HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 05-05-2026; 8-k - Resolution Amending the 2025 Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 8-k
SUBJECT: Resolution Amending the 2025 Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan
DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
1. Amendment Resolution with Kirby Saunders, Emergency Services
Attachment A (Amended Actions Director, 919-245-6100
in Yellow Highlight) Ian Fowler, Assistant Chief of
2. Letter of Support from OWASA Emergency Management, 919-245-
6100
PURPOSE: To adopt a resolution approving an amendment to the 2025 Eno-Haw Regional
Hazard Mitigation Plan.
BACKGROUND: In 2025, the Orange County Board of Commissioners formally adopted the
2025 Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan identifies both natural and human-
caused threats and hazards facing our community and outlines strategies to reduce the impacts
of future disasters.
The proposed amendment to the 2025 plan stems from Chantal After Action Review (AAR) items,
and a local emergency responder meeting on flooding issues hosted by the Orange Water and
Sewer Authority (OWASA). The meeting included representatives from the Town of Carrboro,
Orange County, OWASA, North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM), and the North
Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) to discuss ongoing and emerging flood
risks within the Morgan Creek watershed.
A key outcome of that discussion was the recognition of a need to evaluate potential mitigation
strategies in and around Morgan Creek, including the vicinity of the University Lake Dam. The
proposed amendment (shown in yellow highlight on Attachment A to the resolution) is intended to
address the Morgan Creek corridor more comprehensively, with the dam included as one of
several potential mitigation components.
Given that the dam is located within the Carrboro extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ), it was
determined that an update to the County's Mitigation Action Plan would be appropriate. It was
further recognized that downstream flood impacts were within the Town of Carrboro. As such, the
Town has approved an amendment that similarly addresses Morgan Creek. This coordinated
approach is intended to support interlocal alignment and strengthen eligibility for future federal
and state funding opportunities.
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FINANCIAL IMPACT: There are no financial impacts associated with consideration of the
resolution.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 1: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND CLIMATE ACTION
OBJECTIVE 3. Improve educational opportunities for County staff and community
members on climate action and available resources to advance climate action projects.
OBJECTIVE 6. Protect water supply/watersheds.
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVE 6. Provide sustainable, equitable, and high-quality community safety and
emergency services in order to meet the community's evolving needs.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the attached resolution adopting the amendment to the Eno-Haw Regional Mitigation
Plan.
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RES-2026-032 Attachment 1
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
2025 Eno Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Amendment
WHEREAS, Orange County is vulnerable to an array of natural hazards that can cause loss of
life and damage to public and private property; and
WHEREAS, Orange County desires to seek ways to mitigate situations that may aggravate such
circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has identified the need to evaluate and implement planning,
engineering, operational, and mitigation measures along Morgan Creek to reduce downstream
flood risk and enhance system resilience, including exploring the potential for University Lake
Dam to be utilized as part of a broader strategy while evaluating alternative approaches; and
WHEREAS, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, formally adopted the Eno Haw
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2025;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Orange County Board of Commissioners, the
following:
1. Adopts Amendment One, Attachment A, to the Eno Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
2. Agrees to incorporate the key elements of this amendment into Orange County's mitigation
action plan in the next update of the Eno Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Orange County Board of Commissioners that this resolution
shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Approved this 5t" Day of May, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
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Table Error!No text of specified style in document-1-Mitigation Action Plan,Orange County
Goal&
Action Hazard(s) Objective Lead Agency/ Potential Funding Implementation 2025
# Action Description Addressed Addressed Priority Department Source Timeline Status 2025 Implementation Status Comments
Prevention
P-1 Incorporate relevant HMP priorities into All Hazards 1.1 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 Carried This action has been revised to incorporate priorities into the
drafted 2050 Land Use Plan for adoption; Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward drafted 2050 Land Use Plan.Implementation ofthe 2030
in the meantime,continue Inspections Comprehensive Plan is ongoing.
implementation of the Orange County Department
2030 Comprehensive Plan.
P-2 Continue participation in the Community Flooding, 1.1 High Orange County General Fund Ongoing Carried The CPS re-certification period runsfrom August 1st to August 1st
Pating System(CPS)and annual Hurricane& Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward for each fiscal year. Staffworks with CPS every July to submit our
recertification in order to increase public Tropical Storm Inspections annual CPS recertification application. Orange County's 2024
safety,reduce property damage,avoid Department CPS rating was a score of Class 6,which qualifies our constituents
economic loss,and allow for a decrease for a 20%discount in FEMA flood insurance premiums. Staff
in flood insurance premiums for Orange hopes to maintain our relatively high CPS score for FY25,with
County residents. potential eventual score increase(perhaps to Class 5),once staff
is able to procure Certified Floodplain Manager(CFM)status.
P-3 Continue to enforce floodplain Flooding, 1.2 High Orange County General Fund Ongoing Carried Orange County underwent a successful Floodplain Management
regulations through the county's Special Hurricane& Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward program(NFIP)audit by the NC Department of Public Safety
Flood Hazard Area(SFHA)Overlay Tropical Storm Inspections (NCDPS)in June 2023. Current feedback from NCDPS is that the
District contained within the Orange Department program is in full compliance;with only a few minor deficiencies
County Unified Development Ordinance noted,ofwhich staff is aware of and actively working to address
and continue training efforts for the into FY25. Staff hopes to procure Certified Floodplain Manager
Certified Floodplain Manager(CFM). (CFM)status in FY25.
P-4 Continue to collaborate and support All Hazards 3.2 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Orange County remains committed to supporting municipal
municipal mitigation strategies Emergency Services (existing staffsalaries) Forward mitigation strategies.Orange County Emergency Management
is assisting UNC Chapel Hill with a generator project funded
through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program(HMGP)from
Hurricane Florence.Additionally,Orange County Emergency
Management is supporting the Town of Carrboro in applying for
HMGP funding for a property acquisition related toflood damage
from Hurricane Helene.
P-5 Climate Action Plan All Hazards 2.1 High Orange County General Fund 2023-2032 New The Orange County Climate Action Plan was adopted in
Sustainability (existing staffsalaries), November 2023 and is currently in implementation.The plan
CIP,Federal and State addresses climate mitigation strategies as well as resilience and
grants adaptation.
P-6 Continue to develop,review,update,and All Hazards 3.1 Medium OWASA,Orange CIP and Operating 2025-2030 Carried Moving into FY25,Orange County continues to coordinate with
implement recommendations in local County Planning and Budgets Forward City of Mebane and Town of Hillsborough and commit active
and regional plans to improve the Inspections County CIP funds for relevant public water/sewer system
reliability,redundancy,and resiliency of Department extensions,where applicable. Currently,the County has no active
water resources(water,wastewater, public water/sewer extension projects in the queue with
reclaimed water). remaining public utilities(i.e.,City of Durham,OAWS,OWASA)
that are geographically capable of serving County constituents.
OWASA remains committed to ensuring the reliability,
redundancy,and resiliency of the water resources that sustain
the water supplyfor our customers and community
Eno-Haw WSP
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2025
Pagel
5
Goal&
Action Hazard(s) Objective Lead Agency/ Potential Funding Implementation 2025
# Action Description Addressed Addressed Priority Department Source Timeline Status 2025 Implementation Status Comments
P-7 Home weatherization for low-to-Medium Excessive Heat, 4.2 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 New
income residents. Severe Winter Housing Department, (existing staffsalaries),
Weather Orange County Home grants
Preservation Coalition
P-8 Tree giveaway program. Excessive Heat 4.2,2.1 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 New
Sustainability (existing staffsalaries),
grants
P-9 Create or Update Community Wildfire Wildfire 3.2 Medium County Emergency Grant funds 2025-2030 New
Protection Plans in each fire district. Management,
Fire Departments,
NC Forest Service
Property Protection
PP-1 Continue enforcement ofthe North All Hazards 1.2 High Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Currently operating under the 2018 edition ofthe NC State
Carolina State Building Code. Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward Building Codes and 2017 edition ofthe National Electrical Code.
Inspections The updated codes were adopted in 2025 with implementation
Department occurring in 2026 or later.
PP-2 Continue participation in the National Flooding, 1.2 High Orange County General Fund Ongoing Carried Orange County underwent a successful Floodplain Management
Flood Insurance Program(NFIP)to Hurricane& Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward program(NFIP)audit by the NC Department of Public Safety
reduce the impact ofa future flood Tropical Storm Inspections (NCDPS)in June 2023. Current feedback from NCDPS is that the
event,mitigate effects of flooding,and Department program is in full compliance;with only a few minor deficiencies
allow citizens to be eligible for affordable noted,of which staff is aware of and actively working to address
flood insurance. into FY25. Staff hopes to procure Certified Floodplain Manager
(CFM)status in FY25.
Orange County's 2024 CPS rating was a score of Class 6,which
qualifies our constituents for a 20%discount in FEMA flood
insurance premiums. Staff hopes to maintain our relatively high
CPS score for FY25,with potential eventual score increase
(perhaps to Class 5),once staff is able to procure CFM status.
PP-3 Identify potential flood hazards of critical Flooding, 4.2 High OWASA CIP and Operating 2025-2030 Carried OWASA is developing a Climate Action Plan in 2025 to identify
infrastructure and mitigation measures Hurricane& Budgets Forward vulnerabilities and outline mitigation measures to address the
to address. Tropical Storm highest climate risks,including flood hazards of critical
infrastructure.
PP-4 Explore expanding situational awareness All Hazards 2.2 Medium Emergency Services, General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Orange County has collaborated with NC Dam Safetyto assess
tools and strategies for increased OWASA (existing staffsalaries) Forward local stream and dam gauges.To enhance situational awareness,
monitoring of local hazards such as CONTRAIL access has been granted to all fire chiefs with dam
installation of additional stream gauges gauges in theirjurisdiction.
PP-5 Pursue the acquisition and/or elevation Flooding 4.2 Medium Orange County Local,State grants, 2025-2030 New
of flood prone properties,including Planning and Federal grants
repetitive loss properties and Inspections
substantially damages properties. Department
Eno-Haw WSP
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2025
Page 2
6
Coal&
Action Hazard(s) Objective Lead Agency/ Potential Funding Implementation 2025
# Action Description Addressed Addressed Priority Department Source Timeline Status 2025 Implementation Status Comments
Natural Resource Protection
NRP-1 Strive to ensure future development Flooding, 1.1 High Orange County General Fund Ongoing Carried Moving into FY25,Orange County's ongoing stance(as defined in
occurs in a manner that protects Hurricane& Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward the UDO)is no new development within the SFHA,barring
floodplains,streams,wetlands,and other Tropical Storm Inspections extraneous/rare circumstances in which a property owner has
natural features which work to reduce Department fullyjustifed that there are no feasible alternatives for by-right
flood hazard susceptibility and continue development. Substantial improvements to existing structures
to enforce existing regulations pertaining within the SFHA are permitted;however,any/all construction
to stormwater management and erosion (new construction and/or or substantial improvements)will
control standards contained within the continue to require complete floodproofing per FEMA standards.
Orange County Unified Development Staffwill continue to require No-Rise studies for any fill within the
Ordinance. SFHA,and staff will continue to process CLOMR/LOMR
applications per regulatory requirements.
Structural Projects
SP-1 Explore the possibility of retrofitting All Hazards 4.2 Medium Emergency Services, Unified hazard 2025-2030 Carried Orange Countywill continueto identify opportunities to protect
critical facilities to harden against high Asset Management Mitigation Assistance Forward critical facilities from wind and lightning.
winds and lightning. (UHMA)
SP-2 Conduct a cost-benefit review during the All Hazards 4.2 Medium Emergency Services, Unified hazard 2025-2030 Carried This is being completed on a case-by-case basis with each new
planning and design phase of Asset Management Mitigation Assistance Forward facility and major retrofit.
construction of new government owned (UHMA)
facilities or critical facilities to determine
the feasibility of equipping the facility
with back-up generators,lightening
protection,high wind protection,and/or
361 compliant tornado shelters.
SP-3 Continue to identify and explore All Hazards 4.2 Medium Emergency Services, Unified hazard 2025-2030 Carried Orange County,in partnership with the Central Pines Regional
possibility of improving or retrofitting Asset Management, Mitigation Assistance Forward Council,is applying for a grant to assess generator specifications
existing critical facilities with on site OWASA (UHMA) for existing County facilities and estimate associated costs.
energy generation.
SP-4 Implement drainage improvement Flooding 4.2 Medium Emergency Services, State g ra nts,U H MA 2025-2030 New
projects to reduce flood risk. Planning and grants,other federal
Inspections grants
Department
Eno-Haw WSP
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2025
Page 3
7
Coal&
Action Hazard(s) Objective Lead Agency/ Potential Funding Implementation 2025
# Action Description Addressed Addressed Priority Department Source Timeline Status 2025 Implementation Status Comments
SP-5 Evaluate and implement planning, Flooding, 4.2 High Emergency Services Local,State grants, 2026-2030 New
engineering,operational,and mitigation Hurricane& Federal grants
measures along Morgan Creek to reduce Tropical Storm
downstream flood risk and enhance
system resilience,including exploring the
potential for University Lake Dam to be
utilized as part of a broader strategy
while evaluating alternative approaches.
Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic
analyses using current rainfall data and
develop updated flood inundation
mapping to inform decision-making.
Based on these findings,design and
prioritize mitigation actions and upgrade
monitoring and instrumentation systems
to support real-time situational
awareness and response.
Emergency Services
ES-1 Engage with regional stakeholders in All Hazards 3.2 Medium Emergency Services General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Orange County continues to provide ASIM training to
comprehensive emergency response (existing staffsalaries) Forward onboarding EMS personnel and others upon request.Emergency
planning including Complex Services initially began the application process for an Assistance
Coordinated Terror Attack response and to Firefighters Grant(AFG)to fund mass casualty incident(MCI)
Mass Casualty Incident response equipment and training but has instead incorporated it into the
planning. 2023-2024 budget.Additionally,Orange County Emergency
Services is in the initial planning phase of developing a
comprehensive MCI plan.Following the 2019 Regional Complex
Coordinated Terrorist Attack(CCTA)Plan,Orange County,in
partnership with Durham and Wake counties,hosted a series of
trainings to strengthen identified capabilities.
ES-2 Continue to provide warming/cooling Excessive Heat, 2.2 Medium Emergency Services General Fund 2025-2030 New
centers during extreme temperatures. Severe Winter (existing staffsalaries)
Weather
ES-3 Explore a box fan giveaway program for Excessive Heat 2.1,2.2 Medium Orange County Social General Fund 2025-2030 New
residents without central air Services/Aging (existing staffsalaries)
conditioning.
ES-4 Develop a comprehensive Emergency All Hazards 3.1 High Emergency Services State grants,UHMA 2025-2027 New
Operations Plan update with integration grants,other federal
of all three municipal Emergency grants
Operations Plans.
ES-5 Develop a Cou ntywide Tactical All Hazards 3.1 Medium Emergency Services General Funds 2025-2030 New
Interoperable Communications Plan, (existing staffsalaries)
addressing both voice communication
and data.
Eno-Haw WSP
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2025
Page 4
8
Coal&
Action Hazard(s) Objective Lead Agency/ Potential Funding Implementation 2025
# Action Description Addressed Addressed Priority Department Source Timeline Status 2025 Implementation Status Comments
ES-6 Improve situational awareness and All Hazards 3.1 Medium Emergency Services General Funds 2025-2030 New
interagency coordination during hazard (existing staffsalaries)
events by using mobile geospatial tools
that support real-time data sharing,
location tracking,and operational
overlays that can support both public
safety and non-public safety assets.
Public Education&Awareness
PEA-1 Provide education and outreach to All Hazards 2.1 Medium Emergency Services General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Orange County continues to host and sponsor Community
Orange County residents in multiple (existing staffsalaries) Forward Emergency Response Team(CERT)training,offering two CERT
languages before,during,and after a basic training courses annually and meeting regularlywith the
hazardous weather event and maintain a CERT Council.Orange County Emergency Services partners with
linkto the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Orange County Cooperative Extension to host an annual
Mitigation Plan on Orange County's summer camp that enhancesyouth resilience to hazards.
Website. Additionally,Orange County Emergency Management
collaborates with NCEM to host the Emergency Management
Experience,an all-girls summer camp focused on careers in
emergency management and first response.
Orange County remains committed to public education on
hazard risks and has developed a multilingual repository of
preparedness information.In 2024,the County updated the
Ready Orange website to support easy translation into multiple
languages and to clearly communicate hazard information and
preparedness measures.Emergency Management continues to
leverage social media and other platforms to educate residents
about natural hazards,including the creation of multilingual
preparedness graphics for targeted outreach and social media
use.Efforts are ongoing to ensure all communications,especially
OC Alert notifications,use plain language for accessibility and
clarity.
PEA-2 Engage in regional events,activities,and All Hazards 3.2 Medium Emergency Services General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Orange County actively participates in local and regional
training opportunities related to natural (existing staffsalaries) Forward exercises.In 2023,Orange County Emergency Services partnered
hazards in order to improve with OWASAto conduct a dam failure tabletop exercise.
communication,enhance,partnerships, Currently,Emergency Services is engaged in a Threat and Hazard
and improve planning efforts with other Identification and Risk Assessment(THIRA)to identify capability
local jurisdictions. gaps related to various hazards.Additionally,in 2021,Orange
County hosted a full-scale active shooter exercise at UNC
Hillsborough
PEA-3 Provide staff support and information on Flood, 2.1 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 Carried Updated information was posted in 2024 at Floodplain
Orange County's website to provide Hurricane and Planning and (existing staffsalaries) Forward Protection I Orange County,NC.Information also available on
education and assistance to residents Tropical Storm Inspections httos://www.orangecountvnc.gov/3427/Floods
experiencing floodplain,stormwater,and Department
erosion control issues.
Eno-Haw WSP
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2025
Page 5
9
Coal&
Action Hazard(s) Objective Lead Agency/ Potential Funding Implementation 2025
# Action Description L Addressed Addressed Priority Department Source Timeline Status 202S Implementation Status Comments
PEA-4 Continue to support strategies identified All Hazards 3.2 Medium Orange County Multiple 2023-2050 New Information on the Climate Action Plan and current progress can
in Orange County's Climate Action Plan Sustainability, be found at httos://www.orangecountync.ciov/3096/Climate-Action-Plan
PEA-5 Provide utility bill assistance to income Excessive Heat, 3.2 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 New
eligible residents. Winter Housing (existingstaffsalaries)
Weather
PEA-6 Conduct periodic heat mapping to Excessive Heat 3.2 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 New
understand which partsofOrange Sustainability, (existingstaffsalaries)
County are most vulnerable to excessive
heat.
PEA-7 Develop and begin implementing a Excessive Heat 2.2 Medium Orange County General Fund 2025-2030 New
countywide Heat Action Plan. Sustainability, (existingstaffsalaries)
Emergency Services
Eno-Haw WSP
Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2025
Page 6
10
Orange Water and Sewer Authority
OWASAOur community's trusted partner for dean-water and environmental protection
Subject: Support for Amendment to the Eno Haw Hazard Mitigation Plan to Include Morgan
Creek Flood Management Study
Dear Orange County Board of Commissioners,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Orange Water and Sewer Authority(OWASA), I am
writing to express our support for the proposed amendment(attached)to the Eno Haw Hazard
Mitigation Plan to include a comprehensive flood management study that potentially
incorporates OWASA's University Lake Dam as part of a broader strategy.
As the operator of critical water supply infrastructure, including University Lake Dam, OWASA
recognizes the essential role that coordinated, data-driven flood mitigation and planning plays
in protecting public safety, maintaining reliable water service, and safeguarding downstream
communities, homes, and assets. Incorporating the dam, among other strategies, into a
county-led flood management study represents a proactive and necessary step toward
enhancing regional resilience.
Aflood management study that evaluates planning, engineering, operational, and mitigation
measures along Morgan Creek to reduce downstream flood risk and enhance system
resilience, including exploring the potential for University Lake Dam to be utilized as part of a
broader strategy while evaluating alternative approaches will provide important insights into
flood risk reduction opportunities.This effort will also support coordination among local, state,
and regional partners during both routine operations and emergency response situations.
Our hope is that, based on the findings from this study, mitigation activities can be prioritized to
strengthen the county's ability to identify and prioritize flood risk reduction strategies and
support the needs of multiple jurisdictions, stakeholders and community members.
We appreciate the County's leadership in advancing hazard mitigation planning and strongly
encourage the formal adoption of this amendment(attached).
Please feel free to contact Todd Taylor, OWASA's Executive Director, at ttaylor@owasa.org, if
you have any questions or require additional information.
Sincerely,
Michael Hughes, PE
Chair, Board of Directors
Orange Water and Sewer Authority