02-25-19-R - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Ramsey County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2018 Page | 81 According to the 2015 Minnesota Weather Almanac, a recent study of seasonal snowfall records across the state from 1890-2000 showed that 41 of 46 climate stations recorded an increase in average annual snowfall, by as much as 10 inches. Higher snowfall levels can result in greater runoff potential during spring snowmelt, and many watersheds in Minnesota have shown more consistent measures of high- volume flows during spring, often at or above flood stage (Seeley M. , 2015). Vulnerability The number of heavy snowfall years for the Midwest has fluctuated between 1900 and 2006. The periods of 1900-1920 and 1960-1985 had numerous years with snowfall totals over the 90th percentile. In the past 3 decades, the number of heavy seasonal snowfall totals has been much lower. Despite these generally lower seasonal snowfall totals, some areas of the Midwest have still experienced significant snow totals in the most recent decade. The 100-year linear trends based on decadal values show that the upper Midwest had statistically significant (1% level) upward linear trends in snowstorm frequency from 1901 to 2000 (Kunkel, et al., 2013). Winter storms affect Ramsey County each year, so there is a 100% probability that the county and its jurisdictions will be affected annually. The amount of snow and ice, number of blizzards, and days of sub- zero temperatures each year are unpredictable and within Ramsey County the vulnerability of jurisdictions to winter storms does not vary geographically. Citizens living in climates such as these must always be prepared for situations that put their lives or property at risk. It is not always the size of the storm or the depth of the cold, but an unprepared individual with a vehicle breakdown or lack of a personal winter safety kit that are at risk. Rural citizens are more vulnerable to issues with deep snow. The vulnerability of each jurisdiction to severe winter storms has not changed due to any development in the last 5 years. Severe Winter Storms and Electrical Outages The leading cause of electric outages in Minnesota during 2008 to 2013 was weather/falling trees. Between 2008 and 2013, the greatest number of electric outages in Minnesota occurred during the month of March (U.S. Department of Energy, 2015). Plans and Programs in Place Ramsey County Emergency Operations Plan, Ramsey County COOP/COG Plan; Ramsey County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, THIRA – Ramsey County maintains several different plans including an Emergency Operations Plan, a Ramsey County COOP/COG Plan and the Ramsey County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan which are designed as guides for emergency and/or recovery operations. These plans are intended to assist key county/municipal officials and emergency organizations to carry out their responsibilities for the protection of life and property under a wide range of emergency conditions. Public Warning and Notification – In the event of emergencies or hazardous conditions that require timely and targeted communication to the public, Ramsey County utilizes the Everbridge Mass Notification System, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS), Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA), Ramsey County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Facebook page, and local news media. Ramsey County promotes the use of NOAA weather radios by critical facilities and the public to receive information broadcast from the National Weather Service. Local television & radio stations assist with sharing public information. Ramsey County Emergency Communications Center has recently upgraded