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CHAPTER 13. SEVERE WEATHER
<br />13-16
<br />Jurisdiction Assessed Value of
<br />Buildings Exposed 10% Damage 30% Damage 50% Damage
<br />Cle Elum $88,005,625 $8,800,563 $26,401,688 $44,002,813
<br />Ellensburg $894,213,490 $89,421,349 $268,264,047 $447,106,745
<br />Kittitas $66,114,260 $6,611,426 $19,834,278 $33,057,130
<br />Roslyn $67,559,830 $6,755,983 $20,267,949 $33,779,915
<br />South Cle Elum $8,747,100 $874,710 $20,624,130 $4,373,550
<br />Unincorporated $3,410,937,810 $341,093,781 $1,023,281,343 $1,705,468,905
<br />Total $4,535,578,115 $453,557,812 $1,360,673,435 $2,267,789,058
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<br />13.6.3 Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
<br />Incapacity and loss of roads are the primary transportation failures resulting from severe weather, mostly
<br />associated with secondary hazards. Landslides caused by heavy prolonged rains can block roads as well.
<br />High winds can cause significant damage to trees and power lines, blocking roads with debris,
<br />incapacitating transportation, isolating populations, and disrupting ingress and egress. Snowstorms in
<br />higher elevations can significantly impact the transportation system and the availability of public safety
<br />services. Of particular concern are roads providing access to isolated areas and to the elderly.
<br />Prolonged obstruction of major routes due to landslides, snow, debris or floodwaters can disrupt the
<br />shipment of goods and other commerce. Large, prolonged storms can have negative economic impacts for
<br />an entire region.
<br />Severe windstorms, downed trees, and ice can create serious impacts on power and above-ground
<br />communication lines. Freezing of power and communication lines can cause them to break, disrupting
<br />electricity and communication. Loss of electricity and phone connection would leave certain populations
<br />isolated because residents would be unable to call for assistance.
<br />13.6.4 Environment
<br />The vulnerability of the environment to severe weather is the same as the exposure.
<br />13.7. FUTURE TRENDS IN DEVELOPMENT
<br />All future development will be affected by severe storms. The ability to withstand impacts lies in sound
<br />land use practices and consistent enforcement of codes and regulations for new construction. The planning
<br />partners have adopted the International Building Code in response to Washington mandates. This code is
<br />equipped to deal with the impacts of severe weather events such as wind and snow loads. Land use policies
<br />identified in comprehensive plans within the planning area also address many of the secondary impacts
<br />(flood and landslide) of the severe weather hazard. With these tools, the planning partnership is well
<br />equipped to deal with future growth and the associated impacts of severe weather.
<br />13.8. SCENARIO
<br />The focus of severe local storms is on secondary impacts caused by flooding and landslides. However, the
<br />frequency of these storms dictates repeated response by the planning partnership. A worst-case event would
<br />involve prolonged high winds during a winter storm accompanied by thunderstorms. Such an event would
<br />have both short-term and longer-term effects. Initially, schools and roads would be closed due to power
<br />outages caused by high winds and downed tree obstructions. In more rural areas, some subdivisions could
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