Definitions
Civil Disorder - A terrorist attack, riot, violent protest,
demonstration, or illegal assembly.
Dam Failure - The uncontrolled release of impounded water
resulting in downstream flooding.
Drought - A prolonged period with no rain, particularly during
the planting and growing season in agricultural areas. Drought
can also affect urban areas particularly those dependent on
reservoirs for their water.
Earthquake - The sudden motion or trembling of the ground
produced by abrupt displacement of rock masses, usually within
the upper 10 to 20 miles of the Earth.
Flood/Flash Flood - A general and temporary condition of partial
or complete inundation of normally dry land from the following:
(a) overflow of inland or tidal waters; (b) unusual or rapid
accumulation of runoff or surface waters; (c) mud slides/mud flows
caused by accumulation of water; and (d) a situation in which
rainfall is so intense and severe and runoff so rapid that it
precludes recording and relating it to stream stages and other
information in time to forecast a flood condition.
Hazardous Materials Incident (Fixed Facility) - The uncontrolled
release of materials from a fixed site.
Hazardous Materials Transportation Incident - The uncontrolled
release of hazardous materials during transport.
Hurricanes- Tropical cyclones, formed in the atmosphere over
warm ocean areas, in which wind speeds reach 74 miles per hour or
more and blow in a large spiral around a relatively calm center
or "eye." Circulation is counterclockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Power Failure - Any interruption or loss of electrical service
due to disruption of power generation or transmission caused by
accident, sabotage, natural hazards, equipment failure, or fuel
shortage. Such interruptions typically last for periods of a few
seconds to several days. A significant power failure is
defined as any incident which would require the involvement of
the local emergency management organization to coordinate
provision of food, water, heating, etc.
Radiological Transportation Incident - Any incident that
involves a transportation vehicle or shipment containing
radioactive materials.
Subsidence - Depressions, cracks, and sinkholes in the earth s
surface which can threaten people and property. Subsidence
depressions, which normally occur over many days to a few years,
may damage structures with low strain tolerances such as dams,
factories, nuclear reactors, and utility lines. The sudden
collapse of the ground surface to form sinkholes, many tens of
yards wide and deep within the span of a few minutes to a few
hours, poses immediate threat to life and property.
Tornado - A local atmospheric storm, generally of short
duration, formed by winds rotating at very high speeds, usually
in a counterclockwise direction. The vortex, up to several
hundred yards wide, is visible to the observer as a whirlpool-
like column of winds rotating about a hollow cavity or funnel.
Winds have been estimated to be in excess of 300 miles per hour.
Transportation Incident - An incident involving passenger air or
rail travel resulting in death or injury.
Urban Fire - Uncontrolled burning in residential, commercial,
industrial, institutional, or other properties in developed
areas.
Wildfire - Any instance of uncontrolled burning in grasslands,
brush, or woodlands.
Winter Storm (Severe) - Includes ice storms, blizzards, and extreme
cold. The National Weather Service characterizes blizzards as
being combinations of winds in excess of 35 miles per hour with
considerable falling or blowing snow which frequently reduces
visibility to 0.25 miles or less.
Please send comments to : Glen
Mears:bpoep@beau.org
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