Strategy St. James P-1 : Continue program for evaluation and improvement of critical facilities (public and private) – roads, bridges, water, sewer, electricity, etc. – and critical services – fire, rescue, medical, etc.
Progress: The Town has worked closely over the last five years to improve upon the stability and effectiveness of critical facilities within and adjacent to the Town of St. James. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC5, BC16
Strategy St. James P-2: Consider participation in the Community Rating System using Hazard Mitigation Plan components to fulfill application requirements.
Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan E:123 Progress: The Town has not joined the CRS program to date. Participation in the program will be
considered through implementation of this plan update. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC7
Strategy St. James P-3: In cooperation with Brunswick County, review and update as necessary the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to ensure maximum protection from flood hazard events (CRS 430). Consider raising the minimum flood protection level from 1 ' above base flood elevation to 2' or more above BFE.
Progress: The Town continues to review/update and enforce the local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance as required by NCDPS and FEMA. No updates have been conducted over the last five years.
The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC9
Strategy St. James P-4: Employ specific provisions of the zoning ordinance to seek ways to expand the ETJ as well as the existing corporate limits to control land use.
Progress: This strategy is being eliminated from the plan due to the political restrictions surrounding this issue.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC10
Strategy St. James P-5: In cooperation with Brunswick County, review rebuilding activities after major storm events to determine how revisions to existing policies and procedures could help minimize repetitive losses.
Progress: The Town has worked closely with Brunswick County to establish a response and rebuilding plan that will expedite this process following natural hazard events. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County- wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC13
Strategy St. James P-6: Consider an inventory of existing lots and structures within flood hazard areas to establish base flood elevation and finished 1 st floor elevation.
Progress: This strategy has been accomplished through the NC Flood Maps update process. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed
Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan E:124 through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC17
Strategy St. James PP-4: The Town will continue to actively participate in the Fire Wise program to reduce and remove debris that has the potential for fire hazards.
Progress: The Town has effectively carried out activities associated with the Firewise program. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of
collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC59
Strategy St. James PP-5: The Town will continue to pursue efforts to reduce storm water runoff by draining, in advance of major storm events, the numerous retention ponds located on golf courses to reduce the amount of localized flooding.
Progress: The Town has pro-actively carried out this process over the last five years in advance of storm events. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2).
This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC5, BC60
Strategy St. James ES-1 : In cooperation with Brunswick County, ensure adequate evacuation time in case of major hazard events. The Mayor of St. James can invoke mandatory evacuation when needed.
Progress: The Town has worked closely with Brunswick County Emergency Management to ensure that effective and accessible evacuation routes are maintained and properly advertised. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC5, BC21
Strategy St. James ES-2: Evaluate areas with limited evacuation capacity and pursue methods for improving capacity. The Town of St. James has the ability, in case of an emergency evacuation, to open a secondary exit route via the application of gravel to an existing drainage ditch.
Progress: The Town has worked closely with Brunswick County Emergency Management to ensure that effective and accessible evacuation routes are maintained and properly advertised. The actions defined
Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan E:125 under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC5, BC21
Strategy St. James ES-3: Evaluate flood or access problems for critical facilities and develop recommendations for protecting these facilities. Identify alternate command post sites.
Progress: Although the Town has not been able to make any substantive changes regarding critical facility vulnerability, efforts have focused on identifying needs that may be addressed through future plan updates. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through
updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective
intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC3, BC5
Strategy St. James S-1 : Continue debris removal program to reduce potential hazards during a hazard event.
Progress: The Town has maintained a contract with a qualified post-disaster debris removal contractor over the last five years. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC38
Strategy St. James S-2: In cooperation with Brunswick County, continue to support the dredging of waterways to improve function and water quality.
Progress: The Town has supported efforts by Brunswick County and adjacent municipalities to ensure maintenance of waterways in an effort to maintain access to local inlets and waterways. The actions defined under this locally specific strategy statement will continue, but are now addressed through updated language presented in the County-wide Mitigation Strategies (Table 6-2). This change is a result of collaborative efforts focused on developing an effective Regional plan with effective
intergovernmental coordination and cooperation.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC40
Strategy St. James PI-1 : Develop and implement a hazard awareness program (elevation certificates, FIRM data, bulletin on property protection measures and flood insurance, etc.) that is available through the County’s website www .brunsco.net and also available through the St. James website www .townofstjamesnc.org (CRS 310/320/330/340/440).
Southeastern NC Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan E:126 Progress: The Town’s Planning Department maintains a well-trained staff which provides
comprehensive services to property owners regarding building and development. These services include guidance regarding development in the defined flood hazard areas. The department also maintain a library of materials available for review by citizens and builders. These materials are also made available through local library branches and provided to local real estate agents in an effort to provide
comprehensive education and outreach regarding development in hazard prone areas. The County, in collaboration with participating municipal jurisdictions, will continue to maintain and provide this information through respective local planning and inspections offices throughout the County.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC1, BC5
Strategy St. James PI-2: Continue to educate town residents of potential effects of hurricanes and other natural disasters through the annual “Hurricane Awareness Symposium.”
Progress: The Town’s Planning Department maintains a well-trained staff which provides
comprehensive services to property owners regarding building and development. These services include guidance regarding development in the defined flood hazard areas. The department also maintain a library of materials available for review by citizens and builders. These materials are also made available through local library branches and provided to local real estate agents in an effort to provide comprehensive education and outreach regarding development in hazard prone areas. The County, in collaboration with participating municipal jurisdictions, will continue to maintain and provide this information through respective local planning and inspections offices throughout the County.
Status/Corresponding 2015 Strategy: BC1, BC5