The Hazard Analysis for Meade County indicates no population area is hazard free.  The vulnerability to these hazards offers a continuing threat (earthquakes, landslides, transportation accidents, and human actions); many vary according to seasonal and climatic factors.  The county covers 300 square miles with an approximate population of 29,000 residents.  The terrain is rolling.  Principal streams are the Ohio River along all of the northern boundary and Otter Creek. Flooding can occur along the banks of either during times of heavy rainfall over extended periods.  Major transportation routes are US 31W and state highways;  60, 144, 228, 448, 933, 1051, 1638 and 1692. The Seaboard Systems Railroad crosses through the county.  Pipelines of 26” and 30” size carrying natural gas cross the county.  Hazardous materials facilities and storage areas are identified by the Meade County Emergency Planning Committee.

The following hazards, summarized below, have been identified for the county.
  
1. Severe Weather
            a.       Thunderstorms and related activity – quite frequent in our county.                        A severe thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong winds, hail or                       other phenomena.  Lightning is the most deadly phenomena                         associated with thunderstorms.
            b.       Winter storms – due to its mild, temperate climate, Meade County                         has experienced few severe winter storms.  Occasionally severe ice                         and/ or snowstorms do occur, but they are commonly light and of                         short duration.  Severe weather conditions normally occur during                         January and February.
            c.       Floods – occur as the result of excessive rainfall over short periods of                       time.  Floods are more prevalent during spring and summer months.
            d.       Tornadoes – may occur in any part of the county mainly during the                         months of March, April, and May, which also seems to have the                         most severe tornadoes.
2.      Earthquakes –Meade County is in an area affected by numerous fault            systems, none of which are visible to the naked eye. The New Madrid Fault          System as well as the Wabash Valley Fault system of southern Indiana          and Illinois and the Sharpsburg Fault system of eastern Kentucky have all          been active in recent decades. Risk of an earthquake is a daily possibility.
3.      War Related Incidents – Our county might be directly affected and could be          indirectly affected by the use of a weapon of mass destruction on the U.S. 4.      Transportation Accidents – These accidents pose a constant hazard to the          county. They occur daily, throughout the county.  They, most commonly,          take the form of motor vehicle collisions involving two or more cars, objects, or          persons.  Railroad-crossing accidents represents a portion of these          accidents.  Air and water accidents are less frequent.
5.      Energy Related Hazards and Energy Shortages/ Outages
            a.       Natural gas/ petroleum products present several potentially                         hazardous situations.  Most of these are concerned with                         transportation of natural gas/ petroleum in the county.  Accidental                         rupture of pipelines can result in fire, explosion, or both, resulting in                         property damage and possible injuries or loss of life.  Another major                         hazard involves the accident potential within storage areas.  The                         potential is especially great for fires and explosions in these areas,                         when careless handling or improper use of fire can produce                         catastrophic accidents.
            b.       Electrical transmission within the county creates some additional                         energy hazards.  Rupture or breakage of transmission lines is                         probably the most common hazard; this may result in structural fires                       or loss of life.
            c.       Power shortages/ outages in the county are a possibility and may                         be intensified by restrictions that could be placed on energy supplies                       nationwide.  The county should have an energy allocations plan                         available in the event of such a situation.
6.      Water Shortages – The county water system can be affected by equipment            failures, and occasional droughts, which may require voluntary conservation            measures; the issuing of water advisories or mandatory conservation orders;            and locating emergency pumps at other water systems.  This occurs primarily          during summer months.
7.      Hazardous Materials Accidents – The most serious threat comes from a            transportation accident when chemicals or other hazardous materials are            involved.  These have the potential of affecting great numbers of people over            large distances.   Businesses that store or use hazardous materials on their            property may pose a threat to life and property.
8.      Weapons of Mass Destruction, Terrorism, Civil Disturbance – B-NICE            (Biological, Nuclear, Incendiary, Chemical, Explosive) or COBRA (Chemical,            Ordinance, Biological, Radiological, Agents) are agents that may be illegally            employed to promote a specific philosophy or goal.