In the recent coverage by Mercury News, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has classified parts of the Bay Area, specifically Alameda, Santa Clara, and Contra Costa counties, as high-risk areas, marked in deep red on its disaster map. This categorization highlights the concerning levels of danger these regions face compared to communities recently impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Data revealed that among the nine counties in the Bay Area, five are ranked in the 99th percentile for natural disaster risk, placing them within the top 15 across all 3,007 counties nationwide. Alameda County is ranked fourth, Santa Clara County fifth, and Contra Costa County sits at eighth in California for potential disaster threats.

In response to these alarming statistics, Contra Costa County is taking proactive measures to protect its residents through the development of the 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan. This comprehensive plan aims to prepare the community for various disasters, particularly the three significant natural threats facing the East Bay: earthquakes, wildfires, and landslides triggered by severe storms.

Last winter, a series of atmospheric rivers unleashed relentless rain on California, leading to the first major flooding, mudslides, and debris flows reported in Contra Costa County since 2017. As global temperatures rise, scientists predict an uptick in the frequency and intensity of severe storms. The county’s extensive 520-page document outlines numerous mitigation strategies for local officials to safeguard its 1.1 million residents from future disasters.

However, a significant gap remains in these planning efforts. The Office of Emergency Services, overseen by the county’s Board of Supervisors, currently has only four full-time emergency management positions and three staff members dedicated to planning, organizing, and maintaining the community alert system.

According to Contra Costa County’s mitigation plan, when factoring in potential annual losses from earthquakes, wildfires, coastal flooding, and heat waves on residential homes, commercial buildings, and critical infrastructure such as roads, railways, and utilities, the estimated economic impact could be as high as $575 million.