I. PURPOSE
· To identify potential hazards which could result in the loss of life, human suffering, and/or property damage.

II. UTILITY DESCRIPTION
· Any uncontrolled description of essential services: electric power, natural gas, or potable water.

A. Situation
· There is little or no history of major electric black outs involving the entire County.
· Most electric power outages were the result of severe weather, snow, and ice storms, in particular.
· A variety of natural gas transmission and service mains are located in Wood County.
· Range in size from 1" to 48" in diameter.
· Service disruptions due to breaks in the lines.
· No major/minor disasters involving natural gas lines.
· Some customers have experienced lowered gas pressure during severe cold weather.
· Water service disruptions are associated with severe cold weather when water transmission mains and service lines become frozen.

B. Service Providers
· Electrical Power: Allegheny Power
· Natural Gas: Hope Gas Company
· Water: City of Parkersburg, Vienna, and Williamstown
Claywood Park PSD
Lubeck PSD
Union-Williams PSD

III. LANDSLIDES
· Earth/soil moving down a slope.

A. Situation
· Soil and slope conditions in Wood County are prone to landslides:
· Silty clay soils
· Sand clay loamed soils
· 80% of terrain involves sloping to steep ground
· Utility and communication disruptions may result from landslide activities.

B. Types of Potential Landslides
· Slumps - downslope rotation of detached slump blocks along curved slip surfaces
· Rockfalls and Soilfalls - occur on extreme verticle slopes, bedrock, or unconsolidated materials
· Debris Slides/Avalanches/Flows - involve various sorts of materials (soil, colluvium, vegetation, etc.) sliding down slope
· Earthflows/Mudflows - involve slope soils and materials becoming saturated with water, particularly on hillsides, composed of poorly drained clay soils
· Blockslides/Rockslides - involve massive amounts of rock or debris which overlie a weak layer of soil

V. FLOODS/FLASHFLOODS
· Flood: the rise of a stream/river above and out of its banks due to excessive rainfall or melting of snowfall.
· Flashflood: localized flood which rises and subsidies rapidly.
· Debris accumulation in rivers and streams can cause flooding.

A. Situation
· Both the Ohio River and the Little Kanawha River have flooding histories.
· Ohio River Floodstage: 36'
· Little Kanawha River Floodstage 20'
· The City of Parkersburg is protected from flooding on the Ohio River by a floodwall.
· Other streams with histories of flooding/flash flooding are: Tucker Creek, Slate Creek, Tygart Creek, and Sandy Creek.
· Gradual rise flooding on the Ohio River has diminished as the result of:
· Ohio River Lock and Dam System
· Parkersburg Floodwall
· Gradual rise flooding could affect all of the incorporated areas along the Ohio River, industrial sites, residential, and agricultural areas.
· Would cause backwash flooding on the Little Kanawha River
· Could result in substantial property damage but little injury or loss of life
· Flash flooding is common in Wood County any only rarely results in property damage due to development patterns.

B. Areas of High Hazard Flood Potential

· Little Kanawha River - Enters Wood County from the east near Slate, West Virginia and meanders roughly through the middle dissecting Parkersburg then emptying into the Ohio River. Potential damage may occur to residential, industrial, and commercial sites. West Virginia Routes 14 and 47, along with east-west rail, may be impassible in spots. Most of the flooding along this stream pattern occurs once the Ohio River is above flood stage.
· Tucker Creek - Located in Wirt County, however it borders Wood County and empties into the Little Kanawha River potentially causing the Little Kanawha River to flood downstream.
· Slate Creek - Located in the southeastern portion of the County. It is a very rural setting with scattered housing and agricultural lands. The entire surrounding area is primarily forested. West Virginia Routes 14 and 47 and County Route 19, including several bridges, may be im- passable in spots.
· Tygart Creek - Located in the southcentral portion of Wood County. It is a north flowing stream which eventually empties into the Little Kanawha River. Interstate 77 and West Virginia Route 21 follows on each side the length of the stream while crossing it at several points. Interstate 77 was build on an elevated plane and would not normally flood. West Virginia Route 21, however, was built at the level of stream and could potentially affect agricultural, commercial, and resi- dential landuse.
· Sandy Creek - Located in the southwestern portion of Wood County. The area which is known as the Lubeck District is one of the fastest growing area in the County. West Virginia Route 68, West Virginia Route 892, and County Route 9 could potentially flood in spots. Agri- cultural and scattered residents could be affected.