 999 W. Sunshine, Spfld, MO 65808 417-268-3000 417-268-3364
Radio
KADI 99.5 FM 5431 W. Sunshine, Spfld, MO 65619 417-831-0995 417-831-4026
KHOZ 102.9 FM 752 S. Hwy 165, Branson, MO 65616 417-334-6750 417-334-6756
KLFC 88.1 FM 205 W. Atlantic, Branson, MO 65616 417-334-5532 417-335-2437
KOMC 1220 AM, 1220 Courtney, Branson, MO 65616 417-334-1200 417-334-7141
100.1 FM
KRZK 106.3 FM
KTTS 94.7 FM 2330 W. Grand, Springfield MO 65802 417-865-6614 417-866-8537
KSPW 96.5 FM
KSGS 104.1 FM
KTOZ 95.5 FM PO Box 3273, Springfield MO 65808 417-890-5555 417-890-5050
KTXR 101.3 FM PO Box 3925, Springfield MO 65808 417-862-5600 417-869-7576
KOSP 105.1 FM 319-B. E. Battlefield, Spfld, MO 65807 417-886-5677 417-886-2155
KOZO 89.7 FM Hollister, MO 65672 417-339-3388

City/Village Profiles

The following list provides a summary profile of the characteristics of the incorporated
communities in Taney County.

Branson
Total Population - 2010 10,520
Classification City-fourth class
Leadership Mayor/City Administrator/Board of Aldermen
Median household income, 1999 $31,997
Total housing units 3,455
Housing unit, median year built 1983
Median gross rent $510
Median owner-occupied housing value $111,800
Master plan - land use plan only Yes
Zoning regulations Yes
Building regulations Yes
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Branson (Continued)
Stormwater regulations Yes
Floodplain management regulations Yes
Water service City of Branson
Sewer service City of Branson
Electric service Empire District Electric Company
Law enforcement City of Branson
Fire protection service City of Branson
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance District
Solid waste disposal American Disposal

Bull Creek
Total Population - 2010 603
Classification Village
Leadership Chair/Board of Trustees
Median household income, 1999 $21,667
Total housing units 97
Housing unit, median year built 1988
Median gross rent $442
Median owner-occupied housing value $27,100
Master plan No
Zoning regulations No
Building regulations No
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes
Stormwater regulations No
Floodplain management regulations Yes
Water service Village of Bull Creek
Sewer service Rockaway Regional Sewer District
Electric service White River Valley Electric Cooperative
Law enforcement Taney County Sheriff's Department
Fire protection service Western Taney County Fire Protection District
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance
Solid waste disposal American Disposal

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Forsyth
Total Population - 2010 2,255
Classification City-fourth Class
Leadership Mayor/Board of Aldermen
Median household income, 1999 $31,801
Total housing units 913
Housing unit, median year built 1977
Median gross rent $436
Median owner-occupied housing value $90,200
Master plan Yes
Zoning regulations Yes
Building regulations Yes
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes
Stormwater regulations Yes
Floodplain management regulations Yes
Water service City of Forsyth
Sewer service City of Forsyth
Electric service Empire District Electric Company
Law enforcement City of Forsyth
Fire protection service Forsyth Fire Department
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance
Solid waste disposal American Disposal

Hollister
Total Population - 2010 4,426
Classification City-fourth class
Leadership Mayor/City Administrator/Board of Aldermen
Median household income, 1999 $24,535
Total housing units 1,958
Housing unit, median year built 1986
Median gross rent $456
Median owner-occupied housing value $66,700
Master plan Yes
Zoning regulations Yes
Building regulations Yes
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes
Stormwater regulations Yes
Floodplain management regulations Yes

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Hollister (Continued)
Water service City of Hollister
Sewer service City of Hollister
Electric service Empire District Electric Company
Law enforcement City of Hollister
Fire protection service Western Taney County Fire Protection District 2
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance Service
Solid waste disposal American Disposal

Kirbyville
Total Population-2010 207
Classification Village
Leadership Chair/Board of Trustees
Median household income, 1999 N/A
Total housing units N/A
Housing unit, median year built N/A
Median gross rent N/A
Median owner-occupied housing value N/A
Master plan No
Zoning regulations Yes (adopted Taney County’s regulations)
Building regulations No
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes (adopted Taney County’s regulations)
Stormwater regulations No
Floodplain management regulations No
Water service Taney County Water (part), Private Wells (part)
Sewer service Private Septic Tanks
Electric service White River Valley Electric Cooperative and
Empire District Electric Company
Law enforcement Taney County Sheriff’s Department
Fire protection service Western and Central Taney County Fire Protection
Districts
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance District
Solid waste disposal American Disposal
* Kirbyville incorporated in 2002

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Merriam Woods
Total Population - 2010 1,761
Classification Village
Leadership Chair/Board of Trustees
Median household income, 1999 $24,132
Total housing units 600
Housing unit, median year built 1980
Median gross rent $462
Median owner-occupied housing value $42,200
Master plan No
Zoning regulations Yes
Building regulations Yes
Including earthquake design Yes
Subdivision regulations No
Stormwater regulations No
Floodplain management regulations No
Water service Village of Merriam Woods
Sewer service Village of Merriam Woods
Electric service White River Valley Electric Cooperative
Law enforcement Village of Merriam Woods
Fire protection service Western Taney County Fire Protection District
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance District
Solid waste disposal Private haulers

Rockaway Beach
Total Population - 2010 841
Classification City-fourth Class
Leadership Mayor/Board of Aldermen
Median household income, 1999 $33,359
Total housing units 356
Housing unit, median year built 1977
Median gross rent $442
Median owner-occupied housing value $69,200
Master plan Yes
Zoning regulations Yes
Building regulations Yes
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes
Stormwater regulations Yes
Floodplain management regulations Yes

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Taney County Natural Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 2: Community Profile

Rockaway Beach (Continued)
Water service City of Rockaway Beach
Sewer service City of Rockaway Beach
Electric service White River Valley Electric Cooperative
Law enforcement City of Rockaway Beach
Fire protection service Western Taney County Fire Protection District
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance Service
Solid waste disposal American Disposal

Taneyville
Total Population - 2010 396
Classification Village
Leadership Chair/Board of Trustees
Median household income, 1999 $23,500
Total housing units 160
Housing unit, median year built 1972
Median gross rent $380
Median owner-occupied housing value $50,000
Master plan No
Zoning regulations Yes
Building regulations No
Including earthquake design No
Subdivision regulations Yes
Stormwater regulations No
Floodplain management regulations No
Water service Village of Taneyville
Sewer service Village of Taneyville
Electric service White River Valley Electric Cooperative
Law enforcement Taney County Sheriff’s Department
Fire protection service Central Taney County Fire Protection District
Ambulance service Taney County Ambulance District
Solid waste disposal Village of Taneyville

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Part 3: Risk Assessment
Natural Hazard Identification/Elimination Process

A variety of sources were researched for data on natural hazards. Primary sources
included FEMA, SEMA, National Climate Data Center (NCDC) and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the
Center for Earthquake Research and Information (CERI) were major sources for
earthquake information. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Dam
Safety Division provided information concerning dams and the Missouri Department of
Conservation (MDC) provided most of the wildfire information relevant to Taney County.
Other information sources included county officials; existing city, county, regional and
state plans; and information from local officials and residents.

Hazards relevant to Taney County were identified by researching the above noted data
sources for incidences of natural hazards occurring in the county. In addition, hazards
that are regional in scope and that have or may affect Taney County are also included in
this risk assessment.

Community-wide Hazard Profile and Hazards Identified

Historical records indicate Taney County and its communities have been adversely
affected by natural hazards. In September 1993, flash flooding along Bull Creek
severely damaged or destroyed 150 mobile homes in the Rockaway Beach (Bull Creek)
area, resulting in $5 million in property damage. Taney County has also experienced
loss from tornado and thunderstorm winds. In May 1957, an F2 tornado caused
$250,000 in property damages over a 15-mile long path through the county and in March
1996 thunderstorm winds damaged two boat docks and destroyed 20 boats on Lake
Taneycomo in Rockaway Beach, resulting in $200,000 in property loss.

A natural disaster can result in other hazards, such as interruption of water supply,
power supply, business operation and transportation. These emergencies can trigger
civil disturbance, a loss of records through computer failure, and health hazards resulting
from water contamination and unsanitary conditions. Economic loss can affect the area
in several ways, depending on the duration of interruption. A natural disaster may also
trigger another natural hazard event. The following diagram provides an example of
cascading natural hazards while Table 3-1 notes cascading hazards that may result from
individual natural hazard events.

Heat Wave Drought

Wildfire

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-1: Cascading Hazards Resulting from Natural Disasters
Computer
Water Transpor
Power and Failure Health and/or
Natural Communications
Supply Business Civil
and/or
tation
Environmental
Disaster Interrup Interruption Unrest Interrupti
Interruption Loss of Hazards
tion on
Records
Tornado/Storm X X X X X X X
Flood X X X X X X
Severe Winter X X X X X X
Drought X X
Heat Wave X X X
Earthquake X X X X X X X
Dam Failure X X X X X X X
Wildfire X X X X X
Sinkholes X X X
Public Health X X X

Hazards not Included and Reasons for Elimination

Landslides occur in all 50 states; however, this hazard is not likely to have much of a
notable impact on Taney County due to soil profile, geology, and climate factors. Also,
the risk of coastal storms, hurricanes, tsunamis, avalanche, and volcanic activity does
not exist in Taney County due to the county’s location, geologic structure and soil profile.
Additionally, Levee failure was omitted due to the fact that there are no levees in Taney
County. Therefore, these hazards are not included in this risk assessment for Taney
County.

Hazard Event Probability and Severity Ratings

The Hazard event severity and probability ratings assess various risks facing Taney
County and local jurisdictions in order to evaluate and rank them. It estimates the
probability of occurrence and the severity of consequences for each hazard and
provides a method of comparison. The evaluation ratings are utilized in the Missouri
Hazard Analysis prepared by SEMA dated November of 2011. The State Hazard
Analysis involves many interrelated variables (toxicity, demographics, topography, etc.),
and is to be used by state and local officials in planning and prioritizing allocation of
resources.

The hazards presented here are those that have been experienced by, or pose a
potential threat to, the people of Taney County. However, local or isolated problems that
constitute potential disasters within the county should not be overlooked. Although the
hazard event ratings are general statements, further definition was added to these
values to develop the multi-jurisdictional risk assessment presented later in this chapter.
The following definitions explain the ratings for each hazard:

Probability: The likelihood that the hazard will occur.

Low: The hazard has little or no chance of happening.

Moderate: The hazard has a reasonable probability of occurring.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

High The probability is considered sufficiently high to assume that the event
will occur.

Severity: The deaths, injuries, or damages (property or environmental) that could
result from the hazard.

Low: Few or minor damages or injuries are likely.

Moderate: Injuries to personnel and damages to property and the environment are
expected.

High: Deaths, major injuries and damages will likely occur.

Hazard Profile Format

The Hazard Profiles contained in this Risk Assessment are designed to better inform the
reader of the natural hazards that affect the planning area, where those hazards occur,
what damages those hazards might cause, past occurrences of the hazard, and the
probability of the hazard occurring again. The Hazard Identification section contains a
description of the hazard and a basic overview of how the event occurs in nature. The
location section describes where the hazard is likely to occur, including a discussion of
floodplains or Wildland-Urban Interface. The Extent section describes what damages
officials can expect from each hazard as well as a discussion of the impact of the hazard
on the planning area. The Past Occurrences section provides a discussion of recorded
occurrences of the hazard as well as information on the severity of the events and the
damages cause to property and life. The Probability section includes estimated
probabilities for each hazard based on the frequency of past occurrences.

Tornado
Hazard Identification

A tornado is air. It is a violently rotating column of air associated with the updraft of a
severe thunderstorm. The visible appearance can vary greatly depending in its strength
and what it is passing over. Many tornadoes often appear as a funnel shaped cloud that
extends to the ground, although the cloud does not have to touch the ground. Many
tornadoes are often identified by rotating debris under the funnel cloud. If there is no
rotating debris under a funnel cloud, there is no tornado yet. There has to be rotating
debris occurring to be called a tornado. Weather conditions which are conducive to
tornadoes also often produce a wide range of other dangerous storm activities, including
severe thunderstorms, downbursts, straight line winds, lightning, hail, and heavy rains.

Essentially, tornadoes are a rotating column of air with two components of winds. The
first is the horizontal, rotational winds that can measure up to 300 miles an hour, and the
second is an uplifting current. It is the force of the horizontal wind that is responsible for
the majority of damage that occurs with tornadoes. Although tornadoes have been
documented in all 50 states, most of them occur in the central United States. The
unique geography of the central United States allows for the development of
thunderstorms that can spawn tornadoes. Warm, moist air flowing north from the Gulf of

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Mexico collides with cold, dry air flowing south from Canada. This collision forces the
warm, moist air to rise, often in concentrated currents called updrafts. These updrafts
can become showers
and thunderstorms.

Most tornadoes spawn from a thunderstorm know as a supercell. A supercell
thunderstorm has a very strong updraft. The unique thing about the supercell is that the
updraft also rotates in a counter clockwise direction. The rotation is caused by the
change of the wind in speed and direction with height, which is called vertical wind
shear. On days that supercells can form, the surface wind is typically from the south, but
as you go up in height, the wind changes to a more southwest or westerly direction and
it increases in speed. It is this particular change of the wind in speed and direction with
height that generates the rotating updraft in a supercell. While the supercell is
responsible for most tornadoes in the United States, other types of thunderstorms also
occasionally produce tornadoes. Multi-cell line storms, multi-cell cluster storms can also
produce tornadoes, but it is not as common. (SEMA, Missouri Hazard Analysis 2011, p.
A-1).

Location

There are no likely locations for future occurrences as the threat from this hazard is
county-wide.

Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

The extent of damage caused by a tornado depends of the strength of the storm.
Possible damage can vary from branches broken off of trees and sign boards being
damaged to well built structures being blown off of their foundations and completely
leveled and automobiles being thrown through the air for over 100 meters. The scale
used to measure the strength and destructive power of tornadoes is the Enhanced Fujita
Scale (EF-Scale), which is a revised version of the original Fujita Scale developed by Dr.
Theodore Fujita in 1971.

The EF-Scale was developed by a group of engineers and meteorologists in 2007 to
better depict the actual winds speeds and their degree of damage. The EF-Scale found
that wind speeds necessary to cause a certain level of damage were slower than the
original F-Scale. The F-Scale and the EF-scale rank tornadoes according to wind speed
and the severity of damage caused (A Recommendation for an Enhanced Fujita Scale
EF-Scale). These estimates vary with the height of the structure and exposure. Table 3-
2 notes the F-Scale, Enhanced F-Scale, and examples of typical damage.

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 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-2: Fujita and Enhanced Fujita Tornado Damage Scale
OPERATIONAL EF
FUJITA SCALE SCALE
Fastest 3
F 1/4- Second 3 Second
Numbe mile Gust EF Gust
r (mph) (mph) Number (mph) Typical Damage
Light damage - Some damage to chimneys;
branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted
0 40-72 45-78 0 65-85 trees pushed over; sign boards damaged.
Moderate damage - Peels surface off roofs;
mobile homes pushed off foundations or
1 73-112 79-117 1 86-110 overturned; moving autos blown off roads.
Considerable damage - Roofs torn off
frame houses; mobile homes demolished;
boxcars overturned; large trees snapped or
113- uprooted; light-object missiles generated;
2 157 118-161 2 111-135 cars lifted off ground.
Severe damage - Roofs and some walls
torn off well-constructed houses; trains
158- overturned; most trees in forest uprooted;
3 207 162-209 3 136-165 heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown.
Devastating damage - Well-constructed
houses leveled; structures with weak
208- foundations blown away some distance; cars
4 260 210-261 4 166-200 thrown and large missiles generated.
Incredible damage - Strong frame houses
leveled off foundations and swept away;
automobile-sized missiles fly through the air
261- in excess of 100 meters (109 yds.); trees
5 318 262-317 5 Over 200 debarked; incredible phenomena will occur.
Source: Enhanced Fujita Tornado Damage Scale

Every tornado is a potential killer, and many are capable of great destruction. Tornadoes
can topple buildings, roll mobile homes, uproot trees, hurl people and animals through
the air for hundreds of yards, and fill the air with lethal, windblown debris. Sticks, glass,
roofing material, and lawn furniture all become deadly missiles when driven by tornado
winds. In 1975, a Mississippi tornado carried a home freezer for more than a mile. Once,
a tornado in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, carried a motel sign 30 miles and dropped it in
Arkansas. Tornadoes do their destructive work through the combined action of their
strong rotary winds and the impact of windblown debris. In the simplest case, the force
of the tornado’s winds pushes the windward wall of a building inward. The roof is lifted
up, and the other walls fall outward. Until recently, this damage pattern led to the
incorrect belief that the structure had exploded as a result of the atmospheric pressure
drop associated with the tornado (SEMA, Missouri Hazard Analysis 2011, p. A-1).

The EF-scale takes an additional step by determining the tornado’s three-second gusts
by estimating the point of damage based on a judgment of the amount of damage, or the
degrees of damage (DOD), to 28 different types of structures, or damage indicators (DI),
listed in table 3-3.

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Table 3-3: Enhanced Fujita Damage Indicators and Degrees of Damage
Degrees Degrees
DI of DI of
Damage Indicator (DI) Damage Indicator (DI)
No. Damage No. Damage
(DOD) (DOD)
Elementary School [Single
Small Barns or Farm
1 8 15 Story; Interior or Exterior 10
Outbuildings (SBO)
Hallways] (ES)
One- or Two-Family Junior or Senior High School
2 10 16 11
Residences (FR12) (JHSH)
Manufactured Home – Single Low-Rise Building [1–4 Stories]
3 9 17 7
Wide (MHSW) (LRB)
Manufactured Home – Double Mid-Rise Building [5–20
4 12 18 10
Wide (MHDW) Stories] (MRB)
Apartments, Condos,
High-Rise Building [More than
5 Townhouses [3 stories or less] 6 19 10
20 Stories] (HRB)
(ACT)
Institutional Building [Hospital,
6 Motel (M) 10 20 Government or University 11
Building] (IB)
Masonry Apartment or Motel
7 Building (MAM) 7 21 Metal Building System (MBS) 8

Small Retail Building [Fast
8 8 22 Service Station Canopy (SSC) 6
Food Restaurants] (SRB)
Small Professional Building Warehouse Building [Tilt-up
9 [Doctor’s Office, Branch 9 23 Walls or Heavy-Timber 7
Banks] (SPB) Construction] (WHB)
Electrical Transmission Lines
10 Strip Mall (SM) 9 24 6
(ETL)

11 Large Shopping Mall (LSM) 9 25 Free-Standing Towers (FST) 3

Free-Standing Light Poles,
Large, Isolated Retail Building
12 7 26 Luminary Poles, Flag Poles 3
[K-Mart, Wal-Mart] (LIRB)
(FSP)

13 Automobile Showroom (ASR) 8 27 Trees: Hardwood (TH) 5
Automobile Service Building
14 8 28 Trees: Softwood (TS) 5
(ASB)
Source: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/weweb/Pubs/fscale/EFScale.pdf

Figure 3-1 shows Wind Zones in the United States. All of Missouri is in Zone IV, and is
therefore at risk for 250 mph winds. This wind speed is an important factor in the
construction of tornado safe rooms.

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Figure 3-1: Wind Zones in the United States

Source: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/tsfs02_wind_zones.shtm

Past Occurrences

During the 62 year period from 1950 through 2012, the National Climatic Data Center’s
(NCDC) Storm Event database records 10 tornadoes affecting Taney County. The most
costly event occurred on February 29, 2012. An EF-2 tornado hit the city of Branson.
Damage occurred along the Hwy 76 Strip as well as the Branson Landing. Although,
damages occurred in surrounding communities and unincorporated parts of the county,
initial reports from the City of Branson included 37 properties that suffered major
damages or were destroyed and another 41 that suffered minor to major damage.
Hardest hit was the Hilton Branson Convention Center in the Branson Landing which
had an estimated $1,000,000 to $1.5 million in damage. This event produced no
fatalities, however, there were 33 injured countywide.

Another costly event occurred on May 8, 2009 when an F-1 tornado touched down in
rural sections of the county and caused damage to a home and numerous outbuildings
on Essray Road. Intense tree damage also occurred as the tornado tracked into
southeastern Christian County (NCDC). The tornadoes caused approximately $500,000
in property damage. Another major event occurred on May 21, 1957 when an F2 tornado

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touched down, carving a 15-mile long path through the county. Although no specific
damages are reported in the NCDC database, this event resulted in $250,000 in
property losses. Table 3-4 contains information for recorded tornado events in the NCDC
storm events database.

Table 3-4: Tornado History – Taney County, 1950-2012
Property
Location Date Magnitude Death Injury
Damage
Taney 05/21/1957 F2 0 0 $250,000
Taney 05/18/1960 F0 0 0 $300
Taney 04/05/1965 F1 0 0 $25,000
Forsyth 04/27/1994 F0 0 0 $500
Forsyth 06/08/1995 F0 0 0 $0
Branson 03/11/2006 F0 0 0 $0
Branson
Memorial 01/08/2008 F0 0 0 $75,000
Airport
Swan 05/08/2009 F1 0 0 $500,000
Branson
Memorial 04/24/2010 F0 0 0 $20,000
Airport
Day 5/22/2011 F1 0 0 $50,000
Branson 2/29/2012 F2 0 0 $1,500,000*
Total 0 0 $2,420,800
Source: NCDC: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms

Probability and Severity Rating

According to the NCDC storm event records there have been 11 tornado events from
1954 to 2012. Based on the past occurrence of tornadoes in Taney County, there is an
19 percent probability that the county will experience a tornado in any given year. Table
3-5 lists the probability of future tornado occurrence by F-Scale rating. Of the 11
recorded tornado events for Taney County, 6 are classified as F0 magnitude. The
probability of occurrence for an F0 magnitude is roughly once every ten years and one in
twenty years for an F1 magnitude tornado. Table 3-5 contains the risk percentages for
probability of occurrence of a tornado event by F-Scale magnitude for Taney County.

The potential severity of effects from tornadoes will continue to be high. Taney County
will continue to experience injuries, property damages and possible fatalities from
tornadoes. However, technological advances will facilitate earlier warnings than
previously available. This, combined with a vigorous public education program and
improved construction techniques, provides the potential for significant reductions
deaths and injuries, as well as reduced property damage. See Table 3-6 for severity
rating of tornado in Taney County by F-Scale.

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Table 3-5: Probability of Future Tornado Occurrence by F-Scale
F Scale # of Events % Risk Probability Rating
F0 6 10.3 High
F1 3 5.2 Moderate
F2 1 3.4 Moderate
F3 0 0.0 Low
F4 0 0.0 Low
F5 0 0.0 Low

Table 3-6: Severity Rating of Tornado for Taney County by F-Scale
F0 Low
F1 Moderate
F2 High
F3 High
F4 High
F5 High

Severe Thunderstorm (high wind, hail, lightning)
Hazard Identification

Tornadoes are usually associated with severe thunderstorms, which by themselves
possess destructive potential. Such storms most often occur in the spring and summer,
during the afternoon and evenings, but can occur at any time. In addition to tornadoes,
other hazards associated with thunderstorms include the following (Heavy rain and flash
flooding are discussed in the flood section):

• High winds
• Hail
• Lightning

The National Weather Service (NWS) considers a thunderstorm severe if it produces hail
at least three-quarters of an inch in diameter, has winds of 58 miles per hour or higher,
or produces a tornado. Thunderstorms may occur singly, in clusters or in lines. Some of
the most severe weather occurs when a single thunderstorm affects one location for an
extended time. Lightning is a major threat during a thunderstorm. Lightning is very
unpredictable, which increases the risk to individuals and property. In the United States,
75 to 100 people are killed each year by lightning, although most lightning victims do
survive (National Disaster Education Coalition, Talking About Disaster, p. TS-2).

High Winds
A severe thunderstorm can produce winds that can cause as much damage as a weak
tornado and these winds can be life threatening. The damaging winds of thunderstorms
include downbursts, microbursts, and straight-line winds. Downbursts are localized
currents of air blasting down from a thunderstorm, which induce an outward burst of
damaging wind on or near the ground. Microbursts are minimized downbursts covering
an area of less than 2.5 miles across. They include a strong wind shear (a rapid change
in the direction of wind over a short distance) near the surface. Microbursts may or may
not include precipitation and can produce winds at speeds of more than 150 miles per

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hour. Damaging straight-line winds are high winds across a wide area that can reach
speeds of 140 miles per hour. (State of Missouri Hazard Analysis, November 2010)

The National Weather Service in Springfield, Mo uses the following scale, as
represented in Table 3-7, to warn residents and emergency managers of thunderstorm
wind risk.

Table 3-7: National Weather Service Thunderstorm Wind Gust Legend
Risk Level Definition
None No thunderstorm wind risk
Limited Risk for sub-severe wind gusts (less than 58 mph)
Or
Probability of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater) within 25 miles of a point:
Less than 15%
Elevated Probability of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater) within 25 miles of a point:
Equal to or greater than 15%
Significant Probability of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater) within 25 miles of a point:
Equal to or greater than 45%
Extreme Probability of severe wind gusts (58 mph or greater) within 25 miles of a point:
Equal to or greater than 60%
Source: National Weather Service

Hail
Hail is precipitation in the form of lumps of ice that form in some storms. They are
usually round and typically vary from .25 inch to 3 inches in diameter. Hail generally
forms in thunderstorms between strong currents of rising air called updrafts and the
current of air descending toward the ground or downdraft. Hail develops when updrafts
carry water droplets to a height where freezing occurs. Ice particles grow in size, finally
becoming too heavy to be supported by the updraft and fall to the ground. Large
hailstones indicate strong updrafts in storms. Large hailstones fall at speeds faster than
100 mph and account for significant damage (Denver Regional Natural Hazard
Mitigation Plan, 2010 Draft).

Lightning
Lightning is caused when turbulent air inside a thundercloud creates positively and
negatively charged areas, with the negative charges clustering at the bottom of the
cloud. Because opposite charges attract each other, positive charges on the ground
collect beneath the cloud and follow it. When the positive and negative charges finally
meet, they complete an electrical circuit, and create lightning. Not all lightning forms in
the negatively charged area low in the thunderstorm cloud. Some lightning originates in
the cirrus anvil at the top of the thunderstorm. This area carries a large positive charge.
Lightning from this area is called positive lightning.

Location

All of Taney County is at equal risk for severe thunderstorm hazards.
Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

Thunderstorms frequently occur in the planning area and residents need to be prepared
for the types of damages that each aspect of the hazard can cause.

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High Winds
The Beaufort Wind Scale was developed in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort of England to
better understand the effects of high winds not only over land but over water. Table 3-8
depicts the Beaufort Wind Scale. The scale classes wind speeds in knots or mph by 12
descriptions of conditions ranging from calm to hurricane. Descriptions of observable
effects to land and water are defined for each class allowing for estimating wind speeds
across a surface.

Table 3-8: Beaufort Wind Scale
Force Wind WMO Appearance of Wind Effects
(MPH) Classification On the Water On Land
0 Less Calm Sea surface smooth and mirror- Calm, smoke rises vertically
than 1 like
1 1-3 Light Air Scaly ripples, no foam crests Smoke drift indicates wind
direction, still wind vanes
2 4-7 Light Breeze Small wavelets, crests glassy, Wind felt on face, leaves rustle,
no breaking vanes begin to move
3 8-12 Gentle Breeze Large wavelets, crests begin to Leaves and small twigs
break, scattered whitecaps constantly moving, light flags
extended
4 13-18 Moderate Small waves 1-4 ft. becoming Dust, leaves, and loose paper
Breeze longer, numerous whitecaps lifted, small tree branches move
5 19-24 Fresh Breeze Moderate waves 4-8 ft taking Small trees in leaf begin to
longer form, many whitecaps, sway
some spray
6 25-31 Strong Breeze Larger waves 8-13 ft, whitecaps Larger tree branches moving,
common, more spray whistling in wires
7 32-38 Near Gale Sea heaps up, waves 13-20 ft, Whole trees moving, resistance
white foam streaks off breakers felt walking against wind
8 39-46 Gale Moderately high (13-20 ft) Whole trees in motion,
waves of greater length, edges resistance felt walking against
of crests begin to break into wind
spindrift, foam blown in streaks
9 47-54 Strong Gale High waves (20 ft), sea begins Slight structural damage
to roll, dense streaks of foam, occurs, slate blows off roofs
spray may reduce visibility
10 55-63 Storm Very high waves (20-30 ft) with Seldom experienced on land,
overhanging crests, sea white trees broken or uprooted,
with densely blown foam, heavy "considerable structural
rolling, lowered visibility damage"
11 64-72 Violent Storm Exceptionally high (30-45 ft) Extensive widespread
waves, foam patches cover damage
sea, visibility more reduced

12 73+ Hurricane Air filled with foam, waves over Extreme destruction,
45 ft, sea completely white with devastation
driving spray, visibility greatly
reduced
Source: http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/beaufort.html, http://www.orcadian.co.uk/weather/beaufort.htm

Hail
The Tornado and Storm Research Organization (TORRO) has developed a scale to
better understand the effects of various size hail stones. The TORRO Hail Storm

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Intensity Scale in Table 3-9 is similar to the Beaufort scale and classifies hail events by
intensity category, diameter and typical damage impacts.

Table 3-9:TORRO Hailstorm Intensity Scale
Intensity Typical Hail
*
Category Diameter (mm) Typical Damage Impacts
H0 Hard Hail 5 No damage
H1 Potentially 5-15 Slight general damage to plants, crops
Damaging
H2 Significant 10-20 Significant damage to fruit, crops, vegetation
H3 Severe 20-30 Severe damage to fruit and crops, damage to
glass and plastic structures, paint and wood
scored
H4 Severe 25-40 Widespread glass damage, vehicle bodywork
damage
H5 Destructive 30-50 Wholesale destruction of glass, damage to tiled
roofs, significant risk of injuries
H6 Destructive 40-60 Bodywork of grounded aircraft dented, brick
walls pitted
H7 Destructive 50-75 Severe roof damage, risk of serious injuries
H8 Destructive 60-90 (Severest recorded in the British Isles) Severe
damage to aircraft bodywork
H9 Super 75-100 Extensive structural damage. Risk of severe or
Hailstorms even fatal injuries to persons caught in the open
H10 Super >100 Extensive structural damage. Risk of severe or
Hailstorms even fatal injuries to persons caught in the open
*Approximate range (typical maximum size in bold), since other factors (e.g. number and density of
hailstones, hail fall speed and surface wind speeds) affect severity.

Lightning
Positive lightning is particularly dangerous for several reasons. It frequently strikes away
from the rain core, either ahead or behind the thunderstorm. It can strike as far as five or
10 miles from the storm, in areas that most people do not consider to be a lightning risk
area. The other problem with positive lightning is it typically has a longer duration, so
fires are more easily ignited. Positive lightning usually carries a high peak electrical
current, which increases the lightning risk to an individual. (Denver Regional Natural
Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2010 Draft) Nationwide, lightning kills 75 to 100 people each
year. During the period of 1992 through 1996, seven people died in Missouri as a result
of lightning strikes, compared to two deaths from tornadoes during the same period
(State of Missouri Hazard Analysis, November 2010)

Past Occurrence

High Winds
There are 103 thunderstorm wind events recorded in the NCDC database. Of those 103
events, thirty have resulted in a total of $1,263,000 in damages. The most severe
thunderstorm event occurred on May 08, 2009. Fifty to eighty mph gusts downed
thousands of trees across much of Taney County. The northern half of the county
experienced the greatest impact with structural damage occurring to a modular home in
Forsyth after a large tree fel on the structure. Several power poles across the northern

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half of the county were downed and resulted in power outages (NCDC). On March 24,
1996 in Rockaway Beach, thunderstorm winds damaged 2 boat docks and destroyed 20
boats, resulting $200,000 in damages. Two events caused property damage totals of
$100,000 each. The first event occurred on April 15, 2001 three miles west of Branson
when 70-90 mph winds damaged trees and two homes under construction, destroyed a
boat dock, and knocked down power lines. The number of trees and power lines
knocked down in southeast Taney County were so numerous that county roads were
completely blocked for two days. The loss of power left 3,000 people without electricity
for more than 18 hours. A woman was injured when the shed she occupied blew over.
The second event occurred on July 4, 2004. Straight line winds damaged several
structures in Branson and numerous trees and power lines were downed in the county
Table 3-10 records those thunderstorm wind events that have resulted in damages.

TABLE 3-10: Thunderstorm Winds History – Taney County, 1955-2012
Location Date Death Injury Property Damage
Taney 08/17/1988 0 1 $0
Branson 09/13/1993 0 0 $50,000
Branson 04/11/1994 0 0 $50,000
Branson 06/08/1995 0 0 $3,000
Rockaway Beach 03/24/1996 0 0 $200,000
Chestnutridge 04/28/1996 0 0 $2,000
Branson 07/22/1996 0 0 $5,000
Rockaway Beach 07/09/1997 0 0 $1,000
Hollister 03/27/1998 0 0 $90,000
Forsyth 07/20/1998 0 0 $5,000
Forsyth 07/22/1998 0 0 $1,000
Branson 04/03/1999 0 0 $30,000
Ridgedale 05/17/1999 0 0 $3,000
Taneyville 08/11/1999 0 2 $50,000
Protem 01/03/2000 0 0 $5,000
Branson 03/26/2000 0 0 $4,000
Kirbyville 07/28/2000 0 0 $10,000
Branson 04/15/2001 0 1 $100,000
Taney 07/04/2004 0 0 $100,000
Ridgedale 06/06/2005 0 0 $7,000
Forsyth 11/12/2005 0 0 $5,000
Protem 06/22/2006 0 0 $5,000
Rockaway Beach 06/01/2007 0 0 $15,000
Branson 6/01/2007 0 0 $2,000
Day 05/08/2009 0 0 $500,000
Point Lookout
04/24/2010 0 0 $1,000
Apartments
Branson 08/08/2011 0 0 $10,000
Forsyth 08/08/2011 0 0 $2,000
Forsyth 08/20/2011 0 0 $1,000
Hollister 08/20/2011 0 0 $1,000
Totals 0 4 $1,263,000
Source: NCDC, http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms

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Hail
The NCDC Storm Event database includes records of 128 hail events in Taney County
since 1962, five of which reported property damages totaling $555,100. The most
damaging hail event occurred on March 12, 2006 when baseball size hail damaged roofs
and vehicles in Branson. Damage from this event totaled $500,000. On May 9, 1998,
golf ball sized hail fell in an area from Table Rock State Park northeast to the Highway
76 strip in Branson, damaging numerous vehicles. This event resulted in $50,000 in
property damages. The second recorded hail event, resulting in $100 in damages,
occurred in the Forsyth area on April 4, 1994. In addition to these five events, a
thunderstorm wind event five miles north of Taneyville on August 11, 1999 resulted in
slight injuries to two people hit by golf ball size hail as they ran for shelter from the storm.
Table 3-11 lists those events that resulted in damage or injuries.

Table 3-11: Hail History – Taney County, 1955-2012
Location Date Death Injury Property Damage
Forsyth 04/15/1994 0 0 $100
Branson 05/09/1998 0 0 $50,000
Taneyville 08/11/1999 0 2 N/A
Branson 03/12/2006 0 0 $500,000
Ridgedale 10/01/2009 0 0 $5,000
Totals 0 2 $555,100
Source: NCDC, http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-
win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms

Lightning
There are 2 lightning events recorded in the NCDC Storm Events database. On July 4,
2001, a lightning strike caused a house fire northwest of Branson, near the old Shepherd
of the Hills Lumber Company. The fire caused $25,000 in damage. The most recent
event occurred on November 14, 2005. Lightning struck a cupola on the roof of a four
story condominium in Branson. The fire only caused damage to the cupola and did not
spread to the building. Table 3-12 lists the two lightning strikes that have been recorded
for Taney County.

Table 3-12: Lightning History – Taney County, 1993-2012
Location Date Death Injury Property Damage
Branson 07/04/2001 0 0 $25,000
Branson 11/14/2005 0 0 $5,000
Totals 0 0 $30,000
Source: NCDC, http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms

Probability and Severity Rating

The county is highly likely to experience high wind, hail and lightning due to the
frequency of severe thunderstorms in the spring and summer months in Taney County.
The probability of occurrence for high wind, hail and lightning is extremely High and
likely to occur several times in the same year. Table 3-13 notes the probable risk of
hazards due to severe thunderstorm events.

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Table 3-13: High Wind, Hail and Lightning Probability of Occurrence
Event # of Events % Risk Probability Rating
High Winds 103 180.7 High
Hail 128 224.6 High
Lightning 2 10.5 Moderate
Source: NCDC: http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms
* Lightning events have occurred in Taney County but have not been tracked and recorded
in the NCDC database. The actual probable risk of future occurrence is considered High.

Severe thunderstorms losses are usually attributed to associated hazards of hail, winds,
lightning and heavy rains. The severity of high wind, hail and lightning is shown in Table
3-14.

Out of the 103 thunderstorm wind events, 30 have resulted in property damage and
injury. A damaging wind event has the probability of occurring in one out of every two
years in Taney County with average damages to property of $42,100. The severity of
thunderstorm winds will remain high for the county.

In terms of hail, of 128 recorded events only five occurrences have caused property
damage. The probability for damaging hail occurrences are approximately once every
eleven years with an average cost to property of $111,020. The severity of hail events in
the county is moderate.

There is no record of a damaging lightning event in the NCDC storm event data;
therefore, the severity rating from lightning damage is considered low.

Table 3-13: High Wind, Hail and Lightning Severity Ratings
Event Severity Level
High Winds High
Hail Moderate
Lightning Low

Flood (Riverine and Flash)
Hazard Identification

A flood is a partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas. Riverine flooding
is defined as the overflow of rivers, streams, drains, and lakes due to excessive rainfall,
rapid melting of snow and/or ice. There are several types of riverine floods including
headwater, backwater, interior drainage, and flash flooding. Flash flooding is the most
common type of flooding that has affected Taney County.

Flash flooding is characterized by rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from
any source. This type of flooding can occur within a few hours of a rain event, or after a
dam or levee failure, or following a sudden release of water held by an ice or debris jam.
Flash floods can catch people unprepared because they can develop in just a matter of
hours. Most flood-related deaths result from this type of flood event.

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The areas adjacent to rivers and stream banks that serve to carry excess floodwater
during rapid runoff are called floodplains. A floodplain is defined as the lowlands and
relatively flat areas adjoining rivers and streams. The term “base flood,” or 100-year
flood, refers to the area in the floodplain that is subject to a one percent or greater
chance of flooding in any given year, based on historical records. Floodplains are a vital
part of a larger entity called a basin which is defined as all the land drained by a river
and its branches (SEMA, Missouri Hazard Analysis 2011, p. B-1).

Location

Taney County has 3 lakes and 25 rivers/creeks. This equates to 141 miles of stream,
494 acres of stream, and 11,853 acres of lake (the acres denotes standing water).
There are several likely locations that can be affected by flooding,

The majority of incorporated jurisdictions within Taney County lie adjacent to Lake
Taneycomo. Specifically, Branson, Hollister, Kirbyville, Merriam Woods, and Rockaway
Beach are within the Lake Taneycomo watershed. Bull Creek is within the Lower Bull
Creek watershed. Bradleyville and Taneyville are both in the Big Creek watershed. The
Swan Creek watershed contains the City of Forsyth, as well as another portion of
Taneyville. Specifically, historical records show Branson, Rockaway Beach and Bull
Creek have been affected by flood events. Low lying areas throughout the rural areas of
the county are also at risk for flash flooding.

According to the data available on the NOAA website, many areas in Taney County are
prone to experience flooding. The following is a list of locations identified in the NOAA
event reports:

 Hwy F along Bull Creek
 Bull Creek in the Village of Bull Creek
 Hwy 176 and Hwy 160 near Rockaway Beach
 Honey Ln and Sundown Ln in Rockaway Beach
 Hwy 176 near Sundown Ln
 Hwy H north of Forsyth
 Middleton Rd near Taneyville and Bradleyville
 Hwy 125 north of Protem
 Hwy 176 and Molly Ln
 Hwy 160 east of Kissee Mills
 Old Cheese Plant Rd near Little Beaver Creek
 Hwy 76 in Bradleyville
 Hwy J northwest of Mincy
 Hwy K near Bull Shoals Lake
 Hwy H and Columbus Rd north of Forsyth
 Old Road in Hollister
 Hidden Valley Trailer Park in Hollister
 Kimberling Creek Rd
 Cedar Point Hill Rd
 Hwy 125 S of Hercules
 Shepard of the Hills Expressway near the charcoal plant in Branson
 Fall Creek Rd by the Thousand Creek Golf Course

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 Stockstill Park in Branson
 Sycamore Church Rd 5 miles northwest of Branson
 Airport Rd near Hwy 248

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-2: Taney County 100-Year Floodplain
TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
FLOOD MAP

11 in = 1 milesi

Major Highways
- SIMtH.gllwa~

- USH.gtrwtyt.
~.,Ar_

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that more than 216,000
households are within designated floodplains in Missouri. In addition, thousands of other
Missouri residents are at risk to the dangers of flash flooding from rapidly rising creeks
and tributaries, storm water runoff, and other similar flooding events. Nationwide, most
flood deaths are from flash floods, and nearly half of these fatalities are auto related,
according to the National Weather Service. Of the 49 deaths recorded during the floods
of 1993, 35 (71 percent) were from flash floods. In that same category, 20 deaths (77
percent) were related to motor vehicles caught in flash floods. Missouri’s river flooding
in 1993 claimed 14 lives, with 6 deaths (23 percent) attributed to motor vehicles.

Flash floods represent different forecast and detection challenges because they are not
always caused by meteorological phenomena. Flash floods result when favorable
meteorological and hydrological conditions exist together. Although heavy rainfall is
necessary, a given amount and duration of rainfall may or may not result in a flash flood.

 how much water runs off (as well as where it runs to),
 how strong the stream is flowing,
 how wide an area is getting rain,
 how hard and fast it is raining,
 how long it has been raining in a particular drainage basin,
 where the storm is located and how it fast or slow it is moving,
 how porous the soil is and how much water it already holds,
 the amount of vegetation covering the soil,
 how much surface is paved,
 whether there are storm drains or closely space buildings,
 general geography and slope of the land.

Inundation is not the only risk of flooding. Floods can damage property but six inches of
fast-moving water can knock you off your feet and water 24 inches deep can carry away
most automobiles. Flash floods can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings, and
obliterate bridges. Walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally are
accompanied by a deadly cargo of debris.(National Severe Storms Laboratory)

Urbanization further aggravates the flooding potential by increasing runoff two to six
times over what would occur on natural terrain. As land is converted from fields or
woodlands to urban uses, it loses its ability to absorb rainfall. During periods of urban
flooding, streets can become swift moving rivers, while basements and viaducts can
become death traps as they fill with water.

In order to warn residents about the many risks of flooding, the National Weather
Service has created the following watches and warnings:

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-14: Flood Related Watches and Warnings
Type Description
FLASH FLOOD or FLOOD Flash flooding or flooding is possible within the designated
WATCH watch area - be alert.
FLASH FLOOD or FLOOD Flash flooding or flooding has been reported or is imminent -
WARNING: take necessary precautions at once!
URBAN and SMALL STREAM Flooding of small streams, streets and low-lying areas, such as
ADVISORY railroad underpasses and urban storm drains is occurring.
FLASH FLOOD or FLOOD Follow-up information regarding a flash flood/flood event.
STATEMENT:

Past Occurrences

A total of 30 flood events are recorded by the NCDC for Taney County between
September 1993 and December 2004. The majority of these floods represent flash
flooding causing road closures and minimal property and crop damages in the county.
However, the NCDC records indicate fourteen events which caused damage in Taney
County. These events are listed in Table 3-10 and those more significant events for
which specific damages are known are discussed below.

On September 24 of 1993, a flash flood affected the Rockaway Beach area and
damaged or destroyed 150 mobile homes along Bull Creek, causing $5 million in
damages. Extensive flooding also occurred statewide in 1994. Taney County was
affected by flash flooding, but the NCDC database contains no specific information on
damages incurred in the county. Taney County was also impacted by flood events of
May 2002 that caused over $14 million in damages statewide. Flash flooding along
Roark Creek on May 7, 2002 moved a large trailer 300 feet downstream and more than
30 homes were evacuated in the Village of Bull Creek as the creek overflowed its banks.

The spring of 2008 was extremely wet. In mid-February, the upper White River Basin
received three and a half inches of rain in the overnight hours of February 16 into
February 17. A second round of rain, up to four inches, came through the area on March
3-4. The area received a third major round of storms and another five to six inches rain
on the 18th and 19th of March. In response to the large amounts of rain, the US Corps of
Engineers began releasing large amounts of water from Table Rock Dam, flooding the
downstream area. This band of showers resulted in $4 million in damages. Another band
of showers hit the county at the end of March. The Corps of Engineers were forced to
open the flood gates even wider and release a record 48,000 CFS into Lake
Taneycomo. As a result, even more flooding occurred along Lake Taneycomo and into
Bull Shoals Lake. Nearly $10 million in damage resulted from the release and the related
flooding during the end of March. A fifth band a rain struck the county on the 10th of April,
dropping three to four more inches of rain. The Corps of Engineers were still working to
lower lake levels and were force to increase the flow to 46,500 CFS. During the spring of
2008, Table Rock Lake crested at a record 933.25 feet, 18.25 feet over power pool. All
totaled an estimated $14.01 million in damaged occurred during the spring.

The spring of 2011 was another very wet spring. By the end of April, lake levels were
again very high. Then during the week of April 23, multiple bands of storms dropped
nearly a foot on the region. As a result, Table Rock Lake crested at 935.5 feet. Because

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

of the rapid rise of lake levels, the Corps of Engineers were forced to release a record
68,000 CFS from the dam. Like the spring of 2008, massive flooding occurred
downstream from Table Rock. Damages reach $10 million during the spring of 2011.

Table 3-15: Flood History – Taney County, 1993-2012
Property Crop
Location Date Type Death Injury Damage*
Damage*
Flash
Rockaway Beach 09/24/1993 0 0 $5,000,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Branson 11/13/1993 0 0 $50,000 $0
Flood
$63,300
$63,300
Central and River ($5,000,000
04/11/1994 0 0 ($5,000,000
Southern MO Flood 79
79 Counties)
Counties)
$5,900
$420,600
($200,000
Southwest MO 05/07/2002 Flood 0 0 ($14,300,000
34
34 Counties)
Counties)
$20,600
Southwest MO 05/12/2002 Flood 0 0 ($700,000 $0
34 Counties)
Flash
Branson 09/02/2005 0 0 $5,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Taney County 03/18/2008 0 0 $4,000,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Taney County 03/31/2008 0 0 $10,000,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Taney County 04/10/2008 0 0 $10,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Rockaway Beach 06/23/2008 0 0 $30,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Taney County 06/28/2008 0 0 $5,000,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Taney County 09/14/2008 0 0 $100,000 $0
Flood
Flash
Taney County 04/25/2011 0 0 $10,000,000 $0
Flood
Totals 0 0 $34,699,500 $69,200
Source: NCDC, http://www4.ncdc.noaa.gov/cgi-win/wwcgi.dll?wwevent~storms

* NCDC lists a total monetary value of damage caused in all affected counties, not for
individual counties. In order to find an individual county level total damage estimate for each
classification of winter weather events, a simple average was taken by dividing the total damage
for each type of weather event by the largest number of affected counties in a single event.

Flood events occur most frequently in Taney County in the months of April, May, and
June. Although flood events are less frequent during the rest of the year, there is the
possibility of occurrence year round as at least one event has been recorded in every
month except December, see Table 3-16.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-16: Flood Event by Month, 1993-2012
January 3 July 5
February 2 August 4
March 8 September 4
April 14 October 2
May 9 November 2
June 9 December 1
Source: NCDC Storm Events-Missouri

Table 3-17: Federal Disaster Declarations, Taney County Flood Events, 1993-2004
Date DR# Type of Assistance
April – June 2011 1980 Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
September 2008 1809 Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
June- August 2008 1773 Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
March- May 2008 1749 Individual Assistance
Public Assistance
March 2006 1631 Individual Assistance
May 2003 1463 Individual Assistance
May 2002 1412 Public Assistance
Summer and Fall 1993 995 Individual Assistance
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federally Declared Disasters by Calendar Year.
http://www.fema.gov/library/drcys.shtm
Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. Missouri Hazard Analysis.

Probability and Severity Ratings

The probability that Taney County will experience a riverine flood event in any given year
is 84% according to the NCDC storm event data. The probability of flash flood events is
nearly three times greater and indicates a high probability for multiple events in any
given year, see Table 3-17. Flood events have been a problem in Taney County in the
past and will likely continue to be a problem in the future. As communities in Taney
County grow, impermeable surfaces will increase the amount of runoff. Table 3-18
depicts the probable risk of occurrences for each type of flood event in the county.

Table 3-18: Probability of Riverine and Flash Flood
Events in Taney County
Flood
Events % Risk Probability Rating
Type
Riverine 16 84.2% High
Flash 44 231.6% High

The NCDC storm event data contain 14 records of damaging flood events for Taney
County equaling a 74% probability of a damaging event occurring in any given year.
Three of those events caused damage to many counties in the state of Missouri.
Monetary damages for those three events are a combined total of damages suffered in
affected counties. In order to calculate a reasonable, albeit flawed, estimate of damages
occurring in only Taney County, a simple average was calculated based on the number
of affected counties. Using those estimates along with the other totals provided in the

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NCDC database, a damaging flood event resulted in an average of $757,959 of property
damage and $4,897 of crop damage.

Table 3-19: Severity Rating for Riverine and Flash Flood
Events in Taney County
Flood Type Hazard Severity Rating
Riverine High
Flash High

National Flood Insurance Program Participation and Repetitive Losses

Taney County as well as Branson, Bull Creek, Forsyth, Hollister, Merriam Woods, and
Rockaway Beach belong to the National Flood Insurance Program. Forsyth and
Merriam Woods joined the NFIP in 2006. All communities current effective map date is
March 15, 2012 (see Part 2, Floodplain Management/Wetlands, page 2-42 for detailed
information on NFIP participation). Information on repetitive losses to the NFIP in Taney
County is listed in Appendix B. Figures 3-1 through 3-4 represent the 100-year
floodplain areas within Taney County.

Severe Winter Weather
(snow, ice, extreme cold)

Hazard Identification

Severe winter weather, including winter storm, heavy snow, ice storms and extreme
cold, can affect any area of Missouri. Severe weather, such as snow, ice storms and
extreme cold can cause injuries, deaths and property/crop damage in a variety of ways.
Winter storms are considered deceptive killers. This is because most deaths are
indirectly related to the storm. Causes of death range from traffic accidents due to
adverse driving conditions, to heart attacks caused by overexertion while shoveling snow
and other related activities. Hypothermia or frostbite may be considered the most direct
cause of death and injuries which can be attributed to winter storms and/or severe cold.
Economic costs are difficult to measure.

Winter Storm
A winter storm can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to blizzard conditions
with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. Some winter storms may be large
enough to affect several states, while others may affect only a single community. Many
winter storms are accompanied by low temperatures and heavy and/or blowing snow,
which can severely reduce visibility. Communications and power can be disrupted for
days, and even small accumulations of ice may cause extreme hazards to motorists and
pedestrians. A Winter Storm is a winter weather event containing a mixture of snow,
cold, wind, sleet and freezing rain. They can cause driving to be dangerous and can
cause power outages.

Heavy Snow
A heavy snow event contains large amount of just snowing falling over a period of time.
Large amounts of snow can cause travel to become dangerous and the sheer weight of
the snow can cause roofs and structures to collapse.

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Sleet/Ice/ Freezing Rain
There are varying kinds of frozen precipitation during winter storms. Sleet is raindrops
that freeze into ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet usually bounces when
hitting a surface and does not stick to objects; however, it can accumulate like snow and
cause a hazard to motorists. An ice storm occurs when freezing rain falls onto a surface
with a temperature below freezing; this causes it to freeze to surfaces, such as trees,
cars, and roads, forming a glaze of ice. Even small accumulations of ice can cause a
significant hazard. Heavy accumulations of ice can bring down trees, electric power
lines and poles, telephone lines and communications towers. Such power outages
create an increased risk of fire, as home occupants seek the use of alternative fuel
sources (wood, kerosene, etc. for heat, and fuel burning lanterns or candles for
emergency lighting). Crops, trees and livestock can be killed or injured due to deep
snow, ice or severe cold. Buildings and automobiles may be damaged from falling tree
limbs, power lines and poles, or collapse. Local governments, home and business
owners and power companies may be faced with spending millions of dollars for
restoration of services, debris removal, and repair.

Extreme Cold
In addition to severe winter weather such as snow and ice, Wind Chill factor can also be
dangerous for any community. Wind Chill is defined by National Weather Service as the
temperature it “feels like” outside and is based on the rate of heat loss from exposed
skin caused by the effects of wind and cold. As the wind increases, the body is cooled at
a faster rate causing the skin temperature to drop. Wind Chill does not impact inanimate
objects like car radiators and exposed water pipes, because these objects cannot cool
below the actual air temperature. Table 3-20 shows the risk levels for extreme cold
according to the National Weather Service in Springfield, MO.

Table 3-20: National Weather Service Extreme Cold Risk Legend
Risk Level Definition
None Minimum apparent temperature greater than or equal to 10 degrees F
Limited Minimum apparent temperature -9 to 9 deg. F
Elevated Minimum apparent temperature -10 to -24 deg. F
Significant Minimum apparent temperature -25 to -34 deg. F
Extreme Minimum apparent temperature less than or equal to -35 degrees F
Source: National Weather Service

Location

There are no likely locations for future occurrences of the severe winter weather hazards
of ice storms, heavy snow and extreme cold as the onset of winter storms are a regional
phenomenon and affect the entire county with little variability from place to place.

Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

All types of winter weather will affect Taney County. Although Taney County has
experienced several severe winter weather events that caused significant damages and
economic loss, the overall severity of events is limited. There has been no past loss of
life in Taney County. Primary roads are generally not closed for more than 24 hours.
Schools may close for several days, but are not critical to the day-to-day operations of
the county or municipalities. Most major business and government offices/services

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

essential for day to day life continue to function. Since severe winter weather typically
has not caused major disturbances in day to day life, future events statistically will not
either. Types of the different watches and warnings during severe winter weather are
listed below:

Winter Weather Advisory: Winter weather conditions are expected to cause
significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. If
caution is exercised, these situations should not become
life-threatening. Often the greatest hazard is to motorists.

Winter Storm Watch: Severe winter conditions, such as heavy snow and/or ice
are possible within the next day or two.

Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter conditions have begun or are about to
begin.

Blizzard Warning: Snow and strong winds will combine to produce a blinding
snow (near zero visibility), deep drifts and life threatening
wind chill.
Source: NWS http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/iln/winter/PSA4.htm

Prolonged exposure to Wind Chill conditions can cause frostbite or hypothermia for an
individual. Frostbite, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is an
injury to the body caused by freezing body tissue. The most susceptible parts of the
body are the extremities such as fingers, toes, ear lobes, or the tip of the nose
symptoms include a loss of feeling in the extremity and a white or pale appearance.
Medical attention is needed immediately for frostbite. The area should be SLOWLY re-
warmed. Figure 3-3 on the following page, shows possible wind and temperature
conditions and the real temperature effect on the skin due to the heat loss from exposed
skin. The chart includes three shaded areas of frostbite danger. Each shaded area
shows how long (30, 10 and 5 minutes) a person can be exposed before frostbite
develops.

Another possible condition of severe winter weather is Hypothermia. Hypothermia is
defined as an abnormally low body temperature (below 95 degrees Fahrenheit) by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Warning signs include uncontrollable
shivering, memory loss, disorientation, incoherence, slurred speech, drowsiness, and
apparent exhaustion. Medical attention is needed immediately. If it is not available, begin
warming the body SLOWLY. Due to the danger of Wind Chill conditions, The National
Weather Service will inform residents when Wind Chill conditions reach critical
thresholds. A Wind Chill Warning is issued when wind chill temperatures are life
threatening. A Wind Chill Advisory is issued when wind chill temperatures are potentially
hazardous.

Table 3-20 provides information about wind chill advisory and warning definitions. The
Excessive Cold Threat Level in Table 3-22 defines various levels of warnings of possible
wind chill or extreme temperatures effect on a given area (NWS).

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-21: Wind Chill Advisory and Warning Definitions
Wind Chill Advisory: Wind chills are expected to be between -20 and -34.
Wind Chill Warning: Wind chills are expected to be 35 degrees below zero or colder.

Source: NWS http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/iln/winter/PSA4.htm

Figure 3-3: National Weather Service Windchill Chart

Table 3-22: Excessive Cold Threat Level
Excessive Cold Threat Level Descriptions
Threat Level
Extreme "An Extreme Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold."
o
It is likely that wind chill values will drop to -35 F or below for 3 hours or
o
more. Or, lowest air temperature less than or equal to -20 F.
High "A High Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold."
o o
It is likely that wind chill values will drop to -28 F to -35 F for 3 hours or
o o
more. Or, lowest air temperature -15 to -20 F.
Moderate "A Moderate Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold."
o o
It is likely that wind chill values will drop to -20 F to -28 F or below for 3
o o
hours or more. Or, lowest air temperature -10 to -15 F.
Low "A Low Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold."
o o
It is likely that wind chill values will drop to -15 F to -20 F or below for 3
o o
hours or more. Or, lowest air temperature -5 to -10 F.
Very Low "A Very Low Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold."
o o
It is likely that that wind chill values will drop to -10 F to -15 F or below for
o
3 hours or more. Or, lowest air temperature zero to -5 F.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-22: Excessive Cold Threat Level
Excessive Cold Threat Level Descriptions
Threat Level
Non-Threatening "No Discernable Threat to Life and Property from Excessive Cold."
Cold season weather conditions are non-threatening.
Note: Cold season weather conditions become hazardous when the associated cold is
considered to be "excessive" according to local standards. Cold temperatures may support the
occurrence of a freeze, low wind chills, freezing/frozen precipitation, and/or frost.

Past Occurrences

The NCDC Storm Events database contains a total of 20 winter weather events
impacting Taney County. Table 3-23 contains a listing those winter weather events.
Table 3-24 is a detailed listing of events that resulted in damages. Narratives describing
the events can be found following the tables.

Table 3-23: Winter Storm History – Taney County, 1994-2011
# of Property Crop
Event Type Death Injury
Occurrences Damage Damage
Winter Storm 5 0 0 $84,800 $0
Heavy Snow 10 0 0 $180,300 $0
Ice Storm 3 0 0 $400,000 $0
Extreme Cold 2 0 0 $3,700 $3,100
Totals 20 0 0 $668,800
Source: NCDC. Storm Events Database. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/

Table 3-24: Severe Winter Weather History – Taney County, 1994-2011
Property Crop
Event Type Date Death Injury
Damage Damage
Winter Storm
$84,800
Southern Missouri 01/01/1999 0 0 ($2,800,000 0
33 counties)
Heavy Snow
$128,200
Southern Missouri 03/08/1994 0 0 ($5,000,000 0
39 counties)
$4,500
Southwest Missouri 01/18/1995 0 0 ($100,000 $0
22 counties)
$800
SW & Central MO 01/01/1996 0 0 ($10,000 0
13 counties)
$22,300
Central & Southern MO 01/08/1997 0 0 ($670,000 0
30 counties)
$11,300
03/13/1999 0 0 ($260,000 0
23 counties)
SW & SC MO
$13,200
Southern Missouri 12/12/2000 0 0 ($450,000 0
34 counties)
Ice

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-24: Severe Winter Weather History – Taney County, 1994-2011
Property Crop
Event Type Date Death Injury
Damage Damage
Winter Storm
Taney County 11/24/96 0 0 $400,000 0
Extreme Cold
$3,700 $3,100
($125,000 ($105,000
Southern Missouri 12/12/2000 0 0
34 counties) 34
counties)
Totals $668,800 $3,100
Source: NCDC. Storm Events Database, http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/

Winter Storm
Of the five winter storms, the most damaging event to affect the region and Taney County
occurred on January 1, 1999. This winter storm covered the larger region with freezing rain, sleet
and snow, causing $2.8 million in property damages. The event’s negative impact was mainly to
downed power lines and trees from ice accumulation. Several counties were left without power
and the more rural schools were closed for several days after the Christmas holiday. No deaths
or injuries were directly related to these winter storm events.

Ice Storm
Two ice storm occurrences in Taney County are recorded in the NCDC database. Of these, the
ice storm of November 24, 1996 caused substantial damages in the county ($400,000 in property
damages). This ice storm, the worst in 20 years, layered the ground with ice up to two inches
thick, downed power lines and trees, created dangerous driving conditions, and closed schools
and businesses in rural areas for up to a week.

Heavy Snow
The county has experienced 10 heavy snow events since 1994, six of which caused an
estimated $180,300 in damages. The three most damaging events are described below.
The most costly even occurred on March 8, 1994. A major winter storm dumped heavy
snow across much of southern Missouri. The city of Branson received 18 inches of
snow. Several boat docks in the Branson area collapsed and damaged several
houseboats. The damages total for this event was approximately $128,200. Another
costly event occurred on January 8, 1997 when 6 to 10 inches fell on Taney County.
Damages related to this event reached an estimated $22,300, mainly due to snow
removal. The third most costly event occurred on December 12, 2000. A mixture of
heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain fell on Taney County as a large storm moved across
the Missouri Ozarks. Damages reached an estimated $13,200.

Extreme Cold
Two extreme cold events occurred in recent years in Southwest Missouri counties, including
Taney County. One event beginning on December 12, 2000 and lasting until December 31,
2000, was described as having temperatures 10 to 20 degrees below normal. Snow conditions
and cold weather made it difficult for farmers to feed their animals, and several calves in
southwest Missouri died due to the stress of the cold. Total recorded loss to agriculture around
the region from this event was $105,000.

Probability and Severity Rating

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

While severe winter weather is more prevalent north of the Missouri River, it frequently
strikes all of Taney County during its seasonal pattern. No parts of the county are
exempt from this natural hazard. Rural areas may see the effects of severe winter
weather more than cities. For example, lower traffic volumes allow snow or ice to
accumulate on rural roads, making it difficult to plow. It is highly likely that Taney County
will experience a severe winter weather event in any year. The risk of individual severe
weather events is shown in Table 3-25.

Table 3-25: Probability of Severe Winter Weather Event Occurrence
# of
Event Type % Risk Probability Rating
Events
Winter Storm 5 27.7 High
Heavy Snow 10 55.6 High
Ice Storm 3 16.7 Moderate
Extreme Cold 2 11.1 Moderate

According to the Missouri Hazard Analysis, November 2010, snowstorms, ice storms,
and extreme cold can interact to cause many hazards. Only a few degrees may be the
difference between rain, ice, or snow. Duration and intensity of any of these events will
determine the overall impact of a particular event. Wind speed may be the difference
between a minor snow and a blizzard. These events cannot be prevented. Preparedness
for these events may be the greatest single factor to reduce loss of life, injury, and
property damage.

The Missouri Hazard Analysis states that areas south of the Missouri River have a low
probability of a snowstorm, ice storm, or extreme cold due to their lower average
snowfalls and temperatures. However, such events in these areas have a moderate
potential severity.

(The probability in the table is high but the narrative says low. Which do we want to
use?)

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Drought
Hazard Identification

Drought’s impact on society results from the interplay between a natural event (less
precipitation than expected resulting from natural climatic variability) and the demand
development places on groundwater reservoirs. A drought situation often is exacerbated
by development practices that decrease the percolation of surface water into
groundwater reservoirs. Recent droughts in both developing and developed countries
and resulting economic and environmental impacts underscore society’s vulnerability to
this hazard.

The dictionary defines drought as a period of prolonged dryness. The Missouri Drought
Response Plan distinguishes between five “categories” of drought, as follows:

 Agricultural Drought, defined by soil moisture deficiencies

 Hydrological Drought, defined by declining surface and groundwater supplies

 Meteorological Drought, defined by precipitation deficiencies

 Hydrological Drought & Land Use, defined as a meteorological drought in one
area that has hydrological impacts in another area

 Socioeconomic Drought, defined as drought that impacts supply and demand
of some economic commodity.

Each of these definitions relates the occurrence of drought to water shortfall in some
component of the hydrological cycle. Each affects patterns of water and land use, and
each refers to a repetitive climatic condition. In urban areas, drought can affect those
communities that depend on reservoirs for water, and decreased water levels due to
insufficient rain can lead to restricted water use. In agricultural areas, drought during the
planting and growing season can have a significant impact on yield.

Regardless of the specific definition, droughts are difficult to predict or forecast, both as
to when they will occur and how long they will last. According to Dr. Grant Darkow,
Department of Atmospheric Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, there is a
recognizable “upper air-flow pattern and simultaneous surface pattern associated with
abnormal dryness over Missouri.” When the upper air-flow pattern is typified by air
flowing in a broad arc over the central plains with higher speeds in southern Canada
than over the U.S., then the air over the southern plains will be “characterized by a weak
clockwise circulation.” Storm systems coming off the Pacific Ocean will cross the
extreme northwestern states and southern Canada, thus bypassing the midwestern
states. When this flow pattern persists, the result can be a prolonged period of drought
(Missouri Hazard Analysis, November 2010).

Location

There are no likely locations for future occurrences of drought as they are a regional
phenomenon and affect the entire county with little variability from place to place.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

Crops are the first to show the impact of drought. As drought increases, livestock water
supplies become scarce and, finally, deep wells begin to fail. When good water
becomes a scarce commodity and people must compete for the available supply, the
importance of drought severity and duration increases dramatically.

The most commonly used indicator of drought and drought severity is the Palmer
Drought Severity Index (PDSI), jointly published by NOAA and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. The PDSI measures the departure of water supply (in terms of precipitation
and stored soil moisture) from demand (the amount of water required to recharge soil
and keep rivers, lakes and reservoirs at normal levels). The result is a scale from +4 to
-4, ranging from an extremely moist spell to extreme drought. By relating the PDSI
number to a regional index, long-term wet or dry tendencies can be discerned.

Figure 3-4: Palmer Drought Index

Source: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/prelim/drought/palmer.html

Regional indicators such as the PDSI are limited in that they respond slowly to
deteriorating conditions. However, observing surface conditions and groundwater

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measurements may provide only a snapshot of a very small area. Therefore, the use of
a variety of drought indicators is essential for effective assessment of drought conditions,
with the PDSI being the primary drought severity indicator. Figure 3-4 displays the PDSI
for the month of April 2011.

Missouri‘s Drought Response System is divided into four phases:

 Phase I: Advisory Phase—Requires a drought monitoring and assessment
system to provide enough lead time for state and local planners to take
appropriate action;

 Phase II: Drought Alert—When the PDSI reads -1.0 to -2.0, and stream flows,
reservoir levels, and groundwater levels are below normal over a several month
period, or when the Drought Assessment Committee (DAC) determines that
Phase II conditions exist based on other drought determination methods;

 Phase III: Conservation Phase—When the PDSI reads -2.0 to -4.0, and stream
flows, reservoir levels, and groundwater levels continue to decline, along with
forecasts indicating an extended period of below-normal precipitation, or when
the DAC determines that Phase III conditions exist based on other drought
determination models;

 Phase IV: Drought Emergency—When the PDSI is lower than -4.0, or when the
DAC determines that Phase IV conditions exist based on other drought
determination methods.

The American Water Works Association has outlined the phases of drought, see Table
3-26. This outline shows how severe Taney County’s water shortage was during the
droughts of 1999-2000 (Phase II). It also shows how a small percentage of a water
shortage could have had an even larger affect on the economy.

Table 3-26: Stages of Drought
Phase I – Watch 5-10 % shortage (voluntary reductions)

Phase II – Warning 10-20 % shortage (voluntary or mandatory
reductions)

Phase III – 20-35% shortage (mandatory reductions)
Emergency

Phase IV – Critical 35-50% shortage (mandatory reductions)
Source:http://www.drinktap.org/consumerdnn/Home/WaterInformation/Conservation/
DroughtFactSheet/tabid/199/Default.aspx

Precipitation-related impacts on time scales ranging from a few days to a few months
can include effects on wildfire danger, non-irrigated agriculture, topsoil moisture, pasture
conditions, and unregulated stream flows. Lack of precipitation over a period of several
months or years adversely affects reservoir stores, irrigated agriculture, groundwater
levels, and well water depth.

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In addition to damage to crops, produce, livestock, and soil, and the resulting economic
consequences, the arid conditions created by drought pose an increased risk of fire. The
danger is especially high for brush fires, grass fires, and fires in wooded areas, which
can threaten homes and other structures in their path. Lack of water resources in rural
areas can complicate the firefighting efforts. During the spring 2000 drought, brush and
wildfires erupted in numerous counties, resulting in a Governor’s declared State of
Emergency.

Past Occurrences

There are seven recorded drought events in the NCDC storm events data. The earliest
instance recorded was in 1999. The query results from the NCDC indicate that the seven
records for drought cover the period between January 1, 1950 and April 30, 2011. The
drought record for the 1999 event states that this was the most severe drought since a
1980 drought; therefore, there were certainly instances of drought prior to 1999.
However, for the purposes of the drought hazard profile the NCDC storm event data will
be used to rate probability and severity of drought in Taney County. The drought events
from the NCDC storm data are presented in Table 3-27.

Table 3-27: Drought Events for Taney County from 1996 - 2012
Property Crop
County Date Death Injury Damage Damage
$19,400
Taney 10/01/1999 0 0 $0 ($660,000
34 counties)
Taney 08/10/2000 0 0 $0 $0
Taney 09/01/2000 0 0 $0 $0
Taney 01/01/2006 0 0 $0 $0
Taney 02/01/2006 0 0 $0 $0
Taney 03/01/2006 0 0 $0 $0
Taney 04/01/2006 0 0 $0 $0
Total 0 0 $0 $19,400
Source: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/

In Missouri, the 1999-2000 droughts began in July of 1999 and developed rapidly into a
widespread drought just three months later. The entire state was placed under a Phase
I Drought Advisory level by MDNR and the Governor declared an Agricultural
Emergency. Agriculture reporting showed a 50 percent crop loss from 50 of Missouri’s
114 counties, with severe damage to pastures for livestock, corn crops, and soybean. In
October of 1999, the U.S. Agriculture Secretary declared a federal disaster, making low-
interest loans available to farmers in Missouri and neighboring states. The drought
intensity increased through autumn and peaked at the end of November 1999. That
five-month period was the second driest period since 1895.

A wetter than normal winter diminished dry conditions in central and southern Missouri,
but long-term moisture deficits continued. Overall dry conditions returned through much
of the state in March 2000, and costly wildfires and brush fires (26 total Missouri wildfires
were reported in 1999-2000, National Climatic Data Center) erupted in many counties.
By May the entire state was under a Phase II Drought Alert level. By mid-July 2000,
there was some relief for parts of the state but not enough. Several counties were still in

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a Phase II or were upgraded to Phase III Drought Conditions. Taney County was not
upgraded to Phase III.
In 2006, a drought occurred over a four month period beginning in January of that year.
This drought was classified as severe in Taney County. All time record dry conditions
were experienced at both Springfield and Joplin in southwest Missouri. Although this
drought was severe it did not result in reported damages as it occurred outside of the
growing season.

Probability and Severity Rating

It is possible for Taney County and the State of Missouri to experience a drought at any
time throughout any given year. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources rates
Taney County for moderate drought susceptibility. Six of the seven recorded drought
events for Taney County have had little to no impact on property, crops or people.
However, the record for the 1999 drought indicates that $19,400 crop damages occurred
in Taney County during that event. Based on the NCDC storm event data, the probability
of a damaging drought event in Taney County equates to 6% or approximately one
occurrence every fifteen years, which again would be moderate. The severity of drought
should be considered moderate as well; albeit $19,400 in crop damage is significant,
there was no other associated harm to property or people.

Heat Wave
Hazard Identification

According to NOAA, heat is the number two killer among natural hazards. In contrast to
the visible, destructive, and violent nature of floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes, a heat
wave is a silent killer. Heat kills by overloading the human body’s capacity to cool itself.
In the disastrous heat wave of 1980, more than 1,250 people died nationwide. In a
normal year, about 175 Americans succumb to the bodily stresses of summer heat.

Air temperature is not the only factor to consider when assessing the likely effects of a
heat wave. High humidity, which often accompanies heat in Missouri, can increase the
harmful effects of heat. Relative humidity must also be considered, along with exposure,
wind, and activity. The Heat Index devised by the NWS combines air temperature and
relative humidity. Also known as the apparent temperature, the Heat Index is a measure
of how hot it really feels. For example, if the air temperature is 102 degrees and the
relative humidity is 55 percent then it feels like 130 degrees; 28 degrees hotter than the
actual ambient temperature. A heat index chart is depicted in Figure 3-5. Table 3-27
defines the likelihood of heat disorders with prolonged exposure to heat index values in
Figure 3-5.

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Figure 3-5: Heat Index Chart (Temperature & Relative Humidity)

Table 3-28: Risk Level for Possible Heat Disorders
Caution Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and physical activity.
Extreme Caution Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion possible.
Danger Sunstroke, heat cramps, and heat exhaustion likely, and heat stroke possible.
Extreme Danger Heat stroke highly likely with continued exposure.

Location

Heatwave is a regional event and its occurrence affects all jurisdictions within Taney
County equally.

Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

Based on 30-year statistics from the National Weather Service indicating the state's
mean number of days above 90 degrees during the summer months, Missouri is
vulnerable to heat waves ranging from high to moderate risk in the July and August
months. The NWS has developed a Heat Index/Heat Disorder Chart that relates ranges
of Heat Index with specific disorders, particularly for people in higher risk groups
presented in Table 3-29.

Table 3-29: Heat Index/Heat Disorder
Heat Index (°F) Heat Disorder
130° or higher Heat stroke/sunstroke likely with continued exposure
Sunstroke, heat cramps or heat exhaustion likely and heat stroke possible
105° to 129°
with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
90° to 104° Sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion possible with prolonged

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Table 3-29: Heat Index/Heat Disorder
Heat Index (°F) Heat Disorder
exposure and/or physical activity
80° to 89° Fatigue possible with prolonged exposure and/or physical activity
Source: NWS: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml

The National Weather Service has designated three response levels, based upon the
Heat Index, in order to alert the public to potential heat hazard presented in Table 3-30.

Table 3-30: Heat Wave Response Levels
Response
Heat Index
Level
Heat Index 115+ F for 3+ hours w/minimum Heat Index mid-70s F for 24
hours or Heat Index 105+ F w/minimum Heat Index mid-70s F for more Warning
than 3 days
Heat Index 105+ F for 3+ hours w/minimum Head Index mid-70s F for 24
Advisory
hours
Potential for Excessive Heat Warning Watch
Source: NOAA. National Weather Service Forecast Office-Springfield, MO.

There are several risk factors associated with heat-related death and illnesses, such as
lack of air conditioning, age, or outdoor activities. Heat-related death and illness can
occur with exposure to intense heat in just one afternoon, as well as continuous
exposure. Heat stress caused by continuous exposure has a cumulative effect. In
addition to the human toll, the MCC, in a paper on the 1999 heat wave, points out the
other possible impacts on our environment. These impacts include infrastructure
damage and failure, highway damage, electrical brownouts, crop damage, water
shortages, livestock deaths, fish kills, and lost productivity among outdoor-oriented
businesses. Government authorities report that civil disturbances and riots are more
likely to occur during heat waves, likely to occur during heat waves, as well as incidents
of domestic violence and abuse. The extreme heat can also have an adverse impact on
animals, including livestock and other farm animals.

According to the Missouri State Hazard Mitigation Plan, updated in July 2010, the
following types of people are at risk for heat related illness and would be severely
impacted:

 Those vulnerable to heat stress due to physical condition
o Older people
o Children
o People overweight or underweight
 People with limited independence due to physical or mental disorders
o People in institutional settings without air conditioning
o People working in heat under stress (firefighters, police, emergency
medical technicians)
o People in urban environments where heat retention in asphalt, concrete,
and masonry is a factor (heat island effect)
o People with low income who lack resources for air conditioning,
transportation, medical care, etc.
 Those with increased risk from work or leisure activities
o People who work outdoors (utility crews, construction crews, etc.)

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o Military personnel and trainees
o Athletes
 Those more difficult to reach through normal communications
o People who live alone
o People who are homeless
o People who do not speak English
o People who cannot read
o People who are culturally, socially, or geographically isolated

The State Hazard Plan addresses warning signs that the heat is beginning to have an
impact on animals. The warning signs are as listed below:

 Restlessness and crowding under shade or at water tanks/areas
 Open-mouthed breathing or panting and increased salivating
 Increased respiration rates
 Gasping and lethargic demeanor

Past Occurrences

Table 3-31 shows the most recent heat waves to hit in and around Taney County and
their effects. These seven occurrences spanned several counties throughout southern
Missouri. At least 120 people reported heat-related illnesses during these events.
Although none of the 16 deaths occurred in Taney County, it is possible that death or
illness from a heat wave event could occur in the future. The event of 1994 also caused
$50,000 in crop damages within the region. None of these heat waves have happened
within the last nine years, but never the less they could still happen at any time.

Table 3-31: Regional Heat Waves, 1993-2011
º
Date Heat Index ( F) Deaths
June 12, 1994 100+ 4
July 23,1999 105-115 6
August 1, 1999 100+ 2
August 27, 2000 100-110 1
September 1, 2000 100 0
July 17, 2001 100-110 1
August 1, 2001 100-110 2
Source: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/

Probability and Severity Rating

The National Weather Service defines a heat wave as three consecutive days of 90°F
plus temperatures. These high temperatures generally occur from June through
September, but are most prevalent in the months of July and August. Missouri
experiences about 40 days per year above 90 degrees, based on a 30-year average
compiled by the NWS from 1961-1990. July leads this statewide mean with 15 days
above 90 degrees, followed by August with an average of 12 days over 90. June and
September average 6 days and 4 days respectively for temperatures above 90 during
the same 30-year period. In the Southwest region of Missouri, including Taney County,
days with temperatures of 90 degrees and above generally occur during the month of
July. A review of the data for 1999-2002 shows Taney County could experience a brief

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heat wave every year. The probability of heat wave in Missouri is moderate and severity
is moderate, but could be upgraded to severe.

Earthquake

Hazard Identification

According to SEMA, earthquakes can be defined as shifts in the Earth’s crust causing
the surface to become unstable. This instability can manifest itself in intensity from slight
tremors to large shocks. The duration can be from a few seconds up to five minutes.
The period of tremors and shocks can last up to several months. The larger shocks can
cause ground failure, landslides, uplifts, and liquefaction and sand blows. Figure 3-6
shows the ground as normal and how the shock of an earthquake can create liquefaction
and sand blows.

The earth’s crust is made up of gigantic plates, referred to as tectonic plates. These
plates form the lithosphere and vary in thickness from 61/2 miles (beneath oceans) to 40
miles (beneath mountain ranges) with an average thickness of 20 miles. These plates
“float” over a partially melted layer of crust called the athenosphere. The plates are in
motion and where a plate joins another, they form boundaries. Plates moving toward
each other are called a convergent plate boundary. Plates moving away from each
other are called a divergent plate boundary. The San Andreas Fault in California is a
horizontal motion boundary, where the Pacific plate is moving north while the North
American plate is moving west. These movements release built up energy in the form of
earthquakes, tremors, and volcanism (volcanoes). Fault lines such as the San Andreas
come all the way to the surface and can be readily seen and identified. There are also
fault lines that do not come all the way to the surface (subterranean faults), yet they can
store and release energy when they adjust (SEMA, Missouri Hazard Analysis, F-1).

Figure 3-6: Earthquake Shock

Source: http://www.gsa.state.al.us/gsa/EQ2/newmad.html

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The subterranean faults were formed many millions of years ago on or near the surface
of the earth. Subsequent to that time, these ancient faults subsided, while the areas
adjacent were pushed up. As this fault zone (also known as a rift) lowered, sediments
filled in the lower areas. Under pressure, the sediments hardened into limestones,
sandstones, and shales – thus burying the rifts. The pressures on the North American
plate and the movements along the San Andreas Fault by the Pacific plate have
reactivated the buried rift(s) in the Mississippi embayment. This rift system is called the
Reelfoot Rift.

Location

The entire planning area is at risk for an earthquake occurring at New Madrid Fault,
Wabash Valley Fault, Illinois Basin and the Nemaha Uplift.

Extent

Since Taney County is located a distance away from the New Madrid Fault, it is likely
that the impacts of an earthquake will be negligible. However, many people are
unaware of earthquake hazards and the possible damages that could occur from a
higher magnitude earthquake. Including information on earthquake risk in education
programs on natural hazards could be beneficial to Taney County residents.

In 2003, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Center for Earthquake
Research and Information at the University of Memphis (CERI) updated forecasts of
earthquake probability in the New Madrid fault zone. The probability of a magnitude 6.0
or greater earthquake is 25 to 40 percent through the year 2053. The probability of a
repeat of the 1811-1812 earthquakes, estimated at a 7.5 to 8.0 magnitude, is seven to
10 percent through the year 2053 (USGS, Scientists Update New Madrid). With almost
12.5 million people living in the area, steps are being taken to reduce the hazard to the
citizens and property in the area. Based on the information from CERI, the probability of
an earthquake is rated as moderate and the severity is rated high.

New Madrid earthquake damage covers over more than 20 times the area of the typical
California earthquake because of the underlying geology in the Midwest. Ground
shaking affects structures close to the earthquake epicenter but also can damage
structures far away. Certain types of buildings at a significant distance from the
earthquake epicenter, such as unreinforced masonry structures, tall structures without
adequate lateral resistance, and poorly maintained structures are specifically susceptible
to large earthquakes.

While the Richter Scale is a measurement of the energy released by an earthquake, the
effects of an earthquake will vary from place to place. The Modified Mercalli Intensity
Scale is used by seismologists to describe the effects of an earthquake, at a given place,
on the natural environment, the built environment and people. An abbreviated
description of the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale is noted below:

I. Not felt except by a very few under especially favorable conditions.
II. Felt only by a few persons at rest, especially on upper floors of buildings.

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III. Felt quite noticeably by persons indoors, especially on upper floors of buildings.
Many people do not recognize it as an earthquake. Standing motor cars may
rock slightly. Vibrations similar to the passing of a truck. Duration estimated.
IV. Felt indoors by many, outdoors by few during the day. At night, some awakened.
Dishes, windows, doors disturbed; walls make cracking sound. Sensation like
heavy truck striking building. Standing motor cars rocked noticeably.
V. Felt by nearly everyone; many awakened. Some dishes, windows broken.
Unstable objects overturned. Pendulum clocks may stop.
VI. Felt by all, many frightened. Some heavy furniture moved; a few instances of
fallen plaster. Damage slight.
VII. Damage negligible in buildings of good design and construction; slight to
moderate in well-built ordinary structures; considerable damage in poorly built or
badly designed structures; some chimneys broken.
VIII. Damage slight in specially designed structures; considerable damage in ordinary
substantial buildings with partial collapse. Damage great in poorly built
structures. Fall of chimneys, factory stacks, columns, monuments, walls. Heavy
furniture overturned.
IX. Damage considerable in specially designed structures; well-designed frame
structures thrown out of plumb. Damage great in substantial buildings, with
partial collapse. Buildings shifted off foundations.
X. Some well-built wooden structures destroyed; most masonry and frame
structures destroyed with foundations. Rails bent.
XI. Few, if any (masonry) structures remain standing. Bridges destroyed. Rails bent
greatly.
XII. Damage total. Lines of sight and level are distorted. Objects thrown into the air.

Source: Abridged from The Severity of an Earthquake. U. S. Geological Survey Series General
Interest Publication. http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq4/severitygip.html

Indirect hazards may also occur at great distances from large earthquakes. Liquefaction
(disintegration of alluvial soils), landslides and life-line disruptions will most affect areas
closest to the epicenter, but may occur at significant distances. Secondary effects of
such an earthquake could include fire, building collapse, utility disruption, flooding,
hazardous materials release, environmental impacts and economic disruptions/losses.

SEMA’s Projected Earthquake Intensities indicate Taney County is at risk for a Level VI
impact on the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale from a 6.7 magnitude earthquake; Level
VI from a 7.6 magnitude earthquake; or Level VII in the event of an 8.6 magnitude
earthquake centered within the New Madrid Fault.

Figure 3-7 shows the highest projected Modified Mercalli intensities by county from a
potential earthquake whose epicenter could be anywhere along the length of the New
Madrid seismic zone.

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Figure 3-7: Projected Earthquake Intensities, 7.6 Magnitude

The future probable severity for earthquakes at each level on the Modified Mercalli Scale
is shown in Table 3-32.

Table 3-32: Earthquake Probable Severity
Modified Mercalli Levels Future Probable Severity
I-V Low
VI Low
VII Moderate
VIII-XII High

The impact on the general public, businesses, life-line services, and the infrastructure
may be radically lessened if precautions are undertaken at multiple levels. Increased
education and subsequent action can reduce the potential effects of earthquakes, and
this can be done in conjunction with preparations for other natural hazards. A public
information program that educates the public on the risks and potential impacts of
earthquake would be the most beneficial to Taney County residents and businesses.

Individuals and all levels of government have roles in reducing risk to earthquake
hazards. Individuals can reduce their own vulnerability by taking some simple and
inexpensive actions within their own households. Local government can take action to
lower the threat through the proper regulation of at risk sites, assuring that vital or
important structures (police, fire, medical) resist hazards, and developing infrastructure

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in a way that decreases risk. State agencies and the legislature can assist other
governmental levels by providing incentives for minimizing hazards.

Past Occurrences

Four earthquake source zones -- the New Madrid Fault, the Wabash Valley Fault, the
Illinois Basin and the Nemaha Uplift -- could affect Taney County because of their close
proximity. The New Madrid fault poses the greatest threat and has the longest history of
activity. This fault runs from north Arkansas through southeast Missouri, western
Tennessee and Kentucky to the Illinois side of the Ohio River Valley. During the winter
of 1811-1812, three earthquakes estimated to have been of a magnitude 7.5 or greater
were centered on the New Madrid fault in southeast Missouri. Thousands of aftershocks
continued for years. Since 1811, 35 events of magnitude 5.0 or greater have affected
Missouri and several surrounding states.

Significant earthquakes, each about magnitude 6, occurred in 1843 near Marked Tree,
Arkansas, and on October 31, 1895 near Charleston, Missouri. In November 1968, a
magnitude 5.5 earthquake centered in southeastern Illinois caused moderate damage to
chimneys and walls at Hermann, St. Charles, St. Louis, and Sikeston, Missouri. The
afflicted areas included all or portions of 23 states. Smaller earthquakes have occurred
throughout southeastern parts of Missouri. While the magnitude of the earthquakes may
not be as great, they are still destructive and dangerous. Several smaller earthquakes
can weaken structures and foundations, placing such structures in danger of collapse
during an earthquake of greater magnitude.

The following figure was taken from the Missouri State Hazard Mitigation Plan and
shows the Taney County’s, the red star, geographical relationship to the Wabash Valley,
South Central Illinois and the New Madrid Seismic zones. The dots represent historic
seismic activity and the diameter of the dot represents the strength of the activity.

Figure 3-9 was taken from the Kansas Geological Survey and shows the location of the
Nemaha Uplift. Although the location of Taney County is not depicted in the figure, the
Nemaha uplift is prone to seismic activity, which may affect the planning area. The
center of the Humbolt fault zone near the Nemeha Uplift is approximately 180 to 220
mile east northeast of Taney County in Missouri.

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Figure 3-8: Wabash Valley, Central Illinois and New Madrid Earthquakes

Source: Missouri State Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2010

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Figure 3-9: Nemaha Uplift

Source: http://www.kgs.ku.edu/Publications/GeoRecord/2001/vol7.3/Page1.html

Probability and Severity Rating

Earthquake hazards would be a non-historical event as there is no record of a an
earthquake occurrence in Taney County. In terms of the New Madrid fault, current
estimates of the recurrence intervals of a 6.0 or greater magnitude earthquake is
approximately 100 years and the recurrence interval for a higher magnitude earthquake
similar to the 1811-1812 earthquakes is about 500 years. Small quakes along the New
Madrid fault occur in Missouri about every eight days, but are usually not noticeable. The
probability of an appreciable earthquake in Taney County is low.

Based on the history of seismic activity in the New Madrid Fault zone and the forecasts
developed by the USGS and CERI, there is a 25-40 percent chance that an earthquake
of magnitude 6.0 or greater will occur within the next 50 years. Taney County lies a
distance from the New Madrid Fault, and the impact of a low level earthquake would be
low. The more severe threat stems from an earthquake producing Modified Mercalli
impact levels of VII-XII.

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Dam Failure

Hazard Identification

A dam is defined by the National Dam Safety Act as an artificial barrier that impounds or
diverts water and (1) is at least 6 feet high and stores at least 50 acre-feet of water, or
(2) is at least 25 feet high and stores at least 15 acre-feet. Of the 80,000-plus dams in
the United States, less than 5 percent are under the control of the federal government.

According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Dam and Reservoir Safety
Program, Missouri had some 5,239 recorded dams in October 2009, the largest number
of man-made dams of any state in the country. Missouri’s topography allows lakes to be
built easily and inexpensively, which accounts for the high number of dams. Despite
such a large number, only about 620 Missouri dams (20 percent) fall under state
regulations, while another 85 dams are federally controlled. A non-federal dam can be
anything from a large farm pond to Bagnell Dam which created the Lake of the Ozarks.
The great majority of non-federal dams are privately owned structures that were built
either for agriculture or for recreational use. Missouri also has some 600 dams which
were built as small watershed projects under Public Law-566 (Watershed Protection and
Flood Prevention Act of 1953).

These dams serve many functions, including flood control, erosion control, recreation,
fish and wildlife habitat, water supply, and water quality improvement. Many are nearing
the end of their 50-year lifespan and are in need of repair. Another group of older dams
in the state was originally built by railroads to create drinking water reservoirs for the
towns where the railroads were built.

Within the State of Missouri, the Department of Natural Resources maintains a Dam and
Safety Program within the Division of Geology and Land Survey. The objective is to
ensure that the dams are safely constructed, operated, and maintained pursuant to
Chapter 236 Revised Statutes of Missouri. Under state statute, a dam must be 35 feet
or higher to be state regulated. These dams are surveyed by state inspectors at least
every five years. However, the majority of Missouri dams are less than 35 feet high and
thus, not regulated. While the State has for many years encouraged dam owners to do
owner inspections for those dams not under the law, the condition of many of these
dams is deteriorating.

The Department of Natural Resources Geological Survey and Resources Assessment
Division resumed inspecting regulated dams effective July 1, 2004. Because of budget
cuts in 2003, dam owners were required to hire private professional engineers to
conduct dam surveys for required permits.

While the state has ultimate responsibility for public safety, dam owners have primary
responsibility for the safe design, operation and maintenance of their dams. They are
responsible for providing early warning of problems at the dam, for developing an
effective emergency action plan, and for coordinating that plan with local officials.
MDNR’s Dam Safety Division maintains a database of all dams regardless of federal,
state, local or private ownership.

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Oversight is extremely valuable to the owners as well as those people living downstream
of the dam who could be flooded in the event the dam should fail. Dams can fail for
many reasons. The most common are:

 Piping: internal erosion caused by embankment leakage, foundation leakage and
deterioration of pertinent structures appended to the dam.

 Erosion: inadequate spillway capacity causing overtopping of the dam, flow
erosion, and inadequate slope protection.

 Structure Failure: caused by an earthquake, slope instability or faulty
construction.

These failure types often are interrelated. For example, erosion, either on the surface or
internal, may weaken the dam or lead to structural failure. Additionally, a structural
failure may shorten the seepage path and lead to a piping failure.

Location

There are eight dams in Taney County (see Figure 3-10 and Table 3-29). The most
significant is the Table Rock Dam. Built in 1958, the dam created Table Rock Lake and
is managed by the Corps of Engineers out of Little Rock, Arkansas. Dams over 35 feet
high are regulated by the State. In Taney County, though 4 dams are higher than 35
feet, two are federally regulated while Silver Creek Lake Dam and Cross Creek Dam
remain State regulated. The majority of the dams in Taney County are used for
recreational purposes, though Table Rock and Ozark Beach are used for hydroelectric
power. Table Rock Dam is also used for flood control.

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Figure 3-10: Taney County Dam Location
TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
Village of DAM LOCATIONS
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Table 3-33: Taney County Dams
Dam Official Name River/Stream Year Ht. Res. State Hazard
# Built Area Reg. Level
Unnamed Tributary 0 34 1 L
1 Oakmont Resort Dam No
to White River
2 Fall Creek Dam Fall Creek 0 32 20 No H
3 Silver Creek Lake Dam Silver Creek 1982 41 30 Yes S
Shepard of the Hills 1971 33 4 L
4 Roark Creek No
Historical Society Dam
Rockwood Hills Lake 1972 25 3 H
5 Bee Creek No
Dam
6 Table Rock Dam White River 1959 252 0 Federal H
7 Ozark Beach Dam White River 1913 58 3,020 Federal L
Unnamed Tributary 2004 40 2.8 L
8 Cross Creek Dam Yes
to White River A
Source: Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Dam Safety Program.

The Missouri Dam and Reservoir Safety Council Rules and Regulations uses three
classes of downstream environmental zone used when considering permits. The
downstream environment zone is the area below the dam that would become inundated
should the dam fail. Inundation is defined as water two feet or more over the submerged
ground outside of the stream channel. These classes are based on the number of
structures and types of development contained within the inundation area as presented
in Table 3-34. The downstream environment zone classification is also used to prescribe
the frequency of inspection.

Table 3-34: Classes of Downstream Environment Zone

The area downstream from the dam that would be affected by inundation
Class I contains ten (10) or more permanent dwellings or any public building. Inspection
of these dams must occur every two years
The area downstream from the dam that would be affected by inundation
contains one to nine permanent dwelling, or one (1) or more campgrounds with
Class II
permanent water, sewer and electrical services or one (1) or more industrial
buildings. Inspection of these dams must occur once every three years.
The area downstream from the dam that would be affected by inundation does
Class III not contain any of the structures identified for Class I or Class II dams. Inspection
of these dams must occur once every five years
Source: http://floodplain.sema.dps.mo.gov/MitPlan/docs.aspx?link=modamreg94

Past Occurrences

Dam failures in the United States have resulted in death, injuries and billions of dollars in
property damage. Dam failure events in Missouri include dams in Lawrenceton in 1968,
Washington County in 1975, Fredericktown in 1977, a near failure in Franklin County in
1978, and Lesterville in 2005. There has not been a reported incident of dam failure in
Taney County thus far.

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Figure 3-10 is an image of the erosion and failure of the Silver Creek Dam near
Rockaway Beach in 2004. The dam was identified both by SEMA and the Association of
State Dam Safety Officials as unsafe and in need of immediate repair. The dam was
heavily eroded due to an improperly located spillway discharge channel on the east end
of the dam. The failure of this dam threatened the safety of one permanent residence,
reduce property values of those residences located adjacent to the lake shoreline, as
well as take out a section of Missouri 176 while dumping tons of silt into Lake
Taneycomo. One of the biggest barriers to repairing the Silver Creek Dam was its status
as abandoned. Today there is new ownership of the dam who is working with state
agencies to maintain Silver Creek Dam.

Figure 3-11: Erosion at Silver Creek Dam

Source: http://www.damsafety.org/documents/pdf/Missouri.pdf

The most recent example of a dam failure in Missouri happened in 2005, when the stone
retaining wall around a huge mountaintop reservoir around the town of Lesterville
collapsed before daybreak, releasing a billion-gallon torrent of water that swept away at
least two homes and several vehicles and critically injured three children, according to
authorities. After the breach opened up, within minutes the 50-acre reservoir had
emptied itself out with terrifying effect, turning the surrounding area into a landscape of
flattened trees and clay-covered grass and temporally evacuating the city of Lesterville.
(National Weather Service)

Probability and Severity Rating

The age and ownership of dams are the most significant factors affecting risk of dam
failure. The likelihood of a dam failure is always possible. However, the risk of dam
failure is considered unlikely for the federally maintained dams that could affect Taney
County.

According to Stanford University‘s National Performance of Dams Program, between
1975 and 2001 there were 17 dam failures in Missouri. These data translate into a 65%

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probability that there will be a dam failure in any given year statewide. However, with
over 5,000 dams across the state the probability that a dam failure would occur at one of
the eight dams in Taney County is very low; therefore, it is unlikely that an event of this
type will happen in the county.

Aerial photography from the National Agricultural Imagery Program was utilized along
with a digital assessor’s parcel file from the Taney County GIS database were used to
inspect the downstream environmental zones or likely inundation areas coincident with
the dam location in the county. Using this method it was determined that the
Vollenweider Lake Dam classified as a Class III dam indicating the severity of failure
would be low.

Wildfire

Hazard Identification

Forest and grassland fires can and
Table 3-35: Missouri Fire Statistics 2009:
have occurred on any day throughout Causes
the year. However, the majority of Lightning >1%
fires and the greatest acreage loss will Camping 1%
occur during the spring fire season, Smoking 4%
which is normally between February Debris Burning 58%
15 and May 10. The length and Arson 20%
severity of this burning period depends Equipment Use 3%
on weather conditions. Spring in Railroads 1%
Missouri is noted for its low humidity Children 1%
and high winds. Spring is also the Miscellaneous Causes 12%
time of the year when rural residents Source: MDC: http://mdc.mo.gov/forest/fire/stats.htm
normally burn their garden spots and
brush piles. Many landowners believe it is necessary to burn the woods in the spring of
the year in order to get more grass, kill ticks, and get rid of the brush. These conditions,
together with below normal precipitation and high temperatures, result in extremely high
fire danger. Depending on weather conditions, a sizable number of fires also can occur
between mid-October and late November. In 2009, there were a total of 3,779 wildfires
reported and a total of 42,486 acres burned. (MDC) Figure 3-12 notes types of wildfires
that may occur.

According to SEMA’s 2000 Hazard Analysis, wildfires are most common in the more
heavily-timbered southern part of the state. While wild forest fires are not common in
Taney County, it is possible for wildfires to occur due to drought, debris burning, and
incendiary fires. Debris burning is consistently the number one cause of wildfires in
Missouri. Fire caused by lightning is rare despite 50 to 70 thunderstorm days per year.
Wildfire fuel includes combustible material in the form of vegetation such as grass,
leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs and trees. Over 88 percent of the county’s land
cover is grasslands and forests, increasing the risk for wildfire.

The Forestry Division of the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is responsible
for protecting privately owned and state-owned forests and grasslands from the
destructive effects of wildfires. To accomplish this task, eight forestry regions have been

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established in the State to assist with the quick suppression of fires. The Forestry
Division works closely with volunteer fire departments and federal partners to assist with
fire suppression activities. Currently, a cooperative agreement between the Mark Twain
National Forest and Taney County is renewed annually.

Figure 3-12: Types of Wildfire

Source: Missouri Department of Conservation.

Table 3-36: Land Cover in Taney County
% Coverage
Land Cover Type Acres
of County
Non-Native, Cool-Season Grasslands 259,174.72 51.2
Deciduous Upland Mixed Oak Forest 131,242.64 26.0
Mixed Evergreen-Deciduous Red Cedar Hardwood Forest 31,565.13 6.2
Grassland, General 23,643.44 4.7
Land cover type - includes top four types of estimated land coverage.
Source: Missouri Watershed Information Network (MoWIN)

Location

Wildland Urban Interface
According to the SILVIS Lab, in the Department of Forest & Wildlife Ecology at the
University of Wisconsin- Madison, the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) is defined as the
area where structures and other human development meet and intermingle with
undeveloped wildland. The SLVIS lab uses thresholds of housing density and a percent
of vegetative coverage in an area to model where development and fuel meet and map
the threat of wildfire events. The data used to create this model is gathered from the
2000 U.S. Census, at the Census block level, and the National Land Cover Dataset
(NLCD), satellite data based on 1992/93 imagery. From the 2000 Census data, housing

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densities are derived for all Census blocks and are measured as the number of housing
units per square kilometer. Data from the NLCD is used to identify wildlands, which are
defined as forests, native grasslands, shrubs, wetlands, and transitional lands, most
often clear-cuts.

The SILVIS Lab then defines two types of Wildland-Urban classes; interface and
intermix. The interface class is an area were housing is in the vicinity of contiguous
vegetation. The area must have more than one house per 40 acres, have less than 50%
vegetation, and be within 1.5 miles of a area over 1,325 acres that is more than 75%
vegetated. The model specifies 1.5 miles because, according to the California Fire
Alliance, that is the distance a firebrand can be blown from a wildland fire to a home and
catch the home on fire. The intermix class is an area where housing and vegetation
intermingle. The area must have at least one house per 40 acres, have continuous
vegetation, and be more than 50% vegetation. For each type of WUI, there are three
subtypes: low density, medium density and high density. Each subtype is defined in the
Table 3-37.

Application of WUI
The map in Figure 3-13 is meant to illustrate the likely locations of wildfire in Taney
County. The map is a combination of land classified as either forest or grassland in the
2005 USGS Land Use Land Cover 30 meter resolution grid and an overlay of 2000
census blocks classified by SILVIS Lab’s Wildland Urban Interface methodology.
Although the threat of wildfire is countywide, the WUI demonstrates where this hazard
would most likely present a danger to people and property. The WUI classes of interface
and intermix for each level were combined creating three levels of high, medium and low
density development in largely vegetated areas.

Table 3-37: Classification of Wildland Urban Interface
Sub Type Description
2 2
Low Density Housing Density ≥ 6.2 housing units/km and < 49.4 housing units /km
Interface Vegetation ≤ 50% within 2.4km of an area with ≥75% vegetation
2 2
Medium Density Housing Density ≥ 49.4 housing units/km and < 741.3 housing units /km
Interface Vegetation ≤ 50% within 2.4km of an area with ≥75% vegetation
2
High Density Housing Density ≥ 741.3 housing units/km Vegetation ≤ 50% within 2.4km of
Interface an area with ≥75% vegetation
2 2
Low Density Housing Density ≥ 6.2 housing units/km and < 49.4 housing units /km
Intermix Vegetation > 50%
2 2
Medium Density Housing Density ≥ 49.4 housing units/km and < 741.3 housing units /km
Intermix Vegetation > 50%
2 2
High Density Housing Density ≥ 49.4 housing units/km and < 741.3 housing units /km
Intermix Vegetation > 50%
Source: http://silvis.forest.wisc.edu/old/Library/WUIDefinitions.php

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Figure 3-13: Wildfire Hazard Areas

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Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

Wildfires can flare out of control, often with catastrophic results. Grass grows back
quickly with little damage, but fires in forests and croplands are costly. A major wildfire
can leave large areas of scorched and barren land which may not return to pre-fire
conditions for decades. If ground cover has been burned away, little is left to hold soil in
place on steep slopes and hillsides and heavy rains could result in increased soil erosion
and siltation of area streams and creeks. Fatalities occasionally can result from
wildfires, usually due to overexertion or heart attack.

Past Occurrences

No Missouri fires are listed among the significant wildfires in the U.S. since 1825. Each
year, about 3,700 wildfires burn more than 55,000 acres of forest and grassland on
average in Missouri. On April 5, 2000, dry conditions and wind gusts carrying sparks
from other wildfires resulted in the outbreak of 88 wildfires throughout several southwest
Missouri counties, including Taney County. These wildfires caused $5,000 in damages
in the region; however, any specific damages in Taney County are not documented.

The Missouri Department of Conservation wildfire reporting data for Taney County
contain records for 515 events from 2002 through 2011 that burned a total of 6,475
acres.
The record indicates that on average there are 57 wildfires each year in Taney County.
Of the 28 structures damaged or destroyed, 12 were the result of debris burning.. There
is no injury or fatality information associated with the data. Table 3-38 summarizes the
MDC data by cause.

Table 3-38: Taney County Wildfire Statistics by Cause 2002-2011
Structures
Structures
Cause # of Fires Damaged 0r Acres Burned
Threatened
Destroyed
Arson 21 0 25 1,040
Campfire 6 0 2 5
Children 2 0 1 2
Debris 150 12 112 2,997
Equipment 10 0 4 43
Lightning 2 0 0 1
Miscellaneous 212 13 55 1,272
Not Reported 2 0 1 1
Railroad 1 0 0 5
Smoking 0 0 0 0
Unknown 109 3 73 1109
Total 515 28 273 6,475
Source: http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/FireReporting/Report.aspx

Probability and Severity Rating

Based on the MCD fire reporting data, the probability of wildfire and grass fire
occurrence is extremely high with multiple events occurring in any given year. The risk

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percentage calculation for these events is equal to 2,837%. However many of the
majority of these events have occurred between the months of November through
March. The likelihood of these events increases during extremely dry periods and tend
to occur during certain periods, such as spring, late fall, or under conditions of excessive
heat, dryness, and/or drought. Table 3-39 describes the probability of wildfire
occurrence based on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s fire danger index
levels.

Table 3-39: Probability of Wildfire Occurrence by Danger Level
Danger Level Probability Rating
Low Fire Danger Low
Moderate Fire Danger High
High Fire Danger High
Extreme Fire Danger High
Source: MDC: http://www.mdc.state.mo.us/forest/fire/adject.htm

Although the probability of wildfire is very great in Taney County, only 23 events have
resulted in a damaged or destroyed structure. The severity of wildfire based on MDC
records would be considered low in Taney County. However, as residential areas
expand into relatively undeveloped rural lands, people living in these communities are
increasingly threatened by wildfires. Protecting structures in isolated locations can
stretch firefighting resources to the limit. The grasslands and forested areas in Taney
County combined with certain weather conditions create the potential risk for a wildfire
within the county.

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Sinkhole Hazard
(bowl-shaped, collapse)

Hazard Identification

A sinkhole is an area of ground that has no natural external surface drainage—when it
rains, all of the water stays inside the sinkhole and typically drains into the subsurface.
Sinkholes can vary from a few feet to hundreds of acres and from less than 1 to more
than 100 feet deep (USGS, Sinkhole Fact Sheet, p. 1). Some are shaped like shallow
bowls whereas others have vertical walls; some hold water and form natural ponds,
while others do not hold water. Typically, sinkholes form so slowly that little change is
seen in one’s lifetime, but they can form suddenly when a collapse occurs. Such a
collapse can have a dramatic effect if it occurs in an urban setting.

Sinkholes form in karst terrain, which is a region where the bedrock can be dissolved by
ground water. Bedrock in a karst area typically is composed of carbonate
(limestone/dolomite) or evaporite (gypsum) rock. Topographic features such as springs,
caves, and sinkholes all form because water that is slightly acidic, from absorbing
carbon dioxide from the air and soil, dissolves the bedrock along horizontal and vertical
cracks and crevices, and forms pathways and channels in the rock. These pathways are
like underground plumbing that carries water from the surface to springs located in
valleys. Eventually, these cracks and crevices, which are the beginning of a conduit
system, become large enough to start transporting small soil particles, see Figure 3-14.
As these small particles of soil are carried off, the surface of the soil above the conduit
starts slumping down gradually, and a small depression forms on the surface of the
ground. This small depression acts like a funnel and gathers even more water, which
makes the conduit larger and washes more soil into the conduit, making the depression
both wider and deeper.

There are two general types of sinkholes – collapse and bowl-shaped. Collapse
sinkholes are much less common than the bowl-shaped type. Collapses form in
essentially the same way as the more common bowl-shaped sinkholes. However, when
the soil particles start washing into the conduit, the soil closer to the ground surface does
not slump down, but starts forming a bridge, see Figure 3-15. A void forms where the
soil keeps washing into the conduit and, eventually, several things can happen that can
cause the bridge to collapse to form a sinkhole. One, the void can grow large enough
that the soil above it can no longer bridge it. Two, the soil bridge dries out and collapses
due to loss of cohesion. Three, the bridge collapses due to an excess load applied on
top of it. Or four, vibration in the adjacent area due to traffic, construction, or even
weather can loosen the soil in the bridge.

The process of forming a conduit and a soil bridge can take many years to decades to
even centuries to form and can be aggravated by human activities. Since the process of
forming a sinkhole depends on water to carry away soil particles, anything that increases
the amount of water flowing into the subsurface can facilitate this process. Parking lots,
streets, altered drainage from construction, and roof guttering are some things that can
increase runoff; even weather can make a difference.

Between 1970 and 2007, MDNR examined more than 160 collapses statewide that were
reported by the public. Most of these collapses were small—less than 10 feet in diameter
and 10 feet deep (USGS, Sinkhole Fact Sheet, p. 1); some, however, are quite large and

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spectacular. Sinkhole collapses drained a lake in the St. Louis, Missouri, area (St. Louis
Post Dispatch, June 11, 2004), drained the West Plains, Missouri, sewage lagoon
(Gillman et al, 2007), partially drained the Springfield, Missouri, treated sewage lagoon
(Vineyard and Feder, 1982), and another in Nixa, Missouri swallowed a car along with
the garage it was parked in (Gouzie and Pendergrass, 2009).

Figure 3-14: Bowl-shaped sinkhole Figure 3-15: Formation of collapse—Soil
bridges gap where sediment has been
washing into a solution enlarged fracture, A.
Over time, the void migrates upward through
the soil, B. After the bridge thins, a sudden
collapse, C, often plugs the drain and erosion
will, after many years, transform the collapse
into a more bowl-shaped sinkhole, D.

Location

Taney County is underlain primarily by carbonate rocks containing mainly limestone and
some dolomite bedrock. These types of bedrock are extremely sensitive to water
dissolution along joints and fractures within the rock. Areas along natural drainage paths
tend to be more susceptible to sinkhole formation as well, due to increased water flow
into the subsurface.

Figure 3-16: Taney County Geologic Map Showing Locations of Sinkholes
(CARES)

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Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

Formation of sinkholes can and will affect Taney County. However, the impact of past
sinkholes is statistically negligible. Since sinkhole formation occurs on a localized scale,
property damage is limited to negligible depending on structures immediately within or
adjacent to the sinkhole area.

An occurrence of a bowl-shaped sinkhole is unlikely to cause much damage, if any; to
structures since it is a very slow process that occurs over many years. Structures can
be altered or relocated as necessary during the formational process. However, an
occurrence of a collapse sinkhole could cause significant damage to structures in the
localized area.

Past Occurrences

Since 1879, when the USGS first began topographic mapping, there have been 64
sinkholes reported in Taney County. The sinkhole locations are widely scattered
throughout the county, however, there seems to be a trend of sinkholes between the
town of Taneyville and the unincorporated area of Kissee Mills along State Hwy 76.
Many of these sinkholes may have been reported during the construction of the highway,
which would explain their linear trend. But there are also a significantly higher number of
sinkholes reported within Kissee Mills and Taneyville, as shown in Figure 3-16.

Probability and Severity Rating

Although Taney County has bedrock that is very conducive to sinkhole damage, the risk
of sinkhole formation in Taney County is low based on the number of existing sinkholes
reported throughout the county. Since map-based record keeping began, only 64
sinkholes have formed and have been mapped in Taney County according to the USGS.
This means that over the past 133 years, there has been around 1 sinkhole report every
2 years.

In addition, using a buffer of 30 feet (9 meters) around existing reported sinkhole
locations, this total buffer area currently comprises only around 0.00001% of the total
land area in the county, which can be considered negligible. Therefore, the probability of
sinkholes in Taney County can be considered relatively low. However, this doesn’t mean
that the severity of the existing sinkholes is low. An occurrence of a collapse sinkhole
could cause significant localized damage.

Sinkhole formation in urban areas compared to rural areas has the potential to be
expedited due to human interaction with the subsurface through construction of facilities
and infrastructure. Natural drainage patterns are altered, which can increase water
volume and flow to areas more susceptible to sinkhole formation, thus increasing the
potential for mobilization of sediment in the subsurface or increasing amount of
dissolution of the underlying bedrock.

A secondary problem that can arise once sinkhole formation has already occurred is
flooding. During periods of excessive rainfall in the watershed of an existing sinkhole
can cause water levels to rise faster than it can infiltrate into the ground through the soil
of the sinkhole. When this happens, water can temporarily “back-up” to fill the sinkhole
and may even “spill-over” into surrounding low-lying areas. In some cases, homes with

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“walk-out” basements are built along the sides of a sinkhole and, in those cases, the
walk-out basement may become the low-lying “spill-over” area.

The likelihood of future sinkhole hazards is shown in Table 3-40.

Table 3--40: Probability Rating for Sinkhole Occurrence in Taney County
Event Type Future Occurrence
Bowl-shaped Sinkhole Low
Collapse Sinkhole Low

There have been no recent reports of sinkholes that have caused property damage in
Taney County.

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Public Health Emergencies
Hazard Identification

Any alteration to the environment that creates or has potential to create increased
morbidity and mortality either by unforeseen changes in the climate, air quality, soil
quality and/or food quality that requires Public Health, EMS, and/or clinic and hospital
services beyond status quo.

High profile events include but are not limited to: Excessive Heat Emergencies,
Excessive Cold Emergencies, Extensive and long lasting power disruption, toxic
chemical releases, landslides, mudslides, and / or polluted water runoff impacting water
quality, wildfires affecting air quality, toxic chemical releases and pollution affecting air
quality, contamination and recalls of food affecting food quality.

Public health emergencies have the potential to adversely impact a large number of
people and those impacts can range from local disasters to worldwide epidemics.
Specifically, public health emergencies can take the form of disease epidemics, food or
water contamination, disruption of water and sewer services, or infestations of disease-
carrying insects or rodents. They can occur as either stand-alone events or be the result
of tornadoes, floods, or other incidents (MHA, 2011).

Approximately 1500 diseases can affect people and half of those diseases can be
transmitted between animals and humans. These diseases are called zoonotic diseases
or zoonoses. Zoonotic diseases are a growing concern for public health due to human
and animal population living in closer proximately, climate change and advances in
transportation.

Public health has begun to focus on two major causes of public health emergencies:
biohazard terrorism and disease outbreaks (disease outbreaks will be the focus of this
hazard profile). Disease outbreaks are of an area of concern because a virulent strain
could quickly be spread around the world due to the interconnectedness of the global
economy. Of particular interest is the risk of pandemic influenza, similar to the Spanish
Flu epidemic of 1918-1919 which killed 20 million people worldwide. Influenza is not the
only disease of concern to public health officials. Diseases such as small pox,
meningitis, tick-borne illnesses, West Nile Virus, Tetanus and Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) are also monitored (MHA, 2011).

An influenza pandemic would be the result of a type A influenza virus that has mutated
or shifted into a form to which the general population has no immunities. In order for a
pandemic to occur, it is key that this new type A virus is easily transmitted from person to
person. Because the general population has no immunity to this new virus, the virus will
attack young and old, healthy and sick (MHA, 2011).

Public health also monitor water and air for chemicals and pollutants that are known to
cause illness, and track where hazardous chemicals are stored. Sources of these
pollutants can range from routine industrial activities, automobile use, accidents, or
natural disasters. Floods, for example, can overwhelm wastewater treatment facilities
and result in the release of raw sewage. It is also important for emergency responders to

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know the locations of hazardous waste so they can be properly equipped and prepared
during disaster responses (MHA, 2011).

Location

The entire County is at risk for a public health emergency. Specifically, Branson,
Missouri is a Class IV city with a permanent population of approximately 9,000 located in
the west-central area of Taney County. Taney County is located in the southwest portion
of Missouri. The Branson area’s predominant industry is tourism, being the Number 1
Motorcoach destination for the past decade, Number 1 tour bus destination in the
continental United States for outlet mall shopping excursions, and the Number 2 tour bus
destination in the continental United States for music entertainment shows. The city of
Branson includes approximately 340 restaurants, 50 theaters, 3 shopping malls, 200
lodging facilities and 3 lakes.

Approximately 7 million guests per year visit this area. The average stay is 2.4 days.
Branson is within a one-day drive for 50 percent of the United States population. The
busiest tour bus time occurs during the last week in November, with the day after
Thanksgiving for shopping and the first week in December with Christmas music shows,
lighting displays, and the Adoration parade (TCHD,2012).

Extent (Magnitude/Severity)

For planning purposes, it is reasonable to assume a rapid movement of a pandemic flu
virus from major metropolitan areas to rural areas of the county. The effect of a
pandemic on individual communities would likely be relatively prolonged—weeks to
months. The impact of the next pandemic could have a devastating effect on the health
and well being of Taney County citizens and the American public. For such an outbreak
in the future, if planning and preparations were inadequate, CDC estimates that in the
U.S. alone:

• Up to 200 million persons will be infected.
• Between 40 and 100 million persons will become clinically ill.
• Between 18 and 45 million persons will require outpatient care.
• Between 300,000 and 800,000 persons will be hospitalized.
• Between 88,000 and 300,000 people will die nationwide.
• Effective preventive and therapeutic measures, including vaccines and antiviral
agents, likely will be in short supply, as well as some antibiotics to treat
secondary infections.
• Based on the CDC’s preliminary estimates, economic losses from the next
pandemic may range from $71 to $166 billion, depending on the attack rate
(MHA, 2011).

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) has created a Pandemic Severity Index to
help communicate with the general public. The index is based on 5 categories
representing the percentage of those infected that die. The highest category of the index

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assumes that over 2% of those infected will day. Based on the US population in 2006,
an estimated 1.8 million or more people would die during a category 5 pandemic.

Table 3-41: Pandemic Severity Index
Projected Number of
Deaths, US Population,
Category Case Fatality Ratio 2006*
Category 1 <0.1% <90,000
Category 2 0.1% - <0.5% 90,000 - <450,000
Category 3 0.5% - <1.0% 450,000 - <900,000
Category 4 1.0% - < 2.0% 900,000 - <1,800,000
Category 5 ≥2.0% ≥1,800,000
Source: Center for Disease Control- http://www.cdc.gov/media/pdf/MitigationSlides.pdf
* assumes 30% illness rate

The CDC also provides information that illustrated the types of actions that a community
may need to enact during times of pandemic. These actions are based on the goal of
reducing contact between individuals.

Table 3-42: Community Strategies by Pandemic Flu Severity
Pandemic Severity Index
Interventions by Setting 1 2 and 3 4 and 5
Home
Voluntary isolation of ill at home; combine
with use of antiviral treatments as Recommended Recommended Recommended
available and indicated
Voluntary quarantine of household
members in homes with ill persons;
Generally Not
consider combining with antiviral Consider Recommended
Recommended
prophylaxis is effective, feasible, and
quantities sufficient
School: Child Social Distancing
Dismissal of students from schools and
Generally Not Consider: Recommend:
school-based activities, and closure of
Recommended ≤ 4 weeks ≤ 12 weeks
child care programs
Reduce out-of-school contacts and Generally Not Consider: Recommend:
community mixing Recommended ≤ 4 weeks ≤ 12 weeks
Workplace/Community: Adult Social Distancing
Decrease number of social contacts (e.g.,
Generally Not
encourage teleconferences, alternatives to Consider Recommended
Recommended
face-to-face meetings
Increase distance between persons (e.g., Generally Not
Consider Recommended
reduce density in public transit, workplace) Recommended
Modify, postpone, or cancel selected
public gatherings to promote social Generally Not
Consider Recommended
distance (e.g., stadium events, theater Recommended
performances)
Modify workplace schedules and practices Generally Not
Consider Recommended
(e.g., telework, staggered shifts) Recommended
Source: Center for Disease Control- http://www.cdc.gov/media/pdf/MitigationSlides.pdf

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Past Occurrences

Epidemic influenza, an age-old infectious disease, results in over 30,000 deaths in the
United States every year and is a significant disease. Since the early 1900s, four
influenza pandemics have swept the globe, although none have compared to the
infamous Spanish Flu event of 1918-1919, which killed more than 20 million people. The
1957 Asian Flu, the 1968 Hong Kong Flu, and the 2009 H1N1 pandemics all saw
increased illnesses and deaths compared to seasonal outbreaks, although they weren’t
nearly as virulent as the 1918 strain. The 1957 epidemic killed about 70,000 people in
the United States, mostly the elderly and chronically ill. Another 34,000 Americans died
from the 1968 epidemic. While both of these latter epidemics cost many lives, neither
was as severe as the Spanish Flu of 1918, which claimed from 500,000 to 700,000 lives
in the U.S alone. The impact from this pandemic was felt especially hard in society as its
primary victims were mostly young, healthy adults. In addition to those three pandemics,
several “pandemic scares” have occurred (MHA, 2011.)

H1N1, commonly known as the swine flu, is a new virus that was first detected in the
United States in April of 2009 and declared a pandemic by the World Health
Organization on June 11, 2009. This virus has been referred to as swine flu because
laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to
flu viruses that normally occur in pigs. However, further study has shown that it is very
different from the virus that normally circulates in pigs. It has two genes from flu viruses
that normally circulate in pigs, but it also has genes from flu viruses that normally
circulate in birds and other genes from flu viruses that normally afflict humans
(TCHD,2010). Figure 3-17 below illustrates the confirmed cases of Influenza in three
counties in 2010.

Figure 3-17: Influenza Confirmed Cases

Another communicable disease outbreak that commonly affects this community due to
the influx of tourists from all around the world, is Norovirus. There have been numerous
Norovirus outbreaks in Taney County within the last ten years that has impacted many
other jurisdictions. For instance, in 2006, an outbreak of Norovirus sickened 524
individuals, an attack rate of 20.8 per 100 individuals. It involved 47 bus tour groups and

July 2012- Draft 3-62
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

10 family tour groups. Among those ill, were local first responders, theater employees,
hotel employees and attraction employees. Twelve bus groups reported illnesses prior to
arriving in Branson. Ten different states and two Canadian provinces were affected by
this outbreak (TCHD,2006).

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. You can get it from an
infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The
virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed. This leads you to have
stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea and to throw up. These symptoms can be serious
for some people, especially young children and older adults (CDC, 2012).

Figure 3-18: Cases of Norovirus by Date of Onset
Number of Cases By Date of Onset

35
Case
30
Case With Onset Prior
to Arriving
25 Norovirus Laboratory
Confirmed Case
Number

20

15

10

5

0
6

6

6
06

06

06

06

06

06
00

00

00
20

20

20

20

20

20
/2

/2

/2
1/

8/

5/

5/

2/

9/
/1

/8

/6
/1

/1

/2

/1

/2

/2
11

11

12
10

10

10

11

11

11

Date of Onset

Probability and Severity Rating

Health officials agree there is a high probability we will see another pandemic influenza
virus emerge sometime in the future. In fact, a worldwide influenza outbreak on the scale
and severity of the Spanish Flu is potentially possible. Should such a virulent virus strike
today, the results in Missouri and elsewhere could be catastrophic without adequate
planning and resources. Today, a much larger percentage of the world’s population is
clustered in cities, making them ideal breeding grounds for epidemics. Additionally, the
speed of air travel means the virus literally could be spread around the globe within
hours. Under such unique conditions, there may be very little warning time. Most experts
believe we will have just a few days, possibly a few weeks, between the time that a
dangerous new influenza strain is identified and the time that outbreaks begin to occur in
the U.S. Outbreaks are expected to occur simultaneously throughout much of the nation,
preventing shifts in human and material resources that normally occur with other natural
disasters. These and many other aspects make influenza pandemic unlike any other
public health emergency or community disaster (MHA, 2011).

Environmental concerns are also on the rise, with recent scientific data emphasizing the
long-term impacts that air and water pollution can have on the ecology of the affected

July 2012- Draft 3-63
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

areas. With continued enforcement of regulatory standards for airborne releases and
discharges to waterways, routine emissions by industrial facilities are relatively easy to
monitor and control. However, the potential always remains for unauthorized dumping
and releases, and for failure of systems to control industrial discharges, resulting in
potential environmental emergencies (MHA, 2011).

Federal Disaster Declarations

Between 2002 and 2011 there were 12 disaster declarations in Taney County, see Table
3-43. Reviewing the disaster declarations allows the county to be better prepared for
natural disasters in the future by learning what damage each event may cause. All of
these declarations covered multiple counties; therefore, the damage assessment reflects
damage done to all counties

Table 3-43: Federal Disaster Declarations--Taney County 2002-2012
Date Damage
Number Type of Assistance Description
Declared Assessment
Individual and Public Severe Storms, Tornadoes and Damage
1980 Assistance Flooding 05/09/2011 Assessment
3317 Public Assistance Severe Winter Storms 02/03/2011
1822 Public Assistance Severe Winter Storms 02/17/2009
3303 Public Assistance Severe Winter Storms 01/30/2009
Individual and Public Severe Storms, Flooding, & Damage
1809 Assistance Tornadoes 11/13/2008 Assessment
Individual and Public Damage
1773 Assistance Severe Storms and Flooding 06/25/2008 Assessment
Individual and Public Damage
1749 Assistance Severe Storms & Flooding 03/19/2008 Assessment
3281 Public Assistance Severe Winter Storms 12/12/2007
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, &
1631 Individual Assistance Flooding 03/16/2006
3232 Public Assistance Hurricane Katrina Evacuation 09/10/2005
Severe Storms, Tornadoes, &
1463 Individual Assistance Flooding 05/06/2003
Individual and Public
1412 Assistance Severe Storms & Tornadoes 05/06/2002
Source: http://www.fema.gov/femaNews/disasterSearch.do

July 2012- Draft 3-64
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-19: Taney County Hazard Composite Map

TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
COMPOSITE

11 in - 5,833 feet!
~rsingHanes

•
Cl
OaycareAdult

Hospital

M02010 Dams
b Pdice Stations

..
•
Fire Stations
Child Care
Schools
Wildfire Prone Areas
- figh

July 2012- Draft 3-65
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-20: Branson Hazard Composite Map

..

It in = 3,875 feetl

-
Wildfire Ptone Areas

,......,
....

______·-__-- ..
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July 2012- Draft 3-66
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-21: Forsyth Hazard Composite Map

-·-t
--r---."."·. . ...... .--
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July 2012- Draft 3-67
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-22: Hollister Hazard Composite Map

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til Fec~~bnAENQ

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July 2012- Draft 3-68
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-23: Kirbyville Hazard Composite Map
A BRA HAM RD

TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
KJRBYVILLE COMPOSITE

I
~
&l
li"'
0 "'
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ilb

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V l !7777771 1~»-YWAxldpu

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July 2012- Draft 3-69
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-24: Merriam Woods Hazard Composite Map

TANEY COUNTY MISSOURI
MERRIAM WOODS COMPOSITE

•
~

/ !

July 2012- Draft 3-70
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-25: Rockaway Beach Hazard Composite Map

Merriam Woods -.,.,
.Q/.11

July 2012- Draft 3-71
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Figure 3-26: Taneyville Hazard Composite Map

0

0

11 in - 583 feet I

Taneyville

- - Sinkhole Area

..
~ 100-Year Floodplain

.a
Schools
Child Care

4.1. Fire Stations
~!I- Police Stations

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July 2012- Draft 3-72
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Multi-jurisdictional Risk Assessment
The multi-jurisdictional risk assessment developed in this plan includes a hazard
identification and analysis by jurisdiction. This analysis is an attempt to delineate the
threat level of all natural hazards that can affect each participating jurisdiction in Taney
County. Likely locations of some hazards can be identified in each of the lengthy hazard
profiles previously presented in this section of the plan and in the composite hazard
maps, as was their intent. Other regional hazards defy assigning variability to
geographically dispersed communities. A method was developed, which capitalized on
the data available from the NCDC regarding past events for each hazard. In many
cases, a particular jurisdiction was identified as the location associated with individual
events. A multi-criteria evaluation of the data was used to develop the hazard
identification and analysis described in the plan. In the end, the analysis did not solely
rely on these data but was subjected to a common sense review by representatives from
each jurisdiction. School districts were surveyed and self-reported the threat of each of
these hazards based on specialized knowledge of their own facilities and boundaries.

The second component of the risk assessment is a vulnerability assessment based on
estimates of potential loss by jurisdiction. This assessment defines vulnerability in terms
of the general type and number of existing buildings and critical facilities located within
each jurisdiction. The estimates of potential loss are based on a percentage of damage
relating to the threat level developed in the risk identification and analysis by jurisdiction
and summarized in the Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction in Table
3-41.

Natural Hazards Risk Identification and Analysis by Jurisdiction

In order to identify and assess variability of the risk of natural hazards that can affect
each jurisdiction in Taney County, data for each recorded hazard events on the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website and ranking of what
constitutes a low, moderate or high probability and severity of an event from the 2007
State Hazard Mitigation Plan were used in a multi-criteria assessment. Based on the
NOAA records, data for past events were divided into categories of crop and other
damage resulting from the event, number of causalities and injuries due to the event,
and the probability of the event based on the number of occurrences divided by the
number of years in the timeframe from the first documented event to the year of the last
recorded event. The numeric values for these categories were collapsed in the three
ordered classes of low, moderate and high based on the following definitions from the
2007 State Hazard Mitigation Plan:

Probability—The likelihood that the hazard will occur.

 Low—The hazard has little or no chance of happening (Less than 1 percent
chance of occurrence in any given year.).
 Moderate—The hazard has a reasonable probability of occurring (Between 1
and 10 percent chance of occurrence in any given year).
 High—The probability is considered sufficiently high to assume that the event will
occur (Between 10 and 100 percent chance of occurrence in any given year).

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Severity—The deaths, injuries, or damage (property or environmental) that could result
from the hazard.

 Low—Few or minor damage or injuries are likely.
 Moderate—Injuries to personnel and damage to property and the environment is
expected.
 High—Deaths and major injuries and damage will likely occur

Functional Loss – The down-time that occurs

 Low—Less than 24 hours
 Moderate—1 to 4 days
 High— 5 days or longer

Damages per Event
The damages in dollar amounts reported for each type of hazard event for each
jurisdiction associated with that event were added together and then divided by the
number of events creating the value for damages per event. For the purposes of this
analysis; low damage equaled $0 - $49,000, moderate equaled $50,000 - $99,000 and
high equaled $100,000 or more.

Injuries and Deaths per Event
Similar to damages per event, a total of all injuries and deaths associated with all events
identified with certain jurisdictions were divided by the number of those events. This
number was reclassified into low; 0-1 person affected, moderate; 1.1-4 persons affected
and high; 4.1 or more persons affected.

Probability of Future Events
This criterion was broken down according to the definitions used in the State Plan
where; low equaled less than 1%, moderate equaled 1%-10% and high was a value
greater than 10%.

In order to sum and divide the classes of low, moderate and high, these ordered levels
were assigned a value of 1 for low, 2 for moderate and 3 for high. For each jurisdiction,
the value of 1, 2, or 3 corresponding to each category were added together and divided
by 3 creating a cumulative ranking of threat level for individual jurisdictions. These
values were then converted back to ordered statements of low, moderate and high
based on values of less than 1.6 (low), 1.6 – 2.0 (moderate) and greater than 2.0 (high).
Finally, this information was presented to the Plan Review and Advisory Committee
meeting for a common sense review in a format similar to Table 3-41. It was explained to
the committee that the NOAA data may not be comprehensive, meaning that not all
events may have been reported, and that there were some serious issues in the method
used and the definitions of the classes. In addition, graphic displays of the geographic
specific hazards by jurisdiction maps were presented on posters and highly visible
during the meeting. Based on input from meeting attendees, many values were changed
to where they made more sense. For instance, the final results from the analysis and
review are presented in the Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction in
Table 3-44.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-44: Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction

Severe T-storm

Severe Winter
(Riverine and

Dam Failure
Earthquake
Heat Wave

Sinkhole
Tornado

Weather

Drought

Wildfire
Hazards

Flash)

Flood

EID
Jurisdiction
Taney County H H H M L M L L/H H L
Municipalities
Branson H H H H L M L M L L
Bull Creek M H H M L M L L H L
Forsyth H H H M L M L L/H M L
Hollister H H H M L M L L L L
Merriam Woods H H M M L M L L H L
Kirbyville H H L M L M L L L L
Rockaway Beach H H H M L M L M L L
Taneyville H H L M L M L L L L
School Districts
Bradleyville R-I
Taneyville R-II H H L M L M L L L L
Forsyth R-III H H M H L L L L M L
Branson R-IV
Hollister R-V H/L H M H L L L L M L
Kirbyville R-VI H H M M L M L M L L
Mark Twain R-VIII
Colleges and Other Special District
OTC H H L M L L M L L L
Taney Co. Sewer M M H M L L L M M L
District
Taney Co. Ambulance M M L M L M L L L L
District

Vulnerability Assessment and Estimates of Potential Loss by Jurisdiction

Methodology
The vulnerability assessment further defines and quantifies populations, buildings,
critical facilities, and other community assets at risk to natural hazards by jurisdiction.
The vulnerability assessment for this plan is based on the methodology described in the
FEMA publication Understanding Your Risks—Identifying Hazards and Estimating
Losses (2002). This section describes overall vulnerability and estimates potential losses
for buildings, infrastructure and critical facilities located in identified hazard areas. The
vulnerability assessment was conducted based on the best available data and the

July 2012- Draft 3-75
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

significance of the hazard by jurisdiction in Table 3-44. Data to support the vulnerability
assessment was collected from the following sources:

• County Assessor’s GIS parcel data (appraised valuations)
• Missouri United School Insurance Council
• FEMA’s HAZUS-MH loss estimation software
• Insured replacement cost of assets provided by participating jurisdictions
• Existing plans and reports

The methods used to calculate potential losses in dollar amounts vary according to the
natural hazard addressed and type of entity or jurisdiction. The methods used to
estimate losses for local governments are not the same for school districts. Local
government loss estimates were first calculated for identified and profiled hazards that
can affect the entire planning area. These hazards include drought, earthquake, extreme
heat, tornado/thunderstorms and winter storms. The corresponding values of low,
medium and high for each jurisdiction in the Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability in
Table 3-44 were converted to a damage factor or vulnerability percentage of 1%, %5
and 10% respectively.

The damage factors for individual jurisdictions were applied to a community’s inventory
of assets by building type. A GIS parcel file with residential, commercial and agricultural
appraised valuation was the primary source used to create the total replacement costs
for these building types and contents. Critical facilities included in the local government
loss estimations are the essential facilities listed in Table 3-41, main government
buildings and water treatment facilities. Schools are not included in the local government
loss estimates because they are included in the loss estimates for school districts. Day
care centers and nursing homes are assumed to have been captured in the total
commercial appraised value in the jurisdiction that it is located.

Replacement values for local government critical facilities were based on insured
replacement values for buildings and contents provided by local jurisdictions. The
corresponding damage factor for each jurisdiction from the Overall Summary of Hazard
Vulnerability in Table 3-44 was applied to that jurisdiction’s inventory of assets
replacement values to create a dollar value of potential losses. Drought and extreme
heat are not likely to result in damage to structures but are more likely to affect the
contents housed in buildings. Therefore, the damage factors for these two hazards were
only applied to the contents values.

After the tables depicting loss estimations for area wide hazards for local governments,
local area hazard loss estimates for each participating local government are presented.
Local area hazards include dam failure, flooding (riverine and flash), sinkholes and
wildfire where certain hazard prone areas can be defined. The loss estimates for local
area hazards depict losses to structures in the hazard prone areas only. A brief
description of the method used for these hazards is provided here:

 Dam failure loss estimates were included for unincorporated Taney County only
due to the only significant hazard dam is located in a rural east central portion of
the county. To estimate the losses from the failure of this dam a ten meter buffer
of the floodplain up to five miles downstream of the dam was used as a likely
inundation area. HAZUS-MR4 census blocks that intersected with the likely
inundation area were used to generate a building count within the hazard area.

July 2012- Draft 3-76
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

An average replacement value for the type of structures based on appraised
valuations in unincorporated Taney County was multiplied by the number of
structures in the hazard area to generate the loss estimation for this hazard
event.

 Flood loss estimates were developed using a method similar to the one used for
dam failure. All HAZUS census blocks situated within 100 feet of the 100 year
floodplain were selected to compile building counts by type for each participating
municipality and the unincorporated balance of Taney County. It is important to
note that this method created building counts for areas well outside the 100 year
floodplain but in an effort to depict losses from flash flooding as well, the entire
building count for all census blocks within 100 feet of the 100 year floodplain
would be more prone to flash flooding due to the proximity to natural drainage
features in the area. Average replacement values for each community were then
applied to the HAZUS building counts before the damage factor for the
community was applied to create a loss estimate for both types of flood events.

 Sinkhole loss estimates were established using GIS processes and appraised
valuations. A sinkhole point shapefile acquired from MSDIS was used to run a
point density function in GIS. The output from this function created values for
individual pixels based on a count of sinkhole features within a specified radius
from each pixel. The values of all pixels were grouped into 3 classes from low to
high creating three zones. The zone with the highest pixel values was
designated as the hazard prone area for sinkholes. The map layer of the hazard
prone area was used as an overlay on the parcel data to generate the loss
estimates from this hazard by jurisdiction.

 Wildfire loss estimates were created by overlaying the SILVIS lab Wildland Urban
Interface census blocks over the HAZUS census blocks. If the census blocks
were categorized as medium or high interface or intermix, its coincident HAZUS
census block was used to generate building counts for each community. The
average appraised valuation by building type in each community was applied to
the number of structures before the appropriate damage factor was calculated.

Loss estimates for school districts were developed using Missouri United School
Insurance Council (MUSIC) replacement values for school district structures and
contents. This information was provided by all school districts that participated in the
plan. The Hazard Vulnerability to each identified hazard was self reported by each
participating school district through a survey instrument. Unlike potential loss estimations
for local municipal and the county government, the loss estimations for school districts
include a value for the number of building occupants and a projection of losses for future
development of district facilities based on the growth percentage of the municipality or
unincorporated area of the county which it serves. The growth percentage for
communities is based the difference between the 2000 census and 2008 population
estimates from Table 2-2 in Part II and accounts for growth over the next eight years.

Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
A critical facility may be defined as one that provides essential public safety or mitigation
functions during response or recovery operations. Table 3-45 below gives examples of
critical facilities, high potential loss facilities and transportation and lifelines as they are

July 2012- Draft 3-77
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

defined for the purposes of this analysis. Table 3-46 describes the number and types of
these facilities by jurisdiction. Immediately following Table 3-46 are the potential loss
estimates by hazard and by jurisdiction.

The loss estimates are based on the summary of hazard vulnerability by jurisdiction from
Table 3-44. Structural loss and the number of people affected is defined as a percentage
of the replacement value of buildings and contents or a percentage of the number of
people assumed to be present in certain building types. Standard percentages of 1, 5 or
10 were used as damage factors as they correspond to the jurisdictions hazard
vulnerability in Table 3-44.

Table 3-45: Critical Facilities, Definitions and Examples
Essential Facilities High Potential Loss Failure Transportation and Lifelines
Hospital and other medical Power Plants Railroad and facilities
facilities
Police Stations Dams and Levees Airports
Fire Stations Hazardous material sites Water Treatment facilities
Schools Natural gas facilities, Pipelines
Day Care Centers Communication facilities
Nursing Homes
Main government buildings
Source: FEMA HAZUS-MH MR

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 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-46: Inventory of Critical Infrastructure in Taney County
Medical Main Gov’t. Police Fire 911 Nursing Senior
Dams Schools
Clinics Buildings Stations Stations Station Homes Centers
Bradleyville 1 2 -- -- 1 2 -- -- --
Branson 12 8 1 1 7 6 -- 2 1
Bull Creek -- 1 -- -- -- -- -- -- --
Forsyth 4 5 -- 1 3 4 -- 2 1
Hollister 6 5 -- 1 2 4 -- 1 --
Kirbyville -- 2 -- -- 3 2 -- -- --
Merriam Woods -- 1 1 1 1 -- -- -- --
Rockaway Beach -- 2 -- 1 -- -- -- -- --
Tayneyville -- 3 -- -- 1 1 -- -- --
Taney County -- 13 6 1 10 1 -- 2 --
Total 23 42 8 6 28 20 -- 7 2

Area Wide Vulnerability Assessment Tables for Participating Jurisdictions

Table 3-47 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Unincorporated Taney
County Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $1,098,738,145 $140,521,028 $8,337,429
Contents x $549,369,073 $140,521,028 $8,337,429
Building and Contents x $1,648,107,218 $281,042,056 $16,674,858
Estimated Number of buildings 13,131 895 926
Hazard
Drought 1% $16,481,072 $2,810,421 $166,749
Earthquake 1% $16,481,072 $2,810,421 $166,749
Heatwave 5% $82,405,361 $14,052,103 $833,743
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $164,810,722 $28,104,206 $1,667,486
Winter Storms 10% $164,810,722 $28,104,206 $1,667,486

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 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-48 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Branson Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $625,583,514 $786,578,248 $4,024
Contents x $312,791,757 $786,578,248 $4,024
Building and Contents x $938,375,271 $1,573,156,496 $8,048
Estimated Number of buildings 5,493 1,787 4
Hazard
Drought 1% $9,383,753 $15,731,565 $80
Earthquake 1% $9,383,753 $15,731,565 $80
Heatwave 5% $46,918,764 $78,657,825 $402
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $93,837,527 $157,315,650 $805
Winter Storms 10% $93,837,527 $157,315,650 $805

Table 3-49 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Village of Bull Creek Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $5,382,537 $197,160 $0
Contents x $2,691,269 $197,160 $0
Building and Contents x $8,073,806 $394,320 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 53 3 0
Hazard
Drought 1% $80,738 $3,943 $0
Earthquake 1% $80,738 $3,943 $0
Heatwave 5% $403,690 $19,716 $0
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $807,381 $39,432 $0
Winter Storms 10% $807,381 $39,432 $0

July 2012- Draft 3-80
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-50 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Forsyth Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $63,576,564 $15,227,807 $18,814
Contents x $31,788,282 $15,227,807 $18,814
Building and Contents x $95,364,846 $30,455,614 $37,628
Estimated Number of buildings 891 119 1
Hazard
Drought 1% $953,648 $304,556 $376
Earthquake 1% $953,648 $304,556 $376
Heatwave 5% $4,768,242 $1,522,781 $1,881
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $9,536,485 $3,045,561 $3,763
Winter Storms 10% $9,536,485 $3,045,561 $3,763

Table 3-51 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Hollister Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $82,307,910 $43,318,550 $7,676
Contents x $41,153,955 $43,318,550 $7,676
Building and Contents x $123,461,865 $86,637,100 $15,352
Estimated Number of buildings 1,249 157 1
Hazard
Drought 1% $1,234,619 $866,371 $154
Earthquake 1% $1,234,619 $866,371 $154
Heatwave 5% $6,173,093 $4,331,855 $768
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $12,346,187 $8,663,710 $1,535
Winter Storms 10% $12,346,187 $8,663,710 $1,535

July 2012- Draft 3-81
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-52 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Kirbyville Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $2,585,016 $1,015,639 $29,874
Contents x $1,292,508 $1,015,639 $29,874
Building and Contents x $3,877,524 $2,031,278 $59,748
Estimated Number of buildings 58 20 4
Hazard
Drought 1% $38,775 $20,313 $597
Earthquake 1% $38,775 $20,313 $597
Heatwave 5% $193,876 $101,564 $2,987
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $387,752 $203,128 $5,975
Winter Storms 10% $387,752 $203,128 $5,975

Table 3-53 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Village of Merriam
Woods Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $30,986,156 $4,005,625 $4,047
Contents x $15,493,078 $4,005,625 $4,047
Building and Contents x $46,479,234 $8,011,250 $8,094
Estimated Number of buildings 827 11 1
Hazard
Drought 1% $464,792 $80,113 $81
Earthquake 1% $464,792 $80,113 $81
Heatwave 5% $2,323,962 $400,563 $405
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $4,647,923 $801,125 $809
Winter Storms 10% $4,647,923 $801,125 $809

July 2012- Draft 3-82
 Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-54 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Rockaway
Beach Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $30,986,156 $4,005,625 $4,047
Contents x $15,493,078 $4,005,625 $4,047
Building and Contents x $46,479,234 $8,011,250 $8,094
Estimated Number of buildings 424 40 1
Hazard
Drought 1% $464,792 $80,113 $81
Earthquake 1% $464,792 $80,113 $81
Heatwave 5% $2,323,962 $400,563 $405
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $4,647,923 $801,125 $809
Winter Storms 10% $4,647,923 $801,125 $809

Table 3-55 Area Wide Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Taneyville Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at
at 50%) 100%) 100%) 150%) Totals
Building Only x $4,613,583 $863,372 $1,694
Contents x $2,306,792 $863,372 $1,694
Building and Contents x $6,920,375 $1,726,744 $3,388
Estimated Number of buildings 157 13 1
Hazard
Drought 1% $69,204 $17,267 $34
Earthquake 1% $69,204 $17,267 $34
Heatwave 5% $346,019 $86,337 $169
Tornado/T-Storms 10% $692,037 $172,674 $339
Winter Storms 10% $692,037 $172,674 $339

July 2012- Draft 3-83
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Tables for Participating Jurisdictions

Table 3-56 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Unincorporated
Taney County Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 1%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $63,233,296.49 $6,782,690.74 $288,011.84
Contents x $31,616,648.25 $6,782,690.74 $288,011.84
Building and Contents x $94,849,944.74 $13,565,381.47 $576,023.68
Estimated Number of buildings 7,557 432 32

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $570,613.86 $48,471.76 $14,086.47
Contents x $285,306.93 $48,471.76 $14,086.47
Building and Contents x $855,920.79 $96,943.52 $28,172.94
Estimated Number of buildings 1,096 38 3

Wildfire 10%
Building Only x $46,715,825.63 $3,909,467.58 $9,003.70
Contents x $23,357,912.82 $3,909,467.58 $9,003.70
Building and Contents x $70,073,738.45 $7,818,935.15 $18,007.40
Estimated Number of buildings 5,583 249 10

July 2012- Draft 3-84
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-57 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Branson Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 5%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $36,002,852.91 $37,966,681.58 $13.92
Contents x $18,001,426.45 $37,966,681.58 $13.92
Building and Contents x $54,004,279.36 $75,933,363.17 $27.84
Estimated Number of buildings 1,773 189 7

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Wildfire 1%
Building Only x $4,049,836.11 $1,452,550.77 $100.60
Contents x $2,024,918.06 $1,452,550.77 $100.60
Building and Contents x $6,074,754.17 $2,905,101.53 $201.20
Estimated Number of buildings 3,556 330 10

July 2012- Draft 3-85
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-58 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Village of Bull Creek Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 1%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $1,330,400.65 $13,144.00 $0
Contents x $665,200.33 $13,144.00 $0
Building and Contents x $1,995,600.98 $26,288.00 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 131 2 0

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Wildfire 10%
Building Only x $1,330,400.65 $361,460.00 $0
Contents x $665,200.33 $361,460.00 $0
Building and Contents x $1,995,600.98 $722,920.00 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 131 2 0

July 2012- Draft 3-86
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-59 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Forsyth Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 5%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $2,504,531.31 $153,557.72 $0
Contents x $1,252,265.65 $153,557.72 $0
Building and Contents x $3,756,796.96 $307,115.44 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 351 12 0

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $119,464.95 $8,871.58 $188.14
Contents x $59,732.48 $8,871.58 $188.14
Building and Contents x $179,197.43 $17,743.16 $376.28
Estimated Number of buildings 181 5 1

Wildfire 5%
Building Only x $37,746,355.06 $3,519,031.03 $9,407.00
Contents x $18,873,177.53 $3,519,031.03 $9,407.00
Building and Contents x $56,619,532.59 $7,038,062.06 $18,814.00
Estimated Number of buildings 1,058 55 1

July 2012- Draft 3-87
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-60 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Hollister Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 1%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $7,683,828.91 $1,738,260.29 $2,302.80
Contents x $3,841,914.45 $1,738,260.29 $2,302.80
Building and Contents x $11,525,743.36 $3,476,520.57 $4,605.60
Estimated Number of buildings 1,166 63 3

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Wildfire 1%
Building Only x $1,144,666.45 $195,899.18 $230.28
Contents x $572,333.23 $195,899.18 $230.28
Building and Contents x $1,716,999.68 $391,798.35 $460.56
Estimated Number of buildings 1,737 71 3

July 2012- Draft 3-88
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-61 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Kirbyville Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 1%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $62,396.94 $10,156.39 $0
Contents x $31,198.47 $10,156.39 $0
Building and Contents x $93,595.41 $20,312.78 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 14 2 0

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Wildfire 1%
Building Only x $4,902.62 $0 $0
Contents x $2,451.31 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $7,353.92 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 11 0 0

July 2012- Draft 3-89
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-62 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Village of Merriam
Woods Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 1%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 5%
Building Only x $281,011.09 $0 $0
Contents x $140,505.54 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $421,516.63 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 15 0 0

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Wildfire 10%
Building Only x $3,420,841.65 $86,329.32 $0
Contents x $1,710,420.82 $86,329.32 $0
Building and Contents x $5,131,262.47 $172,658.63 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 913 17 0

July 2012- Draft 3-90
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-63 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
City of Rockaway
Beach Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 5%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 10%
Building Only x $1,446,995.02 $40,056.25 $404.70
Contents x $723,497.51 $40,056.25 $404.70
Building and Contents x $2,170,492.53 $80,112.50 $809.40
Estimated Number of buildings 198 4 1

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Wildfire 1%
Building Only x $370,518.42 $8,632.93 $40.47
Contents x $185,259.21 $8,632.93 $40.47
Building and Contents x $555,777.63 $17,265.86 $80.94
Estimated Number of buildings 507 17 1

July 2012- Draft 3-91
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-64 Local Area Hazard Vulnerability Percentages
Hazard
Value Building Types
Village of Taneyville Residential Commercial Agriculture Critical Facilities
% (Contents Valued (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued at (Contents Valued
at 50%) 100%) 100%) at 150%) Totals
Hazard
Dam Failure 1%
Building Only x
Contents x
Building and Contents x
Estimated Number of buildings

Flooding 1%
Building Only x $0 $0 $0
Contents x $0 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $0 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 0 0 0

Sinkhole 1%
Building Only x $46,135.83 $8,633.72 $16.94
Contents x $23,067.92 $8,633.72 $16.94
Building and Contents x $69,203.75 $17,267.44 $33.88
Estimated Number of buildings 187 5 0

Wildfire 1%
Building Only x $11,754.35 $0 $0
Contents x $5,877.18 $0 $0
Building and Contents x $17,631.53 $0 $0
Estimated Number of buildings 40 0 0

July 2012- Draft 3-92
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Vulnerability Assessment Tables for Taney County School Districts

Table 3-65 Vulnerability Assessment for Taney County School Districts

School District # of Enrolled # of Buildings # of Approx Value
Students Employees
Bradleyville R-1 239 1 35
Branson R-IV 4,545 343
Forsyth R-III 1,213 108
Hollister R-V 1,439 11 209 $50,800,367
Kirbyville R-IV 321 2 59 $10,966,453
Taneyville R-II 200 3 22 $5,532,494
Mark Twain R-VIII 59 1 8
TOTAL 8,016 629

July 2012- Draft 3-93
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-66
Tornado: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a
tornado event)
Tornado
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 10% 27 1 High
Branson R-IV 10% 489 High
Forsyth R-III 10% 132 High
Hollister R-V 10% 165 11 $5,080,037 High
Kirbyville R-IV 10% 38 2 $1,096,645 High
Taneyville R-II 10% 22 3 $553,249 High
Mark Twain R-VIII 10% 7 1 High
TOTAL
Note: Emergency shelters included in critical non-profits and schools.

Table 3-67
Flood: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a flood
event)
Flood
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 1% 3 1 Low
Branson R-IV 1% 49 Low
Forsyth R-III 1% 13 Low
Hollister R-V 1% 16 11 $508,004 Low
Kirbyville R-IV 1% 4 2 $109,665 Low
Taneyville R-II 5% 11 3 $276,624 Moderate
Mark Twain R-VIII 1% 1 1 Low
TOTAL

July 2012- Draft 3-94
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-68
Severe Winter Storm: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a
severe winter storm)
Severe Winter Storm
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 10% 27 1 High
Branson R-IV 10% 489 High
Forsyth R-III 10% 132 High
Hollister R-V 10% 165 11 $5,080,037 High
Kirbyville R-IV 10% 38 2 $1,096,645 High
Taneyville R-II 10% 22 3 $553,249 High
Mark Twain R-VIII 10% 7 1 High
TOTAL

Table 3-69
Drought: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a
drought event)
Drought
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 1% 3 1 Low
Branson R-IV 1% 49 Low
Forsyth R-III 1% 13 Low
Hollister R-V 1% 16 11 $508,004 Low
Kirbyville R-IV 1% 4 2 $109,665 Low
Taneyville R-II 1% 2 3 $55,325 Low
Mark Twain R-VIII 1% 1 1 Low
TOTAL

July 2012- Draft 3-95
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-70
Heat Wave: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a heat
wave event)
Heat Wave
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 5% 14 1 Moderate
Branson R-IV 5% 244 Moderate
Forsyth R-III 5% 66 Moderate
Hollister R-V 5% 82 11 $2,540,018 Moderate
Kirbyville R-IV 5% 19 2 $548,322 Moderate
Taneyville R-II 5% 11 3 $276,624 Moderate
Mark Twain R-VIII 5% 3 1 Moderate
TOTAL

Table 3-71
Earthquake: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to an
earthquake event)
Earthquake
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 1% 3 1 Low
Branson R-IV 1% 49 Low
Forsyth R-III 1% 13 Low
Hollister R-V 1% 16 11 $508,004 Low
Kirbyville R-IV 1% 4 2 $109,665 Low
Taneyville R-II 1% 2 3 $55,325 Low
Mark Twain R-VIII 1% 1 1 Low
TOTAL

July 2012- Draft 3-96
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-72
Dam Failure: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a dam
failure event)
Dam Failure
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 1% 3 1 Low
Branson R-IV 1% 49 Low
Forsyth R-III 1% 13 Low
Hollister R-V 1% 16 11 $508,004 Low
Kirbyville R-IV 1% 4 2 $109,665 Low
Taneyville R-II 1% 2 3 $55,325 Low
Mark Twain R-VIII 1% 1 1 Low
TOTAL

Table 3-73
Wild Fire: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to a wild
fire event)
Wild Fire
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 5% 14 1 Moderate
Branson R-IV 1% 49 Low
Forsyth R-III 5% 66 Moderate
Hollister R-V 5% 82 11 $2,540,018 Moderate
Kirbyville R-IV 1% 4 2 $109,664 Low
Taneyville R-II 5% 11 3 $276,624 Moderate
Mark Twain R-VIII 5% 3 1 Moderate
TOTAL
Note: Threat of wildfire exists in residential subdivisions and isolated developments scattered across the County.

July 2012- Draft 3-97
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 3: Risk Assessment

Table 3-74
Sink Holes: Taney County School District’s Vulnerability Assessment
(Estimates based on level of vulnerability from the table 3-42 “Overall Summary of Hazard Vulnerability by Jurisdiction” of each district to sink
hole event)
Sink Hole
School District Hazard # of People # of Property Functional
Value Affected Buildings Damage Loss
Bradleyville R-1 1% 3 1 Low
Branson R-IV 1% 48 Low
Forsyth R-III 1% 13 Low
Hollister R-V 1% 16 11 $508,003 Low
Kirbyville R-IV 1% 4 2 $109,664 Low
Taneyville R-II 1% 2 3 $55,324 Low
Mark Twain R-VIII 1% 1 1 Low
TOTAL

Vulnerability Assessment Tables for Special Districts

Table 3-75
Ozarks Technical Community College – Table Rock Campus Opening 2013
Hazard Hazard Property Functional
Value Damage Loss
Tornado 10% $800,000 High
Severe Thunder Storms 10% $800,000 High
Flood 1% $80,000 Low
Severe Winter Weather 5% $400 ,000 Moderate
Drought 1% $80,000 Low
Heat Wave 1% $80,000 Low
Earthquake 5% $400,000 Moderate
Dam Failure 1% $80,000 Low
Wild Fire 1% $80,000 Low
Sink Hole 1% $80,000 Low

July 2012- Draft 3-98
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Part 4: City/County Capability Assessment
Mitigation Management Policies
The Taney County Emergency Management Agency is charged with preparing for
disasters. This responsibility includes advising the Taney County Commission on
mitigation measures and implementing those measures deemed appropriate by the
commission. In general, the county’s policies encourage cooperation between the
various Taney County agencies and cooperation between county agencies and those of
neighboring jurisdictions.

Existing Plans
Taney County Emergency Operations Plan

The Taney County Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) is approved by the County
Commission and identifies facilities and resources that require special security during a
disaster, promotes the development and maintenance of mutual aid agreements with
nearby agencies, requires participation in drills and exercises, identifies vulnerabilities
within the county, and includes an evacuation plan. The EOP includes all-hazard
mitigation measures.

Taney County Master Plan

The Taney County Master Plan, developed and adopted by the county in 1999, sets
forth goals, objectives and policies to better manage growth and development in the
unincorporated areas of the county. One of the main goals is to encourage development
in and around already-developed areas to provide more efficient access to adequate
roadways, utilities, and emergency services.

Taney County Development Guidance Code

Adopted by the Taney County Commission in November 1984, the purpose of these
codes is to manage the growth and development of the unincorporated areas of Taney
County so as to achieve the objectives authorized by law according to RSMo 64.815,
RSMo 64.825, and RSMo 64.850. The Development Guide Code is a performance-
based zoning and subdivision regulation; the Code is reviewed on an annual basis and
updated as determined necessary. The most recent update was in May 2012.

Community Health Assessment for Taney County

The purpose of the 2008 assessment process was to provide a report to the community
regarding progress that has been made on previously identified priorities and to review
current trends that may require action to protect the health of the public. The previous
health assessment, in 2005, identified three priority areas that were presented to the
community to increase awareness and stimulate public health efforts. The priority areas
focused on tobacco use, obesity and family/domestic violence. From these priorities,
community meetings and groups met and early progress toward addressing these issues
was observed.

July 2012 4-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP)

The STIP is the Missouri Department of Transportation’s plan outline for transportation
system improvements programmed for a five year period. Programmed improvements
in the 2011-2015 relevant to Taney County include various pavement improvements on
Rte. 76, at the Rte. 65/Rte. 160 interchange, and on the ramps at interchanges with
Rtes. 106, F, Bee Creek Road, 248 and 76. There will be a replacement of interchange
ramps at Rte. 248 (Shepherd of the Hills Expressway/ Branson Landing Blvd. as well as
bridge improvements over Bull Shoals Lake.

Taney County Wastewater Master Plan

The Taney County Wastewater Master Plan, developed for the Taney County Regional
Sewer District in 1999, addresses the current and projected wastewater treatment needs
in sixteen of the twenty-one watersheds in Taney County, excluding the watershed areas
within the cities of Branson, Hollister, and Forsyth. The Taney County Regional Sewer
District is also working on relocation and raising a sewer lift station that flooded in 2008
and 2011.

City of Branson Comprehensive Plan

As of March 2012, they are in the final review stage for their 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

City of Forsyth Comprehensive Plan

Forsyth adopted their Comprehensive Plan in January 2003 and updated for 2010/2011.
This plan is used as a guide and as a legal basis in making land use and zoning
decisions

City of Rockaway Beach Comprehensive Plan

Rockaway Beach adopted a 2010 Comprehensive Plan in November. The purpose of
the plan is to provide a policy guide for the growth and future development of the city.

City of Hollister Comprehensive Plan

Hollister adopted their most recent Comprehensive Plan in 2005.

School Districts

Emergency procedures are in place for many of the school districts located within Taney
County. They conduct regular emergency drills for tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, and
other severe weather events. In addition, many districts have evacuation plans in place.
Kirbyville RVI, Taneyville RII, and Forsyth RIII have district-wide automated messaging
systems that can notify employees, students, and parents of any emergencies.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Mitigation Programs
The mitigation programs outlined below are primarily outlined in the Taney County
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). The county does have a floodplain ordinance, as
required by the National Flood Insurance Program (NIFP). It is the intent of these
mitigation programs to deal with hazards that can be potentially catastrophic to life and
property and to attempt to minimize those losses.

Tornado

The National Weather Service monitors atmospheric conditions and issues weather
forecasts. When threatening conditions are detected, the Weather Service will issue
either a tornado watch to indicate when conditions are favorable for tornadoes to
develop, or a tornado warning when a tornado is sighted or indicated by radar. The
burden of heeding warnings and taking proper action rests with individual communities
and citizens. Local Emergency Management Agencies have developed effective
community warning systems.

Riverine Flooding

Taney County Emergency Management Operations has established a plan for the onset
of floods. It contains an extensive plan and management practices for any flood hazards
that may affect the entire county or smaller secluded areas.

a. Protect human life and property.

b. National Weather Service will give advanced notice of flooding conditions to
the public to minimize loss of life and property.

c. Establish and designate areas to be evacuated.

d. Local authorities will take immediate steps to warn and evacuate citizens.

e. Local authorities will commit available resources before requesting
assistance from the next higher level of government.

f. Establish a secure perimeter to limit access to looters and sightseers.

g. Establish shelters and relief services for victims.

h. Establish a support system for those victims, whom are returned and require
assistance with the reestablishment of their homes.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Severe Winter Weather

Utility companies in Taney County engage in right of way tree trimming and brush
removal programs to mitigate problems of downed lines and poles that may be caused
by high winds or severe winter weather (ice and snow).

Heat Wave/Extreme Cold

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) outlines safety measures
that can be taken and are broadcast during times of excessive heat/cold from local and
regional radio and television stations.

Drought

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration provides the first warning to the
onset of drought. During times of drought, the NOAA monitors precipitation conditions
throughout the United States. The NOAA also issues guidelines for water conservation,
agriculture, and livestock preservation. It is the responsibility of local and regional
governmental agencies to alert the public to the onset of drought and conservation
practices to alleviate further water depletion.

Earthquake

The overall organization and emergency responsibilities for Taney County Emergency
Management operations are provided in the Emergency Operations Plan and its
annexes. In the event of an earthquake emergency such responses will be established:

a. Save lives and eliminate hazards which pose an immediate threat.

b. Establish reliable lines of communication between county and state
emergency management agencies.

c. Mobilize emergency medical services.

d. Maintain access to and from damaged areas (i.e., debris removal).

e. Establish procedures for resources management.

f. Mobilize search and rescue operations.

g. Evacuate hazardous structures (after inspection).

h. Maintain public health (potable water and disease control).

i. Establish and maintain public works (restore utilities).

j. Open shelters and establish feeding centers for persons unable to
return home.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Dam Failure

There are eight dams located in Taney County. The largest is Table Rock Dam, an
earth and rock-fill embankment dam, which is maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers in Little Rock. A failure of the Table Rock Dam would cause a major flash
flood along the White River basin west and south of the dam site. This could affect
thousands of residents and visitors, depending on the season.

A second dam down river, Ozark Beach Dam (also known as Powersite Dam), owned
and operated by the Empire District Electric Company, would also be affected if there is
a failure from Table Rock Dam.

Because dam failure is seldom sudden, it is assumed that the residents in the inundation
pathway along the river basin would receive adequate warning. The warning for Table
Rock would come from the project office located above the dam or the 911 service at the
Taney County Sheriff’s Office in Forsyth. They, in turn, would notify the public in the
danger area with the assistance of the rangers and local emergency responders. The
Empire District Electric Company also has an Emergency Action Plan in place
responsive to dam failure of the Ozark Beach or Table Rock dams.

There are also six earthen dams located in Taney County. The owners of the dams are
responsible for providing early warnings of problems at their dams, for developing
effective emergency action plans, and for coordinating these plans with local officials.
The Water Resources Program within the MDNR provides technical assistance and
informational resources for all dam owners.

Wildfire

The Missouri Department of Conservation works closely with each county by supplying
support to prevent wildfires. This support is an outreach program mainly to private
owners to carefully maintain their grounds. The program teaches safe practices for leaf
and rubbish burning and the clearance of the ground around wooded areas. There are
certain types of grasses and trees that are more resistant to fires and species diversity is
encouraged.

Capabilities and Responsibilities
The Taney County Emergency Operations Plan has a specific outline of emergency
functions for most of the departments within local government. This is in addition to their
day-to-day duties. The emergency management organization has set up the following
functional lines and definitions:

 Direction and Control: To direct and control emergency support personnel from
a centralized facility in the event of an emergency.

 Communications and Warning: To provide information and guidance
concerning available communications and warning capabilities.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

 Emergency Public Information: To provide the timely release of accurate
information in the event of a disaster or emergency.

 Damage Assessment: To organize existing personnel and communities so that
repair, outside assistance, safety and mitigation efforts are carried out in a
timely manner.

 Law Enforcement: To organize local law enforcement personnel and develop
procedures that will enable Barry County and its municipalities to provide law
enforcement services regardless of the situation.

 Fire and Rescue: To organize local firefighting resources and establish
procedures that will enable these resources to meet demands of a disaster
situation.

 Resource and Supply: To give local officials the ability to maintain a
continuous inventory of resources and to allocate these resources in a prompt
and orderly manner.

 Public Works: To organize public works resources so that they will be able to
perform the many tasks essential to an effective emergency (disaster)
response.

 Evacuation: To establish an organization and procedures for evacuation
operations.

 In-place Shelter: To establish an option of sheltering residents in place to
protect them from the effects of a disaster that threatens Barry County.

 Reception and Care: To provide for the temporary reception and care of
people displaced or evacuated from their residence because of an emergency
or disaster situation.

 Health and Medical: To establish an organization and procedure to provide
needed health and medical services following a disaster of any type.

The EOP also has functions for Hazardous Materials Response and Terrorism that are
not covered in this mitigation plan. The subsequent sections outline the responsibilities
and capabilities of local governments and private and public organizations in Taney
County.

County Commission/Mayor

The primary responsibility of the County Commission/Mayor is Direction and Control.
Under Direction and Control, the Presiding Commissioner/Mayor implements the
Emergency Operations Plan, activates response personnel, and directs emergency
response operations. They are also responsible for Emergency Public Information.
They either prepare and release public information themselves or designate a Public
Information Officer to be responsible for public information.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Law Enforcement

The Sheriff’s Department/Municipal Police have the primary responsibilities for Law
Enforcement, Communications and Warning, and Evacuation. These include, but are
not limited to, maintaining law and order, providing protection/security for critical facilities
and resources (EOC) and at the disaster site (private and public property), limit access
to the disaster scene and/or evacuated area, and provide law enforcement in reception
centers, lodging and feeding facilities, and emergency shelters. Law enforcement must
also provide communications and assist in the dissemination of warning to the public
(mobile units), provide traffic and crowd control, and assist in the evacuation of disaster
areas. Due to security reasons, the specific capabilities and staffing of law enforcement
are detailed only in the Emergency Management Director’s Manual.

Several organizations provide law enforcement in Taney County and share the burden of
all of these tasks. These entities include:

 Taney County Sheriff’s Department
 Missouri Highway Patrol
 Missouri Water Patrol
 Missouri Department of Conservation
 Branson Police Department
 Forsyth Police Department
 Rockaway Beach Police Department
 Merriam Woods Police Department
 Surrounding Law Enforcement Agencies: Stone County Sheriff’s Office,
Christian County Sheriff’s Office, Ozark County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas
County Sheriff’s Office

County Engineer

The County Engineer has the primary responsibility of Public Works. The
responsibilities include, but are not limited to, overall administration of the Public Works
service for Taney County, clearing roads and assisting in restoring utilities to facilitate
emergency operations, participating in cleanup and recovery operations, and assisting in
search and rescue operations. Due to security reasons, the specific capabilities of
Public Works are detailed only in the Director’s Manual.

Fire Departments/Districts

The Fire Departments/Districts have the primary responsibility for Fire and Rescue. This
includes, but is not limited to, controlling fires during emergency operations, assisting as
medical first responders, and directing search and rescue operations for victims. They
should also participate in tests, exercises, and drills and develop fire safety programs, to
include disaster situations, and present them to the public. The fire departments/districts
are outlined with their specific capabilities and staffing in the Emergency Management
Director’s Manual.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Emergency Management Director

The Emergency Management Director (EMD) for Taney County has the primary
responsibilities for Emergency Operations, In-place Shelter, and Reception and Care.
The EMD is responsible for the coordination of all emergency management activities and
EOC (emergency operations center) operations, ensuring proper functioning of the EOC
during emergency operations, and acting as liaison with other local, state, and federal
emergency management agencies.

In-place shelter responsibilities include, but are not limited to, conducting public
awareness programs and working with local officials to develop in-place protective
shelter plans. The EMD is responsible for seeing that necessary plans and procedures
are developed to ensure a capability for Reception and Care operations, which will
include coordinating Reception and Care operations with the American Red Cross.

County Health Department

The County Health Department has the primary responsibility of Health and Medical.
This includes, but is not limited to, identifying clinics, nursing homes, and other facilities
(i.e., school gyms) that could be expanded into emergency treatment centers for disaster
victims, instituting public health measures in reception centers, public shelters, and at
the disaster scene, and distributing antidotes, drugs, vaccines, etc., to shelters when
opened to the public. They need to develop and conduct programs for the public on
first-aid and public health practices and provide public health information to the PIO for
dissemination to the public. They should also train health and medical personnel and
volunteers in special procedures.

The Local Public Health Emergency Plan (LPHEP) outlines the actions to be taken by
the Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) in conjunction with local government officials
and cooperating private and volunteer organizations. A local public health emergency
can best be described as an event, which threatens the safety and well being of a
number of people in an area, i.e. bio-terrorism incident, anthrax, smallpox, pandemic
influenza, etc. The plan has been developed to:

 Reduce the vulnerability of citizens to any disasters that creates a local public
health emergency.
 Establish capabilities for protecting citizens from the effects of a local public
health emergency.
 Respond effectively to the actual occurrence of disasters.
 Provide for recovery in the aftermath of any local public health emergency.

County/City Clerk

The County/City Clerk has the primary responsibility of Resource and Supply. This
includes, but is not limited to, identifying potential resource needs, locating the required
resources in the community or finding their nearest location, and maintaining these
resource lists. They need to coordinate activities with other response agencies (i.e., Red
Cross) to ensure a coordinated and efficient allocation and with the PIO (public
information officer) in informing the public of the locations of available assistance. They

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

need to maintain records of services rendered, resources utilized and their costs,
unused resources, etc. for the emergency.

County Assessor

The County Assessor has the primary responsibility of Damage Assessment. This
includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a file of maps, pre-disaster photos, tax
assessments, etc., conducting private and public damage assessments,
accompanying/assisting state and federal damage assessment teams, and assisting in
preparing damage repairs reports to receive federal aid.

County Coroner

The County Coroner has no primary responsibility but is to assist in the support of Health
and Medical. The coroner must develop/maintain emergency mortuary plans and
procedures, coordinate with the Missouri Funeral Directors Association, and provide a
list of the deceased.

Ambulance Districts and Hospitals

The Taney County Ambulance District does not have a primary responsibility but is to
aid in the support of Health and Medical by being responsible for first responder
emergency medical care including initial triage, emergency medical treatment, and
patient transport. Taney County is supported by one hospital, Skaggs Community
Health Center located in Branson. This hospital has developed emergency plans in
accordance with state and federal regulations. Such plans are tested and exercised
regularly.

Utility Companies

The utility companies do not have a primary responsibility but help in the support of
Public Works. The private utility companies are responsible for the direction and control
of the services they provide to their customers. The utility companies serving Taney
County do maintain their own emergency plans.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross responds and provides emergency assistance to evacuees, disaster
victims and emergency workers involved in a disaster or threatened by a disaster.
Assistance may be in the form of fixed or mobile feeding stations, clothing, mass or
individual shelter, cleaning supplies, comfort kits, first aid, supplementary medical care
or blood and blood products. As soon as families are able to resume living as families
rather than in shelters, they are assisted with their verified urgent needs—rent, beds and
bedding, necessary furniture, fuel, cooking and eating utensils, health needs,
occupational supplies, transportation and minor home repairs. In doing so, the Red
Cross uses all available resources from the federal, state and local governments and
private agencies.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

Additional recovery assistance may be provided when other resources are not available
or are inadequate; such assistance may include repair or rebuilding of homes,
replacement of essential household contents or other needs.

The local chapter of the American Red Cross can and will call upon the regional and/or
national headquarters for assistance and additional trained staff and volunteers to aid in
the operations of disaster relief when necessary. The American Red Cross Ozarks
Chapter office is located at 1211 S. Glenstone, Springfield, Missouri (Greene County).

E-911 Emergency Communications Center/Mobile Command Center

E-911 communications for Taney County is located in Forsyth at the County Sheriff’s
Department. The primary EOC is located in the ground level courtroom in the Taney
County Courthouse in Forsyth. The alternate EOC is the Fire Station #1 in Branson.
Municipal EOCs are as follows:

• Branson: Primary EOC - Fire Station #1
Alternate EOC - Lower level of City Hall at Commercial & Maddux

• Hollister: Primary EOC - Hollister City Hall on Esplanade Street
Alternate EOC - Hollister City Police Department
-
• Forsyth: Primary EOC - Forsyth City Hall
Alternate EOC - Forsyth Police Department

• Rockaway Primary EOC - Rockaway Beach City Hall
Beach
Alternate EOC - Rockaway Beach Police Department

• Merriam Primary EOC - Merriam Woods City Hall
Woods
Alternate EOC - No alternate EOC

The Taney County Ambulance District mobile multi-agency command center located at
the district office in Hollister could be used as a mobile EOC, if necessary.

Advanced Warning Systems

Outdoor Warning sirens

There are presently 31 outdoor warning sirens in Taney County. These sirens can be
activated on the authority of the Fire or Police Chief of the community, the Taney County
Sheriff, or the Emergency Management Director. Warning in these communities and the
remaining areas of Taney County will be supplemented with mobile public address
operations by the Sheriff's Office, municipal police and local fire departments. Radio and
television stations will also broadcast warnings.

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

 The City of Branson has 23 sirens that are radio activated by the fire and police
departments.
 The City of Forsyth has four (4) sirens that are radio activated by the fire and
police departments.
 The City of Rockaway Beach has one siren that is manually activated.
 The Village of Taneyville has one siren that is manually activated.
 College of the Ozarks (Point Lookout) has one siren that is manually activated.
 Marriam Woods has one radio activated by Forsyth.

NOAA Weather Radios

Figure 4-1 shows the NOAA weather radio coverage and alerting areas for the NOAA
transmission station in Branson. The coverage statistics and maps are calculated using
a computer model that is sensitive to antenna performance in local conditions. The white
area in the figure includes nearly all of Taney County. The cross hatching indicates
alerting areas.

Figure 4-1: NOAA Radio Transmission Area

Source: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/Maps/PHP/site.php?State=MO&Site=KZZ43

Weather Spotters

Taney County has approximately 100 weather spotters, including firefighters from the
various fire protection districts or departments, law enforcement, EMTs, ham radio

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

operators, and citizens within the county. The last training course was held in March,
2005. Information on weather spotters is included in the Director’s Manual.

Assessment of Policies and Programs
Commitments to a Comprehensive Mitigation Program

Taney County and incorporated areas executed resolutions adopting the 2005 Plan as a
commitment to the mitigation. This commitment was demonstrated when the cities of
Forsyth and Merriam Woods joined the NFIP. Participation in the NFIP requires adoption
of flood plain management regulations. The only communities yet to join the NFIP are
Kirbyville and Taneyville where there are no special flood hazard areas. All county and
municipal floodplain management ordinances, and land development codes reduce
some of the county’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Branson, Hollister and Rockaway
Beach have updated or adopted comprehensive plans since 2005. All communities that
maintained building codes in the 2005 Plan updated to more recently published
standards. However, Taney County, Kirbyville and Bull Creek have not adopted
buildings codes. Taney County is highly vulnerable to tornadoes, severe thunderstorms,
flooding and severe winter weather. Participation in the NFIP and restrictions on flood
plain development are certainly the greatest mitigation actions in protecting the lives of
county residents. Taney County has made progress towards mitigation and is continuing
efforts to decrease the impact of a natural hazard. School districts and other special
districts have been added as participants in the Plan expanding the commitment to the
mitigation program.

Laws, Regulations and Policies Relating to Development in Hazard–Prone
Areas

The Taney County Commission has established a floodplain management program to
maintain the community’s eligibility for participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program. The county contracts with the Planning and Zoning Administrator to
administer the program. The county’s floodplain management ordinance specifies the
requirements for development in the identified special flood hazard areas. It states that
anyone building in the flood hazard area must first obtain a floodplain permit. It also sets
forth penalties for violation of the ordinance.

Taney County does require building permits. When a permit is requested the Planning
and Zoning Department is contacted and asked to survey the land. While conducting
the survey the administrator has the opportunity to review the building’s location in, near,
or around a floodplain. Once that has been established, the administrator can make
recommendations as to whether the proposed building meets the requirements of the
Floodplain Management ordinance.

Laws, Regulations and Policies Related to Hazard Mitigation in General

Taney County’s Development Guidance Code, which are reviewed and amended as
determined necessary on an annual basis, provide for general regulation of land
development location and intensity of development in the unincorporated portions of the
county, including requirements for stormwater drainage and other infrastructure. Several

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of the incorporated communities have adopted zoning and subdivision regulations which
contain general provisions related to hazard mitigation. Communities such as Merriam
Woods are in the process of updating their land development codes to better manage
the demands of growth.

How the County Determines Cost-Effectiveness and Manages/Implements
Programs

Cost-effectiveness is considered on a case-by-case basis, dependent upon the scope of
damages, estimated savings in future hazard events, the type of mitigation project, and
the probable hazard to human life in future events. For example, FEMA-funded
mitigation projects must meet the benefit/cost analysis criteria required by FEMA.

Current Criteria Used to Prioritize Mitigation Funding

Mitigation funding priority is primarily based upon a combination of anticipated damage
and injury/death impacts. It is a county priority to enable access to infrastructures and
emergency measures in areas of higher population concentration.

Integration of Hazard Mitigation with the City/County Department’s Plans

The Taney County Emergency Operations Plan outlines the departments and entities
responsible for implementing plans, actions and specific duties prescribed in the EOP.
The Taney County Commission has overall responsibility for integration of hazard
mitigation into county plans. The Taney County Emergency Management Director
advises the Commission on hazard mitigation. Several communities have emergency
management coordinators that are responsible for advising their governing boards on
hazard mitigation. In addition, the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) meets
bi-monthly. The Taney County EMA committee includes representatives from the fire
district, law enforcement, emergency medical and health organizations. The cities rely
on the county’s EOP. .

Mitigation Funding Options Including Federal, State, Local, and Private
Sources

Taney County and the municipalities have historically relied upon federal disaster
declarations in cases of heavy widespread damages. Funding sources have included
FEMA, SEMA, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and Department of
Economic Development (DED), and various other grant programs. In addition,
investments in infrastructures that have mitigating effects have been funded from
sources such as local tax revenues.

How County Government Meets Requirements for Hazard Mitigation
Funding

Taney County primarily meets requirements for hazard mitigation funding through its
participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. The county’s Emergency
Operations Plan, floodplain management ordinance, and Development Guidance Code
(zoning and subdivision regulations) include various measures addressing floodplain

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development, sewer and water installations, roadway construction, and stormwater
management.

City/Town/Village Policies and Development Trends

Table 4-1 notes the plans and regulations related to hazard mitigation that have been
adopted by the municipalities in Taney County. Of the nine communities in the county,
all but two have adopted subdivision regulations. Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, Kirbyville,
Merriam Woods, Rockaway Beach, and Taneyville have adopted other regulations as
well, including building codes, zoning regulations, and stormwater regulations. The
Village of Merriam Woods also has earthquake design regulations. The communities of
Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, Merriam Woods, and Rockaway Beach have adopted
comprehensive plans. Branson, Bull Creek, Hollister, Rockaway Beach, Forsyth and
Merriam Woods are all members of the NFIP as of July 2012.

Substantial new development has occurred over the past decade along the major
highway corridors in Taney County, including U.S. Highway 65 and Missouri Highways
76 and 160. Most major commercial developments are located in or near the cities.
Much of the new development in the unincorporated areas is residential development,
including both single family residential uses and multi-family. Condominium
development is also included in the multi-family category. Scattered residential uses are
also located along the major and secondary roads, with increasing levels of development
occurring in the Merriam Woods and Bull Creek areas, north of Branson and in the
Hollister area along Highway 65.

National recognition of the Branson area and the opening of many new music theatres in
the early 1990s have made tourism the economic mainstay in Taney County. Today,
Branson has over 40 theaters with more than 60,000 theater seats, 207 lodging facilities
with over 18,000 rooms and 200 restaurants with over 38,000 seats. At any given night,
there may by up to 20,000 visitors and employees located in the various hotels and
theaters on Branson’s main arterial road.

How Local Risk Assessments are Incorporated into Local Planning

The Taney County Emergency Operations Plan outlines the departments and entities
responsible for implementing plans, actions and specific duties prescribed in the EOP.
The governing bodies of each participating jurisdiction are responsible for integration of
hazard mitigation into local plans.

The most notable local planning mechanism is a community’s comprehensive or master
plan. The purpose of the comprehensive plan is goal oriented document that serves as a
policy guide for the future growth and physical development of the community. The plan
itself is not law but serves as the foundation for further ordinances and regulations
necessary to implement the plan. The mechanisms for implementing the comprehensive
plan are zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, building codes, storm water and
floodplain management regulations and capital improvement programs.

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The review, revision, update and adoption of local government land use controls, as
listed above, serve as the process by which multi-jurisdictional risk assessments are
integrated into local planning mechanisms that are ultimately administered through site
plan review, evaluation of development and redevelopment proposals and resource
allocation for local government. Table 4-1 and Table 4-2 list the plans and land
development regulations adopted by the incorporated communities in Taney County.

The local government floodplain management ordinance and development code provide
the primary means for incorporating risk assessment and mitigation into local planning.
Storm water regulations and building codes are also in effect in the county and several
of the incorporated communities. In terms of school districts, long-range strategic,
facilities, storm sheltering and evacuation plans are the mechanisms through which
jurisdictional risk assessments are incorporated.

Table 4-1: City Plans and Regulations
Master Building Earthquake Subdivision Stormwater Floodplain
Jurisdiction Zoning
Plan Codes Design Regulations Regulations Regulations
Taney
No No No No No No No
County
Branson Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Bull Creek No No No No Yes No Yes
Forsyth Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Hollister Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Kirbyville No Yes No No Yes No No
Merriam
Yes Yes Yes Yes No No Yes
Woods
Rockaway
Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes
Beach
Taneyville No Yes No No Yes No No

How Local Jurisdictions Have Incorporated Mitigation Strategies and Risk
Assessment into Planning Mechanisms

Since the original Taney County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2005, several
mitigation strategies and risk assessment have been incorporated into city planning
mechanisms. Forsyth has implemented not only a Comprehensive Plan, but stormwater
regulations and floodplain regulations. In addition, Rockaway Beach has gone from
having no zoning, to having a Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Regulations, Subdivision
Regulations, Stormwater Regulations, and Floodplain Regulations. Building Codes for
Branson, Forsyth, Hollister, and Rockaway Beach have all been updated as well.

In addition to these new city plans and regulations, Merriam Woods and Forsyth have
been added as members and participants in the NFIP, among the already participating
Branson, Bull Creek, Hollister, and Rockaway Beach.

*In Table 4-2, it is important to note that although the County’s capability assessment of
effectiveness for stormwater regulations, building regulations, and zoning regulations
may be low to medium, many of the cities within the county have taken positive

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Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan Part 4: Capability Assessment

preventative measures by implementing their own stormwater, zoning, and building
regulations.

Table 4-2: Taney County Capability Assessment
Policies and Effectiveness Rationale for
Programs Document for Mitigation Effectiveness
(ex. Zoning Reference (ex. (ex. low, (ex. low because allows
Ordinance) Comprehensive Plan medium, high) development in
& page number) floodplain)
Floodplain Taney County High New construction and
Management Floodplain improvements not
Management allowed without
Resolution/Ordinance requirements.
No. 60.3b, 4/22/2002
No. 60.3b amended
on 12/23/2002
Flood Insurance National Flood High The county administers
Insurance Program, and participates in the
#290435, NFIP.
joined 4/1/2002
Stormwater Some stormwater Medium* The county currently
Regulations management does not have separate
regulation included in stormwater regulations.
the Development The Development
Guidance Code. Guidance Code does
provide some regulation
for stormwater
management in new
developments.
Comprehensive Taney County Master Medium The Master Plan
Plan Plan, adopted contains goals,
12/27/1999 objectives and strategies
related to stormwater
management.
Zoning and Taney County Medium* Provides some regulation
Subdivision Development for stormwater
Regulations Guidance Code, management
adopted 11/1984 infrastructure in new
development.
Building N/A Low* The county does not
Regulations have building
regulations.
Right-of-way tree Utility companies’ Medium Removes tree
trimming/brush programs limbs/brush near power
removal lines to prevent power
outages caused by
heavy winds and winter
storms

July 2012 4-16
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 6: Plan Maintenance

Part 6: Plan Maintenance

Taney County has developed a method to ensure regular review and update of the
Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The County’s Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee
consists of the County Commissioners, municipal officials, members of the Taney
County Emergency Management Committee (fire, law enforcement, emergency medical,
and public health officers), officials responsible for various objectives in the Plan, and the
County EMD. Hazard mitigation objectives will be an agenda item, as needed, at bi-
monthly meetings of Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC).

The County EMD shall be responsible for contacting all Hazard Mitigation Planning
Committee members and organizing the annual meeting. The County Commission, the
EMD, and the participating municipalities will be responsible for monitoring and
evaluating the progress of the mitigation strategies in the Plan. They will review each
goal and objective to determine their relevance to changing situations in the county, as
well as changes in State or Federal policy, and to ensure that they are addressing
current and expected conditions. They also will review the risk assessment portion of
the Plan to determine if this information should be updated or modified. The parties
responsible for the various implementation actions will report on the status of their
projects, including which implementation processes worked well, any difficulties
encountered, how coordination efforts were proceeding, and which strategies should be
revised.

Following the annual review, the County EMD will have three months to update and
make changes to the Plan as determined necessary before submitting it to the
Committee members and the State Hazard Mitigation Officer. If no changes are
necessary, the State Hazard Mitigation Officer will be given a justification for this
determination.

The general public will be encouraged to attend Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee
meetings through published notices, reminders or announcements at civic meetings, and
possibly public speaking engagements. The Southwest Missouri Council of
Governments will host announcements as well as a copy of the latest Plan on the
SMCOG website at www.smcog.missouristate.edu.

July 2012 6-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Part 7: Appendices

Part 7: Appendices

Appendix A: Sample Adoption Resolutions
Appendix B: Repetitive Losses
Appendix C: Acronyms
Appendix D: Glossary
Appendix E: References
Appendix F: Neighboring Jurisdictions

July 2012
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Appendix A: Sample Adoption Resolutions

Appendix A: Sample Adoption Resolutions
Sample Adoption Resolutions for County, Cities and Villages

RESOLUTION NO. _________

A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION AND
TO WORK TOWARD BECOMING A SAFER COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, the (Jurisdiction) recognizes that no community is immune from natural hazards
whether it be tornado/severe thunderstorm, flood, severe winter weather, drought, heat wave,
earthquake, dam failure or wildfire and recognizes the importance enhancing its ability to
withstand natural hazards as well as the importance of reducing the human suffering, property
damage, interruption of public services and economic losses caused by those hazards; and

WHEREAS, the (Jurisdiction) may have previously pursued measures such as building codes,
fire codes, floodplain management regulations, zoning ordinances, and stormwater
management regulations to minimize the impact of natural hazards; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency
Management Agency have developed a natural hazard mitigation program that assists
communities in their efforts to become Disaster-Resistant Communities which are sustainable
communities after a natural disaster that focus, not just on disaster relief, but also on recovery
and reconstruction that brings the community to at least pre-disaster conditions in an
accelerated, orderly and preplanned manner; and

WHEREAS, by participating in the Natural Hazard Mitigation program, the (Jurisdiction) will be
eligible to apply for post-disaster mitigation funds; and

WHEREAS, the (Jurisdiction) desires to commit to working with government partners and
community partners to implement the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan; and

WHEREAS, the (Jurisdiction) will implement pertinent precepts of the mitigation plan by
incorporation into other community plans and mechanisms where appropriate; and

WHEREAS, the (Jurisdiction) will participate in the evaluation and review of the Plan after a
disaster as well as complete a mandated five-year update submitted to the State Emergency
Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review and
approval; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE (Jurisdiction) AS FOLLOWS:

The (Jurisdiction) hereby adopts the Barry County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation
Plan attached hereto for the purpose of building a safer community by reducing natural hazard
vulnerability.

Certifying Official(s) Date

July 2012 A-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Appendix A: Sample Adoption Resolutions

Sample Resolution for School Districts

RESOLUTION NO. _________

A RESOLUTION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION AND
TO WORK TOWARD BECOMING A SAFER COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS, the (District Name) recognizes that no community is immune from natural hazards
whether it be tornado/severe thunderstorm, flood, severe winter weather, drought, heat wave,
earthquake, dam failure or wildfire and recognizes the importance enhancing its ability to
withstand natural hazards as well as the importance of reducing the human suffering, property
damage, interruption of public services and economic losses caused by those hazards; and

WHEREAS, the (District Name) may have previously pursued measures such as building
modifications, storm water management, or educational instruction and safety drills to minimize
the impact of natural hazards; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the State Emergency
Management Agency have developed a natural hazard mitigation program that assists
communities in their efforts to become Disaster-Resistant Communities which are sustainable
communities after a natural disaster that focus, not just on disaster relief, but also on recovery
and reconstruction that brings the community to at least pre-disaster conditions in an
accelerated, orderly and preplanned manner; and

WHEREAS, by participating in the Natural Hazard Mitigation program, the (District Name) will
be eligible to apply for post-disaster mitigation funds; and

WHEREAS, the (District Name) desires to commit to working with government partners and
community partners to implement the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan; and

WHEREAS, the (District Name) will implement pertinent precepts of the mitigation plan by
incorporation into other plans and mechanisms where appropriate; and

WHEREAS, the (District Name) will participate in the evaluation and review of the Plan after a
disaster as well as complete a mandated five-year update submitted to the State Emergency
Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review and
approval; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE (District Organization Name), Missouri AS
FOLLOWS:

The (District Organization Name) hereby adopts the Barry County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural
Hazard Mitigation Plan attached hereto for the purpose of building a safer community by
reducing natural hazard vulnerability.

District Chairman/President Date

July 2012 A-2
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix B: Repetitive Losses

Appendix B: Repetitive Losses

Table B-1 shows repetitive losses to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in
Taney County as of 2009. Information is shown concerning whether mitigation actions
were previously taken, whether the property was insured at the time of the flood, total
payments made by the NFIP for building losses and contents losses, the number of
times the property has been claimed to the NFIP, total claims paid on the property, and
average claim payment.

Table B-1: Taney County Repetitive Losses as of 2009
Community City of Branson
State Missouri
Zip Code 65616-3600
Type Single Family
Mitigated? No
Insured? No
Total Building Payment -
Total Contents Payment -
Losses 2 (1984 and 1982)
Total Paid -
Average Paid -
Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region VII.

July 2012 B-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix C: Acronyms

Appendix C: Acronyms

 ASM Archaeological Survey of Missouri
 BFE Base Flood Elevation
 BLM Bureau of Land Management
 CDBG Community Block Development Program
 CEDS Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
 CERI Center for Earthquake Research and Information
 CPC Climate Prediction Center
 CRS Community Rating System
 CTCFPD Central Taney County Fire Protection District
 DMA 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
 EDA Economic Development Administration
 EMD Emergency Management Director
 EOC Emergency Operations Center
 EOP Emergency Operations Plan
 EPA Environmental Protection Agency
 FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
 FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map
 FMA Flood Management Assistance (FEMA Program)
 GIS Geographic Information System
 HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
 HMST Hazard Mitigation Survey Team
 HUD Housing and Urban Development (United States, Department of)
 ICC Increased Cost of Compliance
 LMI Labor Market Information
 MCC Midwestern Climate Center
 MDC Missouri Department of Conservation
 MDNR Missouri Department of Natural Resources
 MoDOT Missouri Department of Transportation
 NCDC National Climatic Data Center
 NEHRP National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
 NFIP National Flood Insurance Program
 NFPA National Fire Protection Association
 NHMP Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
 NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
 NRHP National Register of Historic Places
 NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
 NWS National Weather Service
 OEDP Overall Economic Development Program (see CEDS)
 PDM Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program
 PDSI Palmer Drought Severity Index
 SBA Small Business Administration
 SEMA Missouri State Emergency Management Agency
 SHMO State Hazard Mitigation Officer
 SMCOG Southwest Missouri Council of Governments
 SPC Storm Prediction Center

July 2012 C-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix C: Acronyms

 USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers
 USDA United States Department of Agriculture
 USFA United States Fire Administration
 USFS United States Forest Service
 USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service
 USGS United States Geological Survey
 WTCFPD Western Taney County Fire Protection District

July 2012 C-2
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix D: Glossary

Appendix E: Glossary
Acquisition: Local governments can acquire lands in high hazard areas through
conservation easements, purchase of development rights, or outright purchase of
property.
Acquisition of Hazard-prone structures: Local governments can acquire lands in high
hazard areas through conservation easements, purchase of development rights, or
outright purchase of property.
Asset: Any manmade or natural feature that has value, including, but not limited to
people; buildings; infrastructure like bridges, roads, and sewer and water systems;
lifelines like electricity and communication resources; or environmental, cultural, or
recreational features like parks, dunes, wetlands, or landmarks.
Benefit: Net project outcomes, usually defined in monetary terms. Benefits may include
direct and indirect effects. For the purposes of conducting a benefit-cost analysis of
proposed mitigation measures, benefits are limited to specific, measurable risk reduction
factors, including a reduction in expected property losses (building, contents, and
function) and protection of human life.
Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA): A systematic method of comparing the projected benefits
to projected costs of a project or policy. It is used as a measure of cost-effectiveness.
Building: A structure that is walled and roofed, principally above ground and
permanently affixed to a site. The term includes a manufactured home on a permanent
foundation on which the wheels and axles carry no weight.
Capability Assessment: An assessment that provides a description and analysis of a
community or state’s current capacity to address the threats associated with hazards.
The capability assessment attempts to identify and evaluate existing policies,
regulations, programs, and practices that positively or negatively affect the community or
state’s vulnerability to hazards or specific threats.
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT): CERT is the mechanism to
establish, train, and maintain a local cadre of residents to act as first responders in the
event of an emergency. A CERT team is especially critical in the first three days
following a disaster when conditions may prevent access by emergency response
personnel.
Community Rating System (CRS): CRS is a program that provides incentives for
National Flood Insurance Program communities to complete activities that reduce flood
hazard risk. When the community completes specified activities, the insurance premiums
of the policyholders in those communities are reduced.
Comprehensive Plan: A document, also known as a “general plan,” covering the entire
geographic area of a community and expressing community goals and objectives. The
plan lays out the vision, policies, and strategies for the future of the community, including
all to the physical elements that will determine the community’s future development. This
plan may discuss the community’s desired physical development, desired rate and
quantity of growth, community character, transportation service, location of growth, and
siting of public facilities and transportation. In most states, the comprehensive plan has
no authority in and of itself, but serves as a guide for community decision-making.
Cost–effectiveness: Cost-effectiveness is a key evaluation criterion for federal grant
programs. Cost-effectiveness has several possible definitions, although for grant-making

July 2012 D-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix D: Glossary

purposes FEMA defines a cost-effective project as one whose long-term benefits exceed
its cost. That is, a project should prevent more expected damages than it cost initially to
fund the effort. This is done to ensure that limited public funds are used in the most
efficient manner possible. Benefit-cost analysis is one way to illustrate that a project is
cost-effective.
Critical facilities: Facilities vital to the health, safety, and welfare of the population and
that are especially important following hazard events. Critical facilities include, but are
not limited to, shelters, police and fire stations, and hospitals.
Debris: The scattered remains of assets broken or destroyed in a hazard event. Debris
caused by a wind or water hazard event can cause additional damage to other assets.
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000): DMA 2000 (Public Law 106-390) is the
latest legislation to improve the planning process. It was signed into law on October 10,
2000. This new legislation reinforces the importance of mitigation planning and
emphasizes planning for disasters before they occur.
Earthquake: A sudden motion or trembling that is caused by a release of strain
accumulated within or along the edge of earth's tectonic plates.
Elevation of Structures: Raising structures above the base flood elevation to protect
structures located in areas prone to flooding.
Emergency Response Services: The actions of first responders such as firefighters,
police, and other emergency service personnel at the scene of a hazard event. The first
responders take appropriate actions to contain the hazard, protect property, conduct
search and rescue operations, provide mass care, and ensure public safety.
Erosion: Wearing away of the land surface by detachment and movement of soil and
rock fragments, during a flood or storm or over a period of years, through the action of
wind, water, or other geologic processes.
Extent: The size of an area affected by a hazard or hazard event.
Fault: A fracture in the continuity of a rock formation caused by a shifting or dislodging
of the earth's crust, in which adjacent surfaces are differentially displaced parallel to the
plane of fracture.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Independent agency created in
1979 to provide a single point of accountability for all federal activities related to disaster
mitigation and emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
Flood Depth: Height of the flood water surface above the ground surface.
Flood Hazard Area: The area shown to be inundated by a flood of a given magnitude
on a map.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM): Map of a community, prepared by FEMA, shows
both the special flood hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the
community under the National Flood Insurance Program.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program: A program created as part of the
National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994. FMA provides funding to assist
communities and states in implementing actions that reduce or eliminate the long-term
risk of flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes, and other NFIP insurable
structures, with a focus on repetitive loss properties.

July 2012 D-2
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix D: Glossary

Floodplain: Any land area, including watercourse, susceptible to partial or complete
inundation by water from any source.
Flood-proofing: Actions that prevent or minimize future flood damage. Making the
areas below the anticipated flood level watertight or intentionally allowing flood-waters to
enter the interior to equalize flood pressures are examples of flood-proofing.
Flood Zone: A geographical area shown on a FIRM that reflects the severity or type of
flooding in the area.
Goals: General guidelines that explain what you want to achieve. They are usually
broad policy-type statements, long term in nature, and represent global visions.
Hazard: A source of potential danger or adverse condition.
Hazard Event: A specific occurrence of a particular type of hazard.
Hazard Identification: The process of identifying hazards that threaten an area.
Hazard Mitigation: Sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk from
hazards and their effects.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP): authorized under Section 404 of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, HMGP is
administrated by FEMA and provides grants to states, tribes, and local governments to
implement hazard mitigation actions after a major disaster declaration. The purpose of
the program is to reduce the loss of life and property due to disasters and to enable
mitigation activities to be implemented as community recovers from a disaster.
Hazard Profile: A description of the physical characteristics of hazards and a
determination of various descriptions, including magnitude, duration, frequency,
probability, and extent. In most cases, a community can most easily use these
descriptors when they are recorded and displayed as maps.
HAZUS (Hazards U.S.): A GIS-based, nationally standardized, loss estimation tool
developed by FEMA.
Infrastructure: Refers to the public services of a community that have a direct impact
on the quality of life. Infrastructure includes communication technology such as phone
lines or Internet access, vital services such as public water supplies and sewer treatment
facilities, and includes an area's transportation system such as airports, heliports,
highways, bridges, tunnels, roadbeds, overpasses, railways, bridges, rail yards, depots;
and waterways, canals, locks, seaports, ferries, harbors, dry docks, piers, and regional
dams.
Landslide: Downward movement of a slope and materials under the force of gravity.
Loss Estimation: Forecast of and economic impacts and property damage from future
hazard events, based on current scientific and engineering knowledge.
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC): LEPCs consist of community
representatives and are appointed by the State Emergency Response Commissions
(SERCs), as required by Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), Title
III. They develop an emergency plan to prepare for and respond to chemical
emergencies. They are also responsible for coordinating with local facilities to find out
what they are doing to reduce hazards, prepare for accidents, and reduce hazardous
inventories and releases. The LEPC serves as a focal point in the community for

July 2012 D-3
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix D: Glossary

information and discussions about hazardous substances, emergency planning, and
health and environmental risks.
Magnitude: A measure of the strength of a hazard event. The magnitude (also referred
to as severity) of a given hazard event is usually determined using technical measures
specific to the hazard.
Memorandum of Agreement: A non-binding statement that defines the duties,
responsibilities, and commitment of the different parties or individuals; provides a clear
statement of values, principles, and goals; and establishes an organizational structure to
assist in measuring and evaluating progress.
Mitigate: To cause something to become less harsh or hostile, to make less severe or
painful.
Mitigation Actions: Activities or projects that help achieve the goals and objectives of a
mitigation plan.
Mitigation Plan: Systematically evaluating community policies, actions, and tools, and
setting goals for implementation over the long term that will result in a reduction in risk
and minimize future losses community-wide.
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): Federal program created by Congress in
1968 that makes flood insurance available in communities that enact minimum floodplain
management regulations as indicated in 44 CFR §60.3.
National Weather Service (NWS): Prepares and issues flood, severe weather, and
coastal storm warnings and can provide technical assistance to federal and state entities
in preparing weather and flood warning plans.
Objectives: Objectives define strategies or implementation steps to attain the identified
goals. Unlike goals, objectives are specific and measurable.
Open Space Preservation: Preserving undeveloped areas from development through
any number of methods, including low-density zoning, easements, or public or private
acquisition. Open space preservation is a technique that can be used to prevent flood
damage in flood-prone areas, land failures on steep slopes or liquefaction-prone soils,
and can enhance that nature and beneficial functions of floodplains.
Ordinance: A term for a law or regulation adopted by a local government.
Planning: The act or process of making or carrying out plans; the establishment of
goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit.
Policy: A course of action or specific rule of conduct to be followed in achieving goals
and objectives.
Post-Disaster Mitigation: An ordinance authorizing certain governmental actions to be
taken during the immediate aftermath of a hazard event to expedite implementation of
recovery and reconstruction actions identified in a pre-event plan.
Post-Disaster Recovery Planning: The purpose of planning those steps the jurisdiction
will take to implement long-term reconstruction with a primary goal of mitigating its
exposure to future hazards. The post- disaster recovery planning process can also
involve coordination with other types of plans and agencies, but it is distinct from
planning for emergency operations.
Preparedness: Actions that strengthen the capability of government, citizens, and
communities to respond to disasters.

July 2012 D-4
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix D: Glossary

Probability: A statistical measure of the likelihood that a hazard event will occur.
Public Education and Outreach Programs: A campaign to make the public more
aware of hazard mitigation programs, including hazard information centers, mailings,
public meetings, etc.
Recovery: The actions taken by an individual or community after a catastrophic event to
restore order and lifelines in a community.
Regulatory Power: Local jurisdictions have the authority to regulate certain activities in
their jurisdiction. With respect to mitigation planning, the focus is on such things as
regulating land use development and construction through zoning, subdivision
regulations, design standards, and floodplain regulations.
Relocation out of Hazard Areas: A mitigation technique that features the process of
demolishing or moving a building to a new location outside the hazard area.
Resources: Resources include the people, materials, technologies, money, etc.,
required to implement strategies or processes. The costs of these resources are often
included in a budget.
Response: The actions taken during an event to address immediate life and safety
needs and to minimize further damage to properties.
Risk: The estimated impact that a hazard would have on people, services, facilities, and
structures in a community; the likelihood of a hazard event resulting in an adverse
condition that causes injury or damage. Risk is often expressed in relative terms such as
a high, moderate, or low likelihood of sustaining damage above a particular threshold
due to a specific type of hazard event. It also can be expressed in terms of potential
monetary losses associated with the intensity of the hazard.
Stafford Act: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, PL
100-107 was signed into law November 23, 1988 and amended the Disaster Relief Act
of 1974, PL 93-288. The Stafford Act is the statutory authority for most federal disaster
response activities, especially as they pertain to FEMA and its programs.
Stakeholder: Individual or group that will be affected in any way by an action or policy.
They include businesses, private organizations, and citizens.
State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO): The representative of state government who
is the primary point of contact with FEMA, other state and federal agencies, and local
units of government in the planning and implementation of pre- and post-disaster
mitigation activities.
Structural Retrofitting: Modifying existing buildings and infrastructure to protect them
from hazards.
Subdivision: The division of a tract of land into two or more lots for sale or
development.
Subdivision Regulations: Regulations and standards governing the division of land for
development or sale. Subdivision regulations can control the configuration of parcels, set
standards for developer-built infrastructure, and set standards for minimizing runoff,
impervious surfaces, and sediment during development. They can be used to minimize
exposure of buildings and infrastructure to hazards.
Substantial Damage: Damage of any origin sustained by a structure in a Special Flood
Hazard Area whereby the cost of restoring the structure to its before-damaged condition

July 2012 D-5
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix D: Glossary

would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the structure before the
damage.
Tectonic Plate: Torsionally rigid, thin segments of the earth's lithosphere that may be
assumed to move horizontally and adjoin other plates. It is the friction between plate
boundaries that cause seismic activity.
Topographic: Characterizes maps that show manmade features and indicate the
physical shape of the land using contour lines.
Tornado: A violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground.
Vulnerability: Describes how exposed or susceptible to damage an asset is.
Vulnerability depends on an asset's construction, contents, and the economic value of its
functions. Like indirect damages, the vulnerability of one element of the community is
often related to the vulnerability of another. For example, since many businesses
depend on uninterrupted electrical power, if an electric substation is flooded it will affect
not only the substation itself, but a number of businesses as well. Often, indirect effects
can be much more widespread and damaging than direct ones.
Vulnerability Assessment: The extent of injury and damage that may result from a
hazard event of a given intensity in a given area. The vulnerability assessment should
address impacts of hazard events on the existing and future built environment.
Water Systems: Information about drinking water systems in Missouri is maintained by
the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Water systems in Taney County listed in
the Safe Drinking Water Information System are defined as:
Community Water Systems. Water systems that serve the same people year
around, such as homes and businesses.
Non-Transient Non-Community Water Systems. Water systems that serve
the same people, but not year around, such as schools or lodges that have their
own systems.
Transient Non-Community Water Systems. Water systems that do not
consistently serve the same people, such as rest stops, gas stations and
campgrounds.
Wildfire: An uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels, exposing and possibly
consuming structures.
Zoning: The division of land within a local jurisdiction by local legislative regulation into
zones of allowable types and intensities of land uses.

July 2012 D-6
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E: References

Appendix E: References

American Red Cross. Greater Ozarks Chapter. <http://www.redcross-ozarks.org>

American Water Works Association. Fact Sheets. 4 Stages of Drought.
<http://www.awwa.org/Advocacy/pressroom/drought.cfm> (6 August 2004).

Branson USA Online. Lake Taneycomo - The Mid West's Premier Rainbow Trout Fishing
Lake. 1996. <http://www.branson.com/branson/lakes/taney.htm>.

Burns & McDonnell. September 1995. Intermodal Transportation Study for Stone County,
Taney County and the City of Branson.

Center for Earthquake Research and Information. Earthquake Information.
<http://www.ceri.memphis.edu/>

Center for Disease Control. Pandemic Severity Index, 2012.
<http://www.cdc.gov/media/pdf/MitigationSlides.pdf>

Denver Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2010 Draft.

Dodd, J.A., and E.J. Dettman. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Soil Survey of Taney
County, Missouri. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.
1996.<http://soils.missouri.edu/soils.html> (22 July 2004).

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Stanford University. National
Performance of Dams Program, 2012.< http://npdp.stanford.edu/index.html>

Empire District Electric Co. 1999. <http://www.empiredistrict.com/> (6 September 2004).

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federal Insurance Administration.
Community Status Book. <http://www.fema.gov> (10 February 2005).

Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federally Declared Disasters by Calendar
Year. <http://www.fema.gov/library/drcys.shtm> (20 January 2005).

Federal Emergency Management Agency. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Policy Statistics by State as of 7/6/2012. < http://bsa.nfipstat.com/reports/1011.htm >
(6 July 2012).

Federal Emergency Management Agency. September 1993. Wildland Fires.
Washington, D.C.: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
<http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/wlfrls.pdf> (7 June 2004).

Federal Emergency Management Agency. August 2010. Wind Zones in the United
States. (7 June 2012).
< http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/saferoom/tsfs02_wind_zones.shtm>

July 2012 E-1
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E: References

Freyermuth, R. Wilson. The Structure of Missouri Local Government: A (Brief) Overview.
Columbia, MO: University of Missouri-Columbia School of Law.
<http://www.law.missouri.edu/freyermuth/locgov/structure.htm> (3 August 2004).

Geological Survey of Alabama. Soils Profile, Liquefaction of Sediment.
<http://www.gsa.state.al.us/gsa/EQ2/newmad.html> (13 October 2004)

Gillman, Joe., Palmer, Jim., Young, Glen., and Prewett, Jerry. 2007, Soil-Cover Karst
Collapse: A Geologic Hazard in Missouri, National Cave and Karst Management
Symposium, p. 175-185.
http://www.utexas.edu/tmm/sponsored_sites/biospeleology/nckms2007/Papers/gillman%2
0collapse.pdf

Gouzie, Douglas and Pendergrass, Gary, 2009, Investigation and Remediation of the 2006
Nixa, Missouri, Collapse Sinkhole, Environmental and Engineering Geoscience, Vol. XV,
No. 1, February 2009, p. 13-27.

Midwestern Regional Climate Center. Historical Climate Data. Snowfall Summary Station:
Ozark Beach, MO 1971-2000. <http://mcc.sws.uiuc.edu/Snow/MO/236460_ssum.html>
Missouri Census Data Center. Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis. Primary
Industries.

Missouri Department of Conservation. Conservation Atlas Online. <http://mdc.mo.gov/cgi-
bin/atlas/search.cgi> (28 October 2004).

Missouri Department of Conservation. Fire Danger Index.
<http://www.mdc.state.mo.us/forest/fire/adject.htm> (7 October 2004).

Missouri Department of Conservation. Fire Reporting: Wildfire Data Search.
<http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/FireReporting/Report.aspx> (2011).

Missouri Department of Conservation. Forest Fire Statistics: Causes.
<http://www.conservation.state.mo.us/forest/fire/stats.html> (7 October 2004).

Missouri Department of Conservation. Missouri Fish and Wildlife Information System.
Natural Heritage Database. < http://mdc.mo.gov/landwater-care/heritage-
program/results/county/Taney> (6 June 2012)

Missouri Department of Conservation. Public Lands/Use Areas.
<http://www.conservation.state.mo.us> (15 September 2004).

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Missouri School Directory
2004-2005. <http://www.dese.state.mo.us/directory> (20 September 2004).

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Show Me Long Term Care in
Missouri. <http://www.health.state.mo.us/showmelongtermcare/longtermcare.html>
(15 November 2004).

Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Geological Survey and Resources
Assessment Division. Dam Safety Program.
<http://www.damsafety.org/documents/pdf/Missouri.pdf>

July 2012 E-2
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E: References

Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Geological Survey and Resources
Assessment Division. Physiographic Map, Geologic Map. DNR/GSRAD Fact Sheet No. 2.
2002.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Missouri Drought Plan. Water Resources
Report No. 69. 2002. <http://www.dnr.state.mo.us/geology/wrp/WR69.pdf>.

Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Water Protection Program. January 12,
2005. State Operating Permits.
<http://www.dnr.state.mo.us/wpscd/wpcp/permits/reports/wpcpermits-reports.htm>

Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Department of Waste Management.
Hazardous Waste Program <http://www.dnr.mo.gov/alpd/hwp/index.html>.

MISSOURI Manufactured Housing Communities. Mobile Home Information.
<http://www.mobilehome.net/communities/mo/>

Missouri Secretary of State. Missouri History.
<http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/history/counties.asp> (16 December 2004).

Missouri Speleological Survey Inc. 1999. Caves in Taney County Missouri.

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. General Information.
<http://www.sema.state.mo.us/semapage.htm> (7 May 2004).

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. Missouri Hazard Analysis. November
2011. Jefferson City, MO: Missouri State Emergency Management Agency.
<http://www.sema.state.mo.us/hazard.htm> (June 2012).

Missouri State Emergency Management Agency. 2011. Regional Planning Commission
Hazard Mitigation Planning Guide. Jefferson City, MO: SEMA.

Missouri State Legislature. Missouri State Statute RSMo 44.227, 44.229, 44.231, 44.233,
44.235, 46.040, 48,820, 49,010, 72,050, 79, 80.

Missouri United School Insurance Council (MUSIC). June 2012.

Missouri Watershed Information Network. Land Cover in Taney County.
<http://outreach.missouri.edu/mowin/counties2/taney.html>

National Disaster Education Coalition. July 2004. Talking About Disaster: Guide for
Standard Messages. Washington, D.C.: National Disaster Education Coalition.
<http://www.disastereducation.org> (August 2004).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Climatic Data Center. Storm
Events Database, < http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/> (June 2012).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service. National
Climate Prediction Center. Climate of 2012 - May U.S. Palmer Drought Indices.
<http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/prelim/drought/palmer.html> (May 2012).

July 2012 E-3
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E: References

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service. NOAA
Weather Radio Coverage Maps. < http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/mo/branson.gif >

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service. Heat
Index. <http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml> (1 March 2005).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service Forecast
Office-Springfield, Missouri. Heat Wave Response Levels. Telephone interview with Bill
Davis.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service. Live
Weather Images. Heat Index Chart. <http://www.weatherimages.org/data/heatindex.html>
(August 2004).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. National Weather Service Forecast
Office - Springfield, Missouri. 10 November 2003. Natural Hazard Risk

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Storm Prediction Center Fujita
Tornado Damage Scale. <http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/f-scale.html>

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Assessment Information for Taney
County, Missouri. <http://www.crh.noaa.gov/sgf/RA/Taney/index.shtml> (15 November
2004).

National Register of Historic Places. Historic Site Information.
<http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/mo/state.html>

Southwest Missouri Council of Governments. 1998. Southwest Missouri Overall
Economic Development Program (CEDS). Springfield, Missouri: SMCOG.

Southwest Missouri Council of Governments. Taney County Master Plan. Adopted by the
Taney County Commission, December 27, 1999. Springfield: Southwest Missouri State
University. <http://www.co.taney.mo.us/TaneyCo/default.htm>.

Southwest Missouri Office on Aging. 2003. 2003 Information Directory. Springfield, MO:
SMOA. <http://www.swmoa.com>.

Spatial Analysis for Conservation and Sustainability . University of Wisconsin- Madison.
The Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Defined, June 2012.

St. Louis Post Dispatch, June 11, 2004. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5191079 (July 30,
2009).

Taney County Regional Sewer District. 1999. Taney County Wastewater Master Plan.

Taney County Health Department, 2012.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. County Business Patterns, 2009.

July 2012 E-4
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E: References

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics. QTP1, Age
Groups and Sex, 2010.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Summary File 1, 2010.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Selected Economic Characteristics. DP03, ACS 2006-2010.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Educational Attainment. S1501, ACS 2006-2010.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Selected Social Characteristics in the United States. DP02,
ACS 2006-2010.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin. QTP3, ACS 2006-2010.

U.S. Bureau of the Census. Means of Transportation to Work by Selected Characteristics.
S0802, ACS 2006-2010.

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. Our Science. Natural
Hazards. < http://www.usgs.gov/science.html> (29 July 2004).

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. Measuring Earthquakes.
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq1/measure.html> (16 April 2004).

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. News Release. 13 January
2003. Scientists Update New Madrid Earthquake Forecasts.
<http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article_pf.asp?ID=215>

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. U.S. Geological Survey Fact
Sheet FS-131-02. October 2002. Earthquake Hazard in the Heart of the Homeland.
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-131-02/fs-131-02.pdf> (20 September 2004).

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. 2000. The Severity of an
Earthquake. U.S. Geological Survey Series General Interest Publication.
<http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq4/severitygip.html> (August 2004).
`
U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey Interest Publication. Twelve
Levels of Modified Mercalli Intensity. <http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq1/measure.html>

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Circular 1158, 1998

U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. Sinkhole Fact Sheet, 1998

U.S. Department of the Interior. U.S. Geological Survey. Water Resources Investigations.
Report 98-4164, 1998.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Safe Drinking Water Information System. List of
Water Systems in SDWIS. < http://oaspub.epa.gov/enviro> (10 January 2005).

July 2012 E-5
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix E: References

Wind Science and Engineering Center. November 2006. A Recommendation for an
Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale).
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/weweb/Pubs/fscale/EFScale.pdf

Vineyard, Jerry D. and Feder, Gerald L., 1982, Springs of Missouri: Missouri Geological
Survey and Water Resources WR-29, 212 p.

July 2012 E-6
Taney County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Appendix F: Neighboring Jurisdictions

Appendix F: Neighboring Agency Invitation List

Agency How Added to Invited to
Contact Contacted List Attend
Peggy Golden OACAC Mail/Email 4/10/ 2012 All meetings

Forsyth Chamber of Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Commerce

Hollister Chamber of Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Commerce

Rockaway Beach Chamber of Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Commerce

Branson Lakes Area Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Chamber of Commerce and
Convention Visitors’ Bureau

Wayne Dietrich University of Missouri Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Extension

Cy Murray White River Valley Electric Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Co-Operative

Debi Meeds Ozarks Regional American Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Red Cross

Tom Martin Stone County Office of Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Emergency Management

Phil Amtower Christian County Office of Mail/Email 4/10/2012 All meetings
Emergency Management

July 2012 F-1