10 Staff Report.Local Hazard Mitigation Plan with attachments
PREPARED BY: Paul Horvat
Emergency Services Coordinator
Reviewed by: Interim Town Manager, Town Attorney, and Finance Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● (408) 354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 09/17/2024 ITEM NO: 10
DATE: September 12, 2024
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: Katy Nomura, Interim Town Manager
SUBJECT: Adopt a Resolution Approving the Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan (LHMP) Annex to the County of Santa Clara Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan (MJHMP)
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) approving the Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan (LHMP) Annex to the County of Santa Clara Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
(MJHMP).
BACKGROUND:
In 2000, the United States Congress adopted the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 as an
amendment to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford
Act) to authorize a program for pre-disaster mitigation efforts. Congress realized that disasters
posed a great danger to human life and property. Congress determined a larger emphasis
needed to be placed on identifying these natural and human-caused hazards and proactively
assessing the risks posed to communities. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 provides
guidance to local jurisdictions to develop a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). A LHMP is not
required by law, but for a jurisdiction to be eligible for pre- and post-disaster mitigation funds
or to receive Federal disaster relief through the Stafford Act, a jurisdiction must maintain an
LHMP.
The Town of Los Gatos Town Manager’s Office has prepared its Annex to the County of Santa
Clara Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) to ensure compliance with the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the requirements of the latest Federal Emergency
Management Agency’s (FEMA) State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide. This LHMP Annex has
been coordinated with the County of Santa Clara’s MJHMP. The MJHMP has been approved by
PAGE 2 OF 3 SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan (LHMP) Annex to the County of Santa Clara Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP) DATE: January 4, 2024
FEMA and California Office of Emergency Services on behalf of the County and participating
cities.
DISCUSSION:
Hazard mitigation planning is the basis for a community’s long-term strategy to reduce disaster
risk and losses through the ongoing evaluation and analysis of an ever-changing environment.
This LHMP Annex identifies the Town’s known natural and human-caused disaster risks. It
provides a plan for departments, stakeholders, and the community to decrease risk and loss
through various mitigation efforts. This LHMP Annex creates the framework for risk-based
decision making to reduce loss of life and injuries as well as lessen damage to property and the
economy from future disasters.
As the costs of disaster management and recovery continue to rise, jurisdictions must find ways
to reduce hazard risks to their communities. Hazard mitigation efforts are essential both before
and after a disaster. Often following a disaster, repairs and reconstruction are completed to
simply restore damaged property to pre-disaster conditions. These efforts may get the
community back to normal for a time, but the replication of pre-disaster conditions may result
in a repetitive cycle of damage and reconstruction. Hazard mitigation breaks this cycle using a
long-term view of rebuilding and recovering after a disaster, by looking at what happened and
how the impacts can be lessened if a disaster reoccurs. The implementation of these mitigation
actions builds stronger, safer, and smarter communities that are better able to reduce future
loss of life and property.
The Town’s comprehensive approach to mitigation employs the following varied techniques:
• Prevention: the Town utilizes administrative and regulatory actions, such as planning
and zoning requirements, that influence the way land and buildings are developed to
reduce hazard losses.
• Natural Resource Protection: actions minimize hazard loss and preserve or restore the
functions of natural systems via vegetation management and post-wildfire watershed
management.
• Property Protection: modification of structures, such as seismic retrofit or bolt and
brace projects, decrease the physical damage to property.
• Public Education and Awareness: informing the public, residents and businesses about
hazards and ways to reduce their own loss and to lower risk in the community.
This LHMP Annex is designed to be used as a hazard identification and analysis reference
document to help the Town reduce or eliminate long-term risk from identified hazards or
disasters. It should be considered during pre- and post-disaster planning efforts. This LHMP
PAGE 3 OF 3 SUBJECT: Adoption of a Resolution Approving the Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan (LHMP) Annex to the County of Santa Clara Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP) DATE: January 4, 2024
Annex will be a companion document to the Town of Los Gatos General Plan – Hazards and
Safety Element.
This LHMP Annex shall be reviewed internally on an annual basis and will follow the County’s
update cycle which occurs every five years in accordance with the requirements of the Disaster
Mitigation Act of 2000. Future five-year updates will return to the Town Council for approval while
periodic revisions will be managed by the Town Manager’s Office operationally to ensure the
document remains relevant and useful.
CONCLUSION:
This LHMP Annex is a vital component of the Town’s emergency management goals. Staff
recommends adoption of the attached resolution (Attachment 1).
COORDINATION:
This LHMP Annex has been coordinated with the Parks and Public Works Department, Town
Manager’s Office, Town Attorney’s Office, County of Santa Clara Department of Emergency
Management, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This LHMP Annex was prepared with Town staff resources and did not result in any additional
costs.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA, and no further action is required.
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation Annex to the County of Santa Clara Multi-
Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
1 of 2 Draft Resolution Adoption Date
ATTACHMENT 1
DRAFT RESOLUTION RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
ADOPTING THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (LHMP)
ANNEX TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD
MITIGATION PLAN
WHEREAS, the preservation of life and property is an inherent responsibility of local,
State, and Federal government; and
WHEREAS, reasonable plans carried out by knowledgeable and well-trained personnel
can and will mitigate hazards despite the fact that no plan can completely prevent death and
destruction; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is subject to various earthquake-related hazards such
as ground shaking, liquefaction, landslides, and fault surface rupture; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is subject to various weather-related hazards
including wildfires, floods, and landslides; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos seeks to maintain and enhance a disaster-resilient
Town by reducing the potential loss of life, property damage, and environmental degradation
from natural disasters, while accelerating economic recovery from those disasters; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos is committed to increasing the disaster resilience of
the infrastructure, health, housing, economy, government services, education, environment,
and land use systems in the Town of Los Gatos; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all cities, counties, and
special districts to have adopted a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to receive disaster mitigation
funding from FEMA; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Los Gatos, in cooperation with County of Santa Clara has
prepared this Town Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Annex to the County of Santa Clara
Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP), in compliance with California
Government Code Sections 8685.9 and 65302.6, in alignment with Federal and State mitigation
priorities; and
WHEREAS, this plan must be reviewed and updated annually, with minor improvements
and adjustments made as necessary and appropriate—by the Director of Emergency
Services/Town Manager or his/her designee to satisfy changing conditions and needs.
2 of 2 Draft Resolution Adoption Date
ATTACHMENT 1
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that:
1. The Town of Los Gatos Council hereby adopts the Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan (LHMP) Annex, hereby incorporated as Exhibit A, to the County of Santa Clara Multi-
Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJLHMP).
2. The Town of Los Gatos Council designates the Director of Emergency Services/Town Manager
or his/her designee, to make minor improvements and adjustments to this Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan (LHMP) as necessary and appropriate to satisfy changing conditions and needs.
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Los
Gatos, California, held on September 17, 2024, by the following vote:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
SIGNED:
_______________________________
MAYOR OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
DATE: __________________
ATTEST:
___________________________________
TOWN CLERK OF THE TOWN OF LOS GATOS
LOS GATOS, CALIFORNIA
Town of Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Annex
Hazard Mitigation Plan Points of Contact
The point of contact during the Santa Clara County Multijurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) planning process for the Town of Los Gatos was the Director of Parks and Public Works. This annex within the MJHMP was developed using information provided by the Local Planning Team of the Town of Los Gatos.
Table 1: Town of Los Gatos Local Planning Team Members for the 2023 Santa Clara County MJHMP
Name Position Department Role on Team and in Planning Process
Nicolle Burnham Director of Parks
and Public Works/Floodplain
Administrator
Parks and Public
Works
General oversight, hazard
identification, and plan development
Holly Young Senior Analyst Office of Town Manager Hazard identification and plan development
The Town’s Local Planning Team Members participated in the MJHMP by attending meetings on the Plan Kick-Off, Risk Assessment, Capabilities Assessment, Mitigation Strategy, Wrap-up, and two one-on-one
meetings with the planning consultant. In addition, the Town filled out the requested forms on each section or provided the requested information verbally to the planning consultant. The Town also shared
information regarding public opportunities to participate in the draft plan update utilizing the digital survey and seven in-person and virtual public outreach meetings. Further, the Town was provided the opportunity to review the draft plan prior to submittal to Cal OES and FEMA.
Table 2: External Stakeholders Invited to Be Involved in Planning Process
Agency or Organization Agency or Organization
American Red Cross Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E)
American Red Cross – Silicon Valley Chapter Purissima Water District
Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) Ravenswood Family Health Center
Avenidas Regional Water Quality Control Board
CADRE - Collaborating Agencies’ Disaster Relief Effort Rotating Safe Car Park
California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) San Francisquito Creek Joint Powers
Authority
ATTACHMENT 2
Agency or Organization Agency or Organization
Cal OES Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority
(SVACA)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Silicon Valley Clean Energy
California Department of Transportation St. Louise Hospital (Santa Clara County Hospital System)
Cattlemen’s Association Stanford Healthcare
City of Menlo Park Stanford University
Cooper-Garrod Estate Vineyards Stanford University Board of Trustees
Department of Homeland Security Stanford University Office of Emergency Management
Department of Toxic Substances Stanford University, IT Facilities, Infrastructure, and Resilience
Downtown Streets Team Stanford University, Water Resources
and Civil Infrastructure
Emergency Medical Services Stanford University/Real Estate
Emergency Services Volunteer Representative The Villas
Federal Aviation Administration Valley Water Flood Information Team
Fellowship Plaza Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Foothill - De Anza Community College District West Valley Clean Water Program
Authority
Foothill - De Anza Community College District Police Department West Valley College
Gavilan College West Valley Sanitation District
Google Westwind Barn
Hidden Villa farm
Intel Corporation
Kaiser Permanente—Santa Clara
Life Moves
Loma Prieta Volunteer Fire Department
Los Altos Hills County Fire District
Los Altos School District
Loma Prieta Resource Conservation District
Moffett Park Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Pacheco Pass Water District
The Town supported a “whole community” approach to this plan update. Neighboring communities, local and regional agencies involved in mitigation activities, agencies that have the authority to regulate development as well as businesses, academia, and other private and non-profit interests were invited to be involved in the planning process by participating in planning meetings, public meetings, or reviewing
the draft plan. The Town identified community stakeholders as shown in Table 281, Additional stakeholders that were able to participate is include in Volume 1 of this plan. In addition to inviting a wide range of stakeholders, the Town supported public outreach and engagement
through distributing a digital survey utilizing social media. This survey reached members of underserved populations, including primarily non-English speaking households. The public was also provided the opportunity to comment on the draft plan.
Figure 1 Town of Los Gatos Public Survey Records
Figure 2 Los Gatos Public Survey Nextdoor Post
In addition, the MJHMP was discussed at two virtual and five in-person public meetings across Santa Clara County. These in-person meetings were targeted towards areas with socially vulnerably populations. These meetings were also designed to be accessible for AFN (access and functional needs) populations. The Town promoted the in-person meetings on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Figure 3: Los Gatos Community Meeting Nextdoor Post
The participation of the Town of Los Gatos and its stakeholders helped inform the development of the MJHMP and this annex in accordance with current priorities. The new plan continues to expand upon the work of the prior plan including emphasizing partnerships both within jurisdictions and special districts as well as with external stakeholders. Further, there is an increased emphasis on climate change, reflecting the increased understanding of the risk this hazard poses to the OA. The Town did not identify additional changes in priorities to be highlighted in their annex.
Jurisdiction Profile
The following is a summary of key information about the jurisdiction and its history:
Date of Incorporation: August 10, 1887
Current Population: 33,062 as of January 1, 2022
Population Growth: The Town of Los Gatos has experienced a 0.4 percent decline in the population between 2021 (33,193) and 2022 (33,062), according to the California Department of Finance. However, the Town has seen a steady increase in population over the last decade, from 29,413 in 2010, to 32,402 in 2022, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Location and Description: The Town of Los Gatos, California, is nestled at the base of the Sierra Azules, approximately 60 miles south of San Francisco, in the southwestern portion of Santa Clara County, where the Santa Clara Valley meets the lower slopes of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Los Gatos is bounded by the City of San José to the north and east, the City of Campbell to the north, the Cities of Monte Sereno and Saratoga to the west, and the unincorporated County of
Santa Clara and the County of Santa Cruz to the south. Los Gatos encompasses a wide variety of terrain, both the valley and hillsides are interspersed with creeks, streams, and riparian habitat.
Brief History: The name Los Gatos comes from “El Rancho de Los Gatos,” a ranch established in 1839 by a Mexican land grant and so named because of the large number of mountain lions in the area. Wheat production in the mid-1800s gave way to orchards, and rapid growth ensued when the railroad reached Los Gatos in 1878. Residential subdivisions were built and by 1887,
the population had grown to 1,500, and Los Gatans voted to incorporate. Highway 17 was constructed through the center of Town, opening in 1940. Los Gatos grew slowly over the first 80 years, but today Los Gatos covers nearly 15 square miles and has a population of over 30,000.
Climate: Los Gatos enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. Summers are dry and warm in the 80- to 100-degree Fahrenheit (°F) range. Winters are temperate and semi-moist in the 40-60°F range. Los Gatos receives most of its precipitation in December through March. The average annual
precipitation is 30.7 inches, making Los Gatos wetter than most places in California.
Governing Body Format: The Town of Los Gatos is governed by a five-member Town Council that sets policy that the Town Manager is responsible for administering. The Town Council assumes responsibility for the adoption of this Plan, and the Town Manager will oversee its implementation.
The Town consists of nine departments: the Town Manager’s Office, Clerk, Town Attorney, Finance, Human Resources, Library, Police, Community Development, and Parks and Public
Works. The Town is served by 14 Boards, Commissions, and Committees, which are all advisory to the Town Council.
Development Trends
According to the 2020 Land Use Element of the Los Gatos General Plan, preserving the small-town heritage, natural setting, and architectural diversity is important to this community. Anticipated residential and commercial development levels for Los Gatos are low to moderate, consisting primarily of residential
remodels and commercial renovations. The Town’s Housing Element, adopted in 2015, identifies strategies to meet the Town’s share of the regional housing needs, including a focus on affordable housing and increasing the number of second units on existing properties. The Town of Los Gatos 2040 General Plan was adopted on June 30, 2022, and includes elements relating to racial, social, and environmental justice, community design, public facilities, open spaces, and hazard safety. Future growth and development in Los Gatos are managed in accordance with this plan.
The Town of Los Gatos has increased its population since the previous plan was developed, but most developments were remodels and commercial renovations. All new development was subject to the regulatory capabilities identified in this annex. For those hazards that have townwide impacts (including Earthquake, Drought, Inclement Weather – Heavy Precipitation/Atmospheric River/High Winds/Extreme Heat/Extreme Cold) the Town estimated that vulnerability had increased due to new development and the annexation of unincorporated County land which has occurred. More details regarding recent and future developments are outlined in Table 282. Hazards with a more clearly identified extent and location (Wildfire, Flood, Dam/Levee Failure, Landslide/Mass Movement) are harder to define. No significant development was noted downstream of a high hazard potential dam. Residential development may have occurred in the SFHA, high landslide susceptibility zones, or areas at high risk of wildfire, but the town cannot estimate the precise impact this would have on its vulnerability. Given that most of the town is already built out with limited vacant property that is even buildable, it is anticipated the change in vulnerability to these hazards due to increased development has been minimal to none.
Table 3: Recent and Expected Future Development Trends
Criterion Response
Has your jurisdiction annexed any land since the development of the previous hazard mitigation plan?
If yes, give the estimated area annexed and estimated number of parcels or structures.
Yes, in June 2019 the Town annexed 23 County unincorporated pockets-116 acres total. This included 308 single family parcels.
Is your jurisdiction expected to annex any areas during the performance period of this plan?
If yes, please describe land areas and dominant uses.
If yes, who currently has permitting authority over these areas?
Yes, the Town will continually annex unincorporated county lands. This land will be 90% residential. The Town has permitting authority.
Are any areas targeted for development or major redevelopment in the next five years?
If yes, please briefly describe, including whether any of the areas are in known hazard risk areas.
Yes, Valley Floor, North 40. Plan adopted in 2014; construction continuing (currently in phase 2). Sites have been identified for potential redevelopment in the sites
inventory of the Town’s Housing Element.
How many building permits were issued in your jurisdiction since the development of the previous hazard mitigation plan?
Year 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total Number of Permits
1348 1402 1519 1339 1590 1478
Please provide the number of permits for each hazard area or provide a qualitative description of where development has occurred.
Development has occurred throughout the Town during the performance period for this plan. For hazards with a
clearly defined extent and location, the Town cannot estimate development impacts. For hazards with impacts
Town-wide, it is safe to assume that this new development could be subject to impacts from those
hazards. However, it is important to note that all new development was subject to the regulatory capabilities
identified in this annex.
Please describe the level of buildout in the jurisdiction, based on your jurisdiction’s buildable lands inventory. If no such inventory exists, provide a qualitative description.
The Town is largely built-out and there is very limited vacant property that is buildable.
Capability Assessment
Resources for the 2023 Planning Initiative
The following technical reports, plans, and regulatory mechanisms were reviewed to provide information for inclusion into the 2023 Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan for both Volume 1 and Volume 2 (Town of Los Gatos Annex). All the below items were additionally reviewed as part of the full capability assessment for the Town of Los Gatos.
General Plan: The General Plan, including the Land Use, Transportation and Safety Elements, was reviewed for information regarding goals and policies consistent with hazard mitigation to carry over as goals and objectives.
Capital Improvements Plan: The Capital Improvements Plan was reviewed to identify cross-planning initiatives.
Emergency Operations Plan: The EOP Base Plan was reviewed to identify existing and potential
mitigation planning strategies.
Other Plans: The Stormwater Management Plan, Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Ad Hoc Wildfire Committee Report, Green Stormwater Infrastructure, Green City Plans, and even the Parks and Recreation Master Plan were reviewed to identify possible integrative mitigation planning initiatives.
Municipal Code: The Municipal Code was reviewed for a full capability assessment and for
identifying opportunities for action plan integration.
Ordinances: The Flood Damage Prevention, Zoning, Subdivision, Stormwater Pollution Prevention and Watershed Protection, and Open Space ordinances were analyzed for alignment with natural hazard planning efforts.
Full Capability Assessment
An assessment of legal and regulatory capabilities is presented in Table 4 and Table 5. An assessment of fiscal capabilities is presented in Table 6. An assessment of staffing capabilities is presented in Table 7. An assessment of administrative and technical capabilities is presented in Table 8. Information on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance is presented in Table 9. An assessment of education and outreach capabilities is presented in Table 10. Classifications under various community
mitigation programs are presented in Table 11. Development and permitting capabilities are presented
in Table 12, and the community’s adaptive capacity for the impacts of climate change is presented in Table 13.
Table 4: Legal and Regulatory Capabilities: Codes, Ordinances, and Requirements
Legal and Regulatory Capability
Local Authority
Other Jurisdiction Authority
State Mandated Integration Opportunity?
Building Code Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 6 was amended in 2022. The 2022 California Building Code Title 24,
Part 1 and Part 2, Volumes 1 and 2 are adopted by reference.
Zoning Ordinance Yes No Yes No
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 29
Subdivision Ordinance Yes No Yes No
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 24
Stormwater Management Ordinance
Yes No No Yes
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 22
Legal and Regulatory Capability
Local Authority
Other Jurisdiction Authority
State Mandated Integration Opportunity?
Other Natural Hazard-Specific Ordinances
Yes No Yes Yes
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 8, 9, and 12
Post-Disaster Recovery Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 8
Real Estate Disclosure No No Yes No
Comment : Cal. Civ. Code §1102 et seq.
Growth Management Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Town Code Chapter 29, 2016 and Town’s General Plan, 2010; Cal. Gov. Code §65300 et
seq.
Site Plan
Review Yes Yes Yes No
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 29
Environmental Protection Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Lead Agency for project level CEQA review
Flood Damage
Prevention Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 29
Emergency Management Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Town Code Chapter 8
Climate
Change Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Town Code, Chapter 9
Acquisition of land for open space and public recreation uses
No No No No
Comment: None Identified.
Table 5: Planning, Legal, and Regulatory Capabilities
Planning, Legal, or Regulatory Capability Local Authority
Other Jurisdiction Authority
State Mandated Integration Opportunity?
General Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes
Is the plan compliant with Assembly Bill 2140? Yes, the General Plan contains a Hazard and Safety Element
Comment: Los Gatos 2040 General Plan was adopted June 30, 2022
Capital Improvement Plan Yes No No Yes
How often is the plan updated? Annually
Comment : Los Gatos Capital Improvement Program
Floodplain or Watershed Plan Yes Yes No No
Comment: Santa Clara Valley Water District
Stormwater Management Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: West Valley Clean Water Program, Santa Clara County Drainage Manual, Santa Clara
Valley Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Program
Urban Water Management Plan No Yes Yes Yes
Comment: West Valley Clean Water Program
Habitat Conservation Plan No No No No
Comment: None Identified
Green Infrastructure Plan Yes No No Yes
Comment: Town of Los Altos Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan, 2019
Parks or Open Space Plan Yes No Yes Yes
Comment: General Plan 2040, Element 7
Economic Development Plan No No No No
Comment: None identified.
Transportation Plan Yes No Yes Yes
Comment: General Plan 2040, Mobility Element
Shoreline Management Plan No No No No
Comment: None identified.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan No Yes Yes Yes
Comment: Santa Clara County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, Annex 9
Forest Management Plan No No No No
Comment: None identified.
Climate Action Plan Yes Yes No Yes
Comment: Sustainability Plan, 2012
Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan No No No No
Comment: None identified.
Local Emergency Operations Plan Yes Yes Yes Yes
Planning, Legal, or Regulatory Capability Local Authority
Other Jurisdiction Authority
State Mandated Integration Opportunity?
Comment: Los Gatos Emergency Operations Plan ( EOP), 2015
Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) Yes Yes Yes Yes
Comment: The THIRA is included in the Emergency Operations Plan, Page 14.
Post-Disaster Recovery Plan Yes No No Yes
Comment: Emergency Operations Plan, 2015 Page 34
Continuity of Operations Plan Informal No No No
Comment: Informal plan
Public Health Plan No Yes No Yes
Comment: Santa Clara County Department of Public Health
Other: Hillside Protection Plan Yes No No Yes
Comment: The Hillside Development Standards and Guidelines were adopted by the Town Council in January 2004.
Table 6: Financial Capabilities
Financial Capability Could the resource be used to fund future mitigation activities?
Has the funding resource been used in the past for mitigation activities? If yes, for what type of mitigation activities?
Community Development
Block Grants Yes No
Other Federal Funding Programs Yes Yes
Vegetation Management
Capital Improvements Project
Funding Yes Yes
Vegetation Management
Authority to Levy Taxes for Specific Purposes Yes No
User Fees for Water, Sewer,
Gas or Electric Services No No
Stormwater Utility Fee No No
Incur Debt through General Obligation Bonds Yes No
Incur Debt through Special
Tax Bonds Yes No
Incur Debt through Private Activity Bonds No No
Withhold Public Expenditures
in Hazard-Prone Areas No No
State Funding Programs Yes Yes
Fuel Load Reduction
Financial Capability Could the resource be used to fund future mitigation activities?
Has the funding resource been used in the past for mitigation activities? If yes, for what type of mitigation activities?
Development Impact Fees for Homebuyers or Developers Yes No
Public or Private Partnership Funding Sources No No
Other Funding Sources No No
Table 7: Staffing Capabilities
Staffing Capability Have Capability? Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations? Is staff trained on natural hazards and mitigation?
Chief Building Official Yes
Full Time
Community Development Department, Building Division
Yes Yes
Parks and Recreation Director Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department
Yes Yes
Emergency Manager Yes
Part Time
Town Manager’s Office
Yes Yes
Community Planner Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department, Community Development Department
Yes Yes
Civil Engineer Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department, Community Development Department
Yes Yes
Engineers or professionals
trained in building or infrastructure construction practices
Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department, Community Development Department
Yes Yes
Staffing Capability Have Capability? Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations? Is staff trained on natural hazards and mitigation?
Planners or engineers with knowledge of land development and land management practices
Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department, Community
Development Department
Yes Yes
Planners or engineers with an understanding of natural hazards
Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works
Department, Community Development Department
Yes Yes
Surveyors No No No
GIS Coordinator or personnel skilled or trained in GIS applications
Yes
Contracted
Parks and Public Works Department, Community Development Department
Yes Unknown
Public Works Director Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department
Yes Yes
Fire Chief Yes
Contracted
Santa Clara County Fire Department
Yes Yes
Environmental Director Yes
Full Time
Parks and Public Works Department, Environmental Services
Yes Yes
Staff with training in benefit/cost analysis Yes
Full Time
Parks & Public Works Department
Yes Yes
Scientist familiar with natural hazards in local area
No No No
Table 8: Administrative and Technical Capabilities
Administrative or Technical Capability Have Capability? Has the capability been used to assess or mitigate risk in the past? If yes, what type of hazard event?
Maintenance programs to reduce risk Yes Yes, tree pruning and removal
Mutual aid agreements Yes Yes, agreements have been made with police and fire departments.
Hazard data and information No No
Hazus analysis or GIS software Yes GIS has been utilized in building and development review, as well as
permitting.
Grant writing No N/A
Does your jurisdiction have any established warning systems or services for hazard events?
Yes AlertSCC and Nixle
Table 9: National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Compliance
Topic Response
What department in your jurisdiction is responsible for floodplain management? Parks and Public Works
Who acts as your jurisdiction’s floodplain administrator? Director of Parks and Public Works
Is the floodplain administrator or NFIP Coordinator certified? No
Is floodplain management an auxiliary function in your jurisdiction? No
What is the date of adoption of your flood damage prevention ordinance? 2003
Provide an explanation of the permitting process for development within the floodplain. See Town Code Chapter 29 Zoning Regulations, Article IX. Floodplain Management, Division 2. Administration.
Does your floodplain management program meet or exceed minimum requirements? Yes
How are the substantial improvement/substantial damage provisions implemented?
The Floodplain Administrator is responsible for making substantial improvement/substantial damage determinations including determining how to calculate market value in accordance with Sec. 29.90.030 of the town’s Code. In addition to physical assessments, the town’s permitting process can be used to assess potential SI/SD structures. The Floodplain Administrator is responsible for reviewing all development permits.
When did your jurisdiction enter the NFIP? January 17, 1979
Topic Response
Is your jurisdiction in good standing with the NFIP? Yes
Are the jurisdiction’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) digital, paper, or both? Digital
Adopted effective FIRMs dated 5/18/2009
Explanation of NFIP administration services within your jurisdiction. Permit application review for floodplains, Valley Water runs CRS outreach (Town is not in CRS, but uses the resources)
Barriers to running an effective NFIP program in your jurisdiction. None
When was the most recent Community Assistance Visit (CAV) or Community Assistance Contact (CAC)?
Unknown
Is a CAV or CAC scheduled or needed? No
Does your jurisdiction have any outstanding NFIP compliance violations that need to be addressed?
No
Do your flood hazard maps adequately address the flood risk within your jurisdiction? Yes
Does your floodplain management staff need any assistance or training to support its floodplain management program?
No
Does your jurisdiction participate in the Community Rating System (CRS)? No
How many structures are exposed to flood risk within your jurisdiction? In 10% annual chance flood hazard area: 9
In 1% annual chance flood hazard area: 36
In 0.2% annual chance flood hazard area: 9,400
How many flood insurance policies are in force in your jurisdiction?
What is the insurance in force?
What is the premium in force?
66 policies in force
$20,606,800 insurance in force
$39,411 premium in force
Areas of flood risk with limited NFIP policy coverage. None
How many total loss claims have been filed in your jurisdiction?
How many claims were closed without payment or are still open?
What is the total amount of paid claims?
How many claims were for substantial damage?
13 total loss claims have been filed
8 claims closed without payment
$31,535 total payments for losses
How NFIP compliance will be continued during the next 5 years. Review floodplain management regulations
Regulate in SFHAs
Continue public education
Table 10: Education and Outreach Capabilities
Education or Outreach Capability Response
How does the personnel, program, or organization relate to disaster resilience and mitigation?
Could the personnel, program, or organization help implement future mitigation activities?
Does your jurisdiction have a Public Information Officer or Communications Office?
Yes Town Manager’s Office staff currently acts as the
Public
Information Officer and
assists with communicating hazard and disaster related information.
Yes
Does your jurisdiction have personnel skilled or trained in website development?
Yes Personnel can include or design hazard information on websites.
Yes
Does your jurisdiction have hazard mitigation information available on your website?
Yes The General Plan, Flood Plain Ordinance, Hillside Development
Standards & Guidelines, Los Gatos Prepared Webpage all communicate hazard mitigation information and is available to the public.
Yes
Does your jurisdiction utilize social media for hazard mitigation education and outreach?
Yes Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Nextdoor, LinkedIn, a weekly Town newsletter, and “News and Updates” information
on the homepage of the Town website are utilized.
Yes
Does your jurisdiction have any citizen boards or commissions that address issues related to hazard mitigation?
Yes The Planning Commission performs duties and
exercises power and authority with regard to planning, subdivisions, zoning, zoning administration, and other land use regulatory controls as prescribed by ordinance and state law.
Yes
Education or Outreach Capability Response
How does the personnel, program, or organization relate to disaster resilience and mitigation?
Could the personnel, program, or organization help implement future mitigation activities?
Does your jurisdiction have any ongoing public education or information programs that could be used to communicate hazard-related information?
Yes Information available on
the Town’s website, weekly newsletter. social media platforms, and response team groups provide public education related to hazard
mitigation.
Yes
Does your jurisdiction have local citizen groups or non-profit organizations focused on environmental protection, emergency preparedness, and/or underserved populations?
Yes The Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Disaster Aid
Response Team and CERT Team are part of mitigation efforts in the community.
Yes
Does your jurisdiction have ongoing public education or information programs?
Yes N/A N/A
Does your jurisdiction have natural disaster or safety related school programs?
No N/A N/A
Does your jurisdiction have public/private partnership initiatives addressing disaster-related issues
No N/A N/A
Table 11: Community Classifications
Participating? Classification Date Classified
Community Rating System No N/A N/A
Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule No N/A N/A
Insurance Services Office (ISO) Fire Rating Yes 2 2015
National Weather Service StormReady
Program® No N/A N/A
Firewise USA® Program
Aldercroft Heights, Chemeketa Park, and Wilderfield/Whiterock/Bear Mountain Roads
Yes N/A N/A
Table 12: Development and Permitting Capabilities
Development or Permitting Capability Response
Does your jurisdiction issue development permits?
If no, who does? If yes, which department?
Yes, the Building Division.
Does your jurisdiction have the ability to track permits by hazard area? Technically, yes. However, our computer system is not set up to track in that manner.
Does your jurisdiction have a buildable lands inventory? No
Table 13: Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change
Adaptive Capacity Assessment Question Jurisdiction Rating
Technical Capacity
Jurisdiction-level understanding of potential climate change impacts Medium
Comment: The library is offering programming specifically targeted to increasing understanding.
Jurisdiction-level monitoring of climate change impacts Low
Comment: None Provided.
Technical resources to assess proposed strategies for feasibility and externalities Low
Comment: None Provided.
Jurisdiction-level capacity for development of greenhouse gas emissions inventory Low
Comment: None Provided.
Capital planning and land use decisions informed by potential climate impacts Medium
Comment: None Provided.
Participation in regional groups addressing climate risks Low
Comment: None Provided.
Implementation Capacity
Clear authority/mandate to consider climate change impacts during public decision-making processes Low
Comment: None Provided.
Identified strategies for greenhouse gas mitigation efforts Low
Comment: None Provided.
Identified strategies for adaptation to impacts Low
Comment: None Provided.
Champions for climate action in local government departments Medium
Comment: None Provided.
Adaptive Capacity Assessment Question Jurisdiction Rating
Political support for implementing climate change adaptation strategies Medium
Comment: None Provided.
Financial resources devoted to climate change adaptation Low
Comment: None Provided.
Local authority over sectors likely to be negatively impacted Low
Comment: None Provided.
Public Capacity
Local residents’ knowledge of and understanding of climate risk Medium
Comment: None Provided.
Local residents’ support of adaptation efforts Medium
Comment: None Provided.
Local residents’ capacity to adapt to climate impacts Medium
Comment: None Provided.
Local economy’s current capacity to adapt to climate impacts Low
Comment: None Provided.
Local ecosystems capacity to adapt to climate impacts Low
Comment: None Provided.
Opportunities to Expand Upon and Improve Existing Capabilities
The hazard mitigation planning process presented the opportunity for the community to discuss and evaluate their current capabilities however, building mitigation capabilities is an ongoing process. New
capabilities can be added which will support mitigation. Current capabilities can also be enhanced to actively support mitigation and reduce risk. Significant efforts have been made to increase the capabilities
of jurisdictions across the OA. By participating in this plan update, each community is reinforcing their support for mitigation and understanding of the capabilities they need to successfully implement
mitigation measures. Actions that can expand and improve existing authorities, plans, policies, and resources for mitigation include:
Developing a Climate Action Plan which incorporates hazard data and actions to adapt to a changing climate.
Budgeting and passing policies and procedures for mitigation actions.
Adopting and implementing stricter mitigation regulations.
Approving the training of staff for mitigation activities.
Approving mitigation updates to existing plans as new needs are recognized.
Continuing to update plans as necessary to ensure they are current and reflect the needs of the
community or special district.
Further developing warning systems and messaging.
Creating and implementing additional public education and outreach offerings and increasing the volume of translated materials.
Ensuring grant opportunities are capitalized upon to meet mitigation goals. Each type of the four FEMA-identified capabilities were evaluated, in addition to OA-priority capabilities like adaptive capacity. Gaps and limitations, if any, are discussed in the tables above. Additional jurisdiction-specific opportunities to expand on and improve capabilities for reducing risk include:
Hire staff to implement fuel reduction programs and to manage related grants.
Train staff on hazards and reviewing developmental projects.
Expand and hire new grant writing and grant administration staff.
Expand the CERT program and volunteer management staff. The community supports the staff and the program, but there is no current funding.
Expand emergency alerts and hazard alarm systems (outdoor warning siren) for wildfire, and all other hazards.
Increase funding and opportunities for mitigation action implementation through programs like BRIC and ICARP. Since the last plan update, multiple new grant programs that support mitigation measures have been established. FEMA’s annual BRIC grant program funds a variety of mitigation actions including infrastructure projects, nature-based solutions, climate adaptation, hazard resistant building codes, and projects benefitting disadvantaged communities. This program is funded annually, meaning jurisdictions can apply on a consistent basis, rather than waiting for a disaster declaration to make additional mitigation funds available. Within California, the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research has established the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP) which funds multiple grants related to climate adaptation and resilience. Types of projects that could be funded under ICARP grants include adaptation planning, capacity building, climate resilience measures, and reducing the impacts of extreme heat.
Integration with Other Planning Initiatives
This section describes the process for integrating the hazard mitigation plan into local planning mechanisms.
Existing Integration
The following plans and programs currently integrate the goals, risk assessment and/or recommendations of the 2017 hazard mitigation plan:
General Plan: The General Plan includes a Hazard and Safety Element that directly addresses mitigation capabilities and initiatives.
Community Wildfire Protection Plan: The Community Wildfire Protection Plan outlines many mitigation strategies for the town, and they have been reviewed for incorporation.
Ad Hoc Wildfire Committee Report: Town Council approved the creation of a Town Council Ad Hoc Committee to study wildfire mitigation in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The Committee studied a broad variety of wildfire mitigation policy and project options to improve the Town’s wildfire resiliency. The Committee examined best practices of similar WUI communities, lessons learned from recent fires, and other relevant areas of wildfire science.
Emergency Operation Plan: The Emergency Operation plan integrates many pieces of the Hazard Mitigation Plan through a Hazard Analysis, Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Mitigation sections.
Sustainability Plan: The Adaptive Capacity for Climate Change section of the Hazard Mitigation Plan integrates into the Sustainability Plan.
Ordinances: The Zoning, Subdivision, and other natural hazard specific ordinances have been reviewed for cross integration of mitigation strategies.
Land Development Regulations: They all consider climate adaptation and hazard mitigation in the updates, especially subdivision regulations.
Building Code: The Building Code currently integrates the Hazard Mitigation Plan by enforcing
codes that will mitigate disaster damages.
These plans and programs will continue to integrate the 2023 hazard mitigation plans and goals and will be updated to match new information as each of these plans and programs are updated.
Opportunities for Future Integration
The following plans and programs do not currently integrate the goals, risk assessment and/or recommendations of the hazard mitigation plan, but provide an opportunity for future integration:
Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan: Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan does not
currently address natural hazards but has been identified to implement mitigation actions in the future.
Information that could be incorporated into the Green Stormwater Infrastructure Plan include hazard risk data, the history of previous events, GIS data, and related mitigation actions. This plan was prepared in
conjunction with the West Valley Clean Water Authority, a collaborative partnership between the Cities of Campbell, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and Los Gatos. The Town staff who participated in this plan update will be responsible for integrating this 2023 MJHMP into other planning mechanisms.
The Director of Parks and Public Works/Floodplain Administrator, as well as the city’s Senior Analyst from the Office of Town Manager, participated in this plan update. They, along with the city’s other
team members, will be responsible for disseminating information on this plan and ensuring it’s integration into other planning mechanisms moving forward.
Jurisdiction-Specific Natural Hazard Event History
Table 14 lists all past occurrences of natural hazards within the jurisdiction.
Table 14: Natural Hazard Events
Type of Event FEMA Disaster # (if applicable) Date Preliminary Damage Assessment
Flood DR-4683 01/14/2023 Trees, roadways,
concrete, roofs, fencing all due to wind damage
Jurisdiction-Specific Vulnerabilities
Five earthquake scenarios were generated using the Hazus modeling program. $469 million
(5.2% of total value) in losses were estimated for Los Gatos in the 100-year probabilistic scenario, and $1.94 billion (21.33% of total value) for a 500-year probabilistic scenario. Of the 3
fault-based scenarios, the highest loss estimates for Los Gatos were from the Hayward Fault scenario, with an estimated $470 million in losses, or 5.23% of the total replacement value. Some private structures may be “soft-story” in need of hardening.
8,311 people, 24.8% of the total population, are in wildfire hazard areas. Over $2 billion in structural value (19.75% of the total) are also in moderate to high wildfire hazard areas. 11 essential facilities are near wildfire hazard.
Potential inundation areas from dam failure could impact 5,721 people in Los Gatos. Property valued at $1.6 billion is within the potential inundation area of J Lenihan Dam. The proximity of the dam to Los Gatos would contributes to velocity and depth of the floodwaters impacting the town coupled with limited warning time. Over 2 miles of Hwy 17 below J Lenihan dam is in a potential inundation zone. Los Gatos Saratoga Rd and Norman Y Mineta Hwy are also major routes that could be impacted. 25 bridges, 4 schools and the city Emergency Operations Center. are also in potential inundation boundaries.
Hazus flood models estimate 1,216 people (3.6%) in Los Gatos are at risk to a 1% annual chance flood hazard area, and 1,485 people (4.4%) are within the 0.2% annual chance flood hazard area. Losses estimated for the 1% flood hazard are almost $170 million, and over $210 million for a 0.2% chance flood.
Los Gatos has a large area at moderate to high potential for landslide. 7,527 people (22.5%) are exposed to landslide hazards. An estimated $2.2 billion worth of structures are within the moderate to high landslide potential area. Numerous roads and structures are in moderate to high landslide susceptibility areas, primarily across the south portion of the town. Roads in the hills
may have dead-end spurs and a landslide could severely limit road access. Heavy rain can contribute to landslide activity.
Drought is a hazard that has similar conditions over broad areas. It is anticipated that the impacts of drought will be fairly consistent across the OA. Drought impacts vegetation and can make it more vulnerable to disease and wildfire. Extended drought may necessitate limits on landscape
irrigation or higher costs for irrigation, which can have economic impacts. Although agriculture is not a primary economic sector in the OA, drought can have severe negative impacts on growth of
crops and gardens. Climate change is expected to contribute to more days with extreme heat and more days without precipitation, which may increase the impacts of drought. Any restrictions on water supply or increases in cost for water may be a financial hardship for low income households.
Impacts from inclement weather such as heavy rain, hail, and wind are likely to be very similar across the OA. Individual events may impact only limited areas, but the entire OA is at risk to similar conditions. Climate change may increase the frequency or severity of these events.
Heavy rain may cause localized flooding on roadways and low-lying areas which may disrupt transportation for the general public and can also delay emergency response. Heavy rain can also have cascading impacts on landslide potential or strain the capacity of dams.
High winds can disrupt power, communication and other services and cause damage to structures. Downed trees from high winds can have potential transportation impacts and requires debris removal and contributes to loss of tree canopy.
Extreme heat or cold can be harmful to health, particularly those with inadequate housing with adequate warming and cooling systems. The library currently serves as a heating and cooling
center.
Tsunami was not profiled for the Town of Los Gatos due to distance from the shoreline and no direct risk.
Critical facilities need evaluation to determine if they need of retrofitting or hardening against hazards.
Repetitive loss records are as follows:
Number of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-identified Repetitive-Loss Properties (RL): 0
Number of FEMA-identified Severe-Repetitive-Loss (SRL) Properties: 0
Number of RL Properties or SRL Properties that have been mitigated: 0 Other noted vulnerabilities include:
The increasing frequency and intensity of drought and extreme heat due to climate change has resulted in a lengthening of the fire season. Dry spells during the winter months, especially when
combined with winds and dead fuels, may result in fires that burn with a high intensity and rate. Extreme rain events are increasing in frequency. Climate change is also causing changes in flora
and fauna, changes in ecosystems due to extreme heat, and higher temperatures.
In the case of a dam or levee breach, vulnerabilities include potential damage to downtown, which is downstream from Lexington Dam. Potential damage would extend down Los Gatos
Creek to the City of Campbell. The second dam in that area that could also be breached (Vasona Dam). Homes, buildings, and infrastructure within the 100-year FEMA floodplain are at risk.
A secondary Town water supply has not been identified or developed, which poses a risk in long-term drought conditions.
Buildings with very high or high collapse potential include residential and commercial buildings constructed prior to 1990 that have not had seismic retrofits. Downtown has older structures, and the Town Hall is older. Three major bridges over Highway 17 owned by CalTrans could be vulnerable. Los Gatos Creek Trail and pedestrian bridges are vulnerable. The trail is a major transportation thoroughfare.
Street flooding occurs within the Town, and Loma Street floods frequently.
Steep slopes are present throughout the Town, some are close to roadways. Ground saturation
may present an issue.
Vulnerabilities related to inclement weather include tree impacts (debris removal, potential transportation impacts), loss of tree canopy, and no sheltering capacity in Town (the daytime
heating and cooling center is at the Library).
According to the 2017 MJHMP, 24% of the population lives in a wildfire severity zone. There are concerns related to inadequate evacuation infrastructure, as the roadway system is more rural, especially in hills and wildfire zones. There is an ongoing need for vegetation management in the very high severity zone. Populations living or working within the wildland-urban interface and people with chronic lung problems and other preexisting health conditions, children, pregnant women, and older adults are vulnerable.
Social Vulnerability
Figure 4 shows that Los Gatos mostly has low levels of social vulnerability. The characteristics of the population in Los Gatos indicate they will likely be more resilient to the effects of hazards than
communities with higher vulnerability scores. An area of increased vulnerability in the north-central area of the city has higher indicator scores for household characteristics such as persons over age 65, persons under 17, and persons with disabilities. This area also has higher vulnerability for housing type and transportation indicators, such as households with no vehicle available and a higher percentage of multi-
unit housing. The northern census tract also has a higher percentage of Hispanic or Latino persons, and a higher percentage of Asian residents. Hazards risk areas that have some overlap with these areas of
higher vulnerability include flood, dam failure, and higher liquefaction susceptibility.
Figure 4: Los Gatos Social Vulnerability
Hazard Risk Index
Table 15 presents the hazards of concern from highest risk index number to lowest, as assigned by the Town of Los Gatos.
Table 15: Hazard Risk Index
Hazard Probability Life Impact Property Impact
Percentage of Area Impacted
Maximum Probable Extent
Drought Occasional Minor Minor Extensive Weak
Inclement Weather -
Heavy Precipitation/Atmospheric River,
Likely Limited Minor Significant Moderate
Inclement Weather -
Extreme Heat Likely Limited Minor Significant Moderate
Inclement Weather - High
Wind Limited Limited Limited Significant Moderate
Dam and levee failure Unlikely Limited Minor Negligible Weak
Landslide/Mass movement Occasional Limited Minor Negligible Moderate
Climate change Highly Likely Minor Minor Extensive Moderate
Hazard Probability Life Impact Property Impact
Percentage of Area Impacted
Maximum Probable Extent
Flood Unlikely Limited Minor Negligible Weak
Wildfire/smoke/air quality Highly Likely Critical Catastrophic Significant Major
Earthquake Occasional Critical Limited Significant Major
Future Needs to Better Understand Risk/Vulnerability
A Town-wide inspection of all critical facilities is needed to determine if hardening or retrofit projects are required. An analysis of soft story private structures that may need hardening will provide a better understanding of the risk.
Status of Previous Plan Actions
Participants were asked to report the status of their mitigation actions listed in the previous plan as a part of this plan update. Where further information isn’t provided, the answers are defined as follows:
Completed – work on this action is totally complete.
Completed and ongoing – work on this action is complete; however, it is an ongoing project that
will continue to be implemented. An example is a public outreach campaign that was created and will continue to be implemented.
In progress – work on this action has begun and is in progress, but the action is not yet complete.
Retain – work on this action has not begun yet, the action is still relevant, and it should be in the
2023 MJHMP.
No longer relevant – Action item is no longer relevant due to reduce or eliminated risk, it no longer being feasible, there has been a change in jurisdictional or organizational priorities, or another reason as stated. Unless specifically requested otherwise, only those actions listed as “retain” are incorporated into the 2023 action plan.
Table 16: Status of Action Items from the 2017 MJHMP
Action Item Number* Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Current Status and Comments
LGT-1 Periodically update the Town’s geologic, seismic,
and geotechnical maps All Hazards Ongoing
LGT-2 Periodically identify and retest, if needed, those bridges whose destruction would cause serious access problems after an earthquake
Earthquake Completed and ongoing
LGT-3 Work with facility owners to periodically ensure that all buildings and structures in Town whose uses and functions are essential in response to a major earthquake are safe
All Hazards Retain
Action Item Number* Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Current Status and Comments
LGT-4 Amend the Town Code to reduce the permitted gradient for roads in areas determined to be high risk landslide or fault zones.
Flood, Earthquake Retain
LGT-5 Update the Town’s earthquake preparedness information packet, keep it current on an ongoing basis and develop and implement effective means to disseminate it to Town residents and businesses
Earthquake Completed and ongoing
LGT-6 Create and adopt a Geologic Hazards Checklist to be utilized during the development review process
Flood, Earthquake Future
LGT-7 Adopt procedures whereby the public will continually be made aware of the Town’s policies regarding safety hazards and be conveniently supplied with information, including notification of residents of fire emergency plans for their area
All Hazards Completed and ongoing
LGT-8 Coordinate with Santa Clara Valley Water District (SCVWD) FEMA, and/or the State Department of Water Resources to develop and distribute flood hazard preparedness education information, including evacuation plans, for residents
Flood Completed and ongoing
* Number given to action item in 2017 Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan
Hazard Mitigation Action Plan and Evaluation of
Recommended Actions
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Table 17 lists the actions that make up the Town of Los Gatos hazard mitigation action plan. The maps in Figure 5 through Figure 12 present the Town’s critical infrastructure, facilities, and identified hazard areas.
The description of the expected time frames for actions are defined below:
Short term- 1-5 year
Medium term- 5-10 years
Long term- Over 10 years
Ongoing - Currently being funded and implemented under existing programs.
The planning partners utilized the following criteria to prioritize action items into the categories of high, medium, or low.
High Priority— A project that:
Meets multiple goals and objectives (i.e., multiple hazards);
Addresses multiple hazards;
Has benefits that exceed cost;
Has funding secured or is an ongoing project;
Meets eligibility requirements for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants;
Can be completed in the short term (1 to 5 years);
Addresses immediate short-term impacts of climate change;
Benefits underserved and/or socially vulnerable populations; AND
Considers the Multi-Benefit Criteria utilized by the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, including equity, long-term value, ecosystem benefit, community benefit, and cross-jurisdictional alignment.
Medium Priority— A project that:
Meets multiple goals and objectives;
Addresses multiple hazards;
Has benefits that exceed costs;
Has funding has not been secured, but that is grant eligible under Hazard Mitigation Assistance
grants or other grant programs;
Project can be completed in the short term (1-5 years), once funding is secured. Medium priority projects will become high priority projects once funding is secured;
Addresses immediate short-term impacts of climate change;
Benefits underserved and/or socially vulnerable populations; AND
Considers the Multi-Benefit Criteria utilized by the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, including equity, long-term value, ecosystem benefit, community benefit, and cross-jurisdictional
alignment.
Low Priority— A project that:
Will mitigate the risk of at least one hazard;
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Has benefits that do not exceed the costs or are difficult to quantify:
Does not have secured funding;
Is not eligible for Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant funding;
Has a timeline for completion that is long term (greater than 5 years). Low priority projects may be eligible for other sources of grant funding from other programs;
May address impacts of climate change;
May benefit underserved and/or socially vulnerable populations; AND
Considers the Multi-Benefit Criteria utilized by the Santa Clara County Climate Collaborative, including equity, long-term value, ecosystem benefit, community benefit, and cross-jurisdictional alignment.
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Table 17: Town of Los Gatos 2023 Action Items
Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead position, office, department, or division responsible for implementation
Potential Funding Sources
Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
LGT-3* Work with facility owners to periodically ensure that all buildings and structures in Town whose uses and functions are essential in response to a major earthquake are safe. After an earthquake greater than 5.0 magnitude, major floods and fires, the Community Development Department is tasked with conducting damage surveys of high hazard occupancies and critical infrastructure facilities. The PPW Department will conduct an assessment of all non-facility critical infrastructure (roads, bridges, culverts, drainage, traffic signals and signs) And coordinate with the Water and WWTP jurisdictional agency providers.
All Hazards Community Development Department (CDD), Fire, Schools and other critical infrastructure and high hazard occupancies.
HMGP, PDM, FMA Ongoing Medium
LGT-4* Amend the Town Code to reduce
the permitted gradient for roads in areas determined to be high risk landslide or fault zones.
Flood,
Earthquake, Landslide
CDD HMGP,
General Funds Long term Low
LG-FR (CWPP) Continue to implement and update the Town’s Roadside Vegetation Management Program. Work with the Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council and Santa Clara County Fire to update the CWPP and prioritize Vegetation Management projects.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; County Fire. HMGP-PF, California Fire Safe Council (CA FSC), Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission;
Ongoing High
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Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead position, office, department, or division responsible for implementation
Potential Funding Sources
Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
US Forest Service; others as made available
LG-FR (CWPP) Work collaboratively with County Fire and the Fire Safe Council to identify fire buffer zones. Identify vegetation management fire buffer zone grant funding projects for areas deemed high risk per the CWPP.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; County Fire; Fire Safe Council.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA),HMGP-PF, California Fire Safe Council (CA FSC), Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission; US Forest Service; others as made available
Long term Low
LG-FR
(CWPP)
Identify private roadways in the WUI
and evaluate methods for fuel load reduction. Work with homeowners, County Fire and Fire Safe Council on home hardening community educational outreach efforts and County Chipper program opportunities.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos;
County Fire; Fire Safe Council.
HMGP-PF,
California Fire Safe Council (CA FSC), Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission; US Forest Service; others as made available
Long term High
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Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead position, office, department, or division responsible for implementation
Potential Funding Sources
Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
LG-FR (CWPP) Ensure utility providers monitor and move equipment that may pose risk to increase likelihood of a wildland fire.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos. Utility Fees Short term Low
LG-FR
(CWPP)
Incorporate the CWPP Annex 9 in
the Los Gatos Local Hazard Mitigation Plan section of the Countywide Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos. Internal Budget, Short term High
LG-FR (CWPP) Incorporate all goals and objectives identified in the Countywide CWPP into the Los Gatos Plan.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos. Internal Budget Short term High
LG-FR (CWPP) Designate a Town representative to work with the Fire Safe Council and County Fire on updates to the LHMP and CWPP.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; Fire Safe Council; County Fire.
Internal Budget Short term Low
LG-FR (CWPP) Conduct annual defensible space inspections and enforce compliance with state and local fire codes. Work with Santa Clara County and Cal Fire to provide residents with public educational information on home hardening and defensible space.
Wildfire County Fire. Internal, community, and Fire Safe Council funding
Ongoing High
LG-FR (CWPP) Carefully review and consider new development and redevelopment in Fire Hazard Areas. Partner with the Community Development Department to assure that new construction includes reviews for wildland fire safety in the rural mountain areas.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; County Fire. Internal and County Fire Budget
Ongoing High
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Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead position, office, department, or division responsible for implementation
Potential Funding Sources
Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
LG-FR (CWPP) Encourage fire safety improvements to existing homes and commercial buildings. Partner with the Firewise Communities of Los Gatos to provide outreach educational materials to the residents in the rural areas. Partner with County Fire to provide fire safety educational materials to local businesses.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; County Fire Internal and County Fire Budget
Ongoing High
LG-FR
(CWPP)
Develop systems and strategies to
ensure residents receive emergency communications in a timely manner. Promote Alert Santa Clara County at public events to promote awareness on the importance of residents signing up for cell phone emergency notifications
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; County Fire; CERT. County Fire, Fire Safe Council, and internal staff budget
Short term High
LG-FR
(CWPP)
Continue to implement the Weed
Abatement Program to address hazardous fuel reduction and defensible space throughout the community in partnership with Firewise groups, County Fire and Fire Safe Council.
Wildfire Private Property
Owners; County of Santa Clara; County Fire; Fire Safe Council; Firewise Communities.
County Budget Ongoing Medium
LG-FR
(CWPP)
Support residents in their need to
retain Homeowners Insurance. Wildfire Homeowner’s
associations; Town of Los Gatos; County Fire
Community and
Fire Safe Council
Ongoing High
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Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead position, office, department, or division responsible for implementation
Potential Funding Sources
Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
LG-FR (CWPP) Amplify educational resources provided by County Fire at public events.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos; County Fire Internal and County Budget Ongoing Medium
LG-FR (CWPP) Explore additional funding sources for wildfire mitigation and Town emergency response. Update the CWPP and LHMP to prioritize projects based on risk.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos Internal Budget Short term Medium
LG-FR (CWPP) Provide annual evacuation simulations in WUI neighborhoods. Wildfire CERT volunteers; Town of Los Gatos; County Fire. Fire Safe Council. Firewise Communities.
Internal and County Fire Budget
Long term High
LG-FR
(CWPP)
Partner with County Fire to identify
safety zones and temporary evacuation points in the WUI. GIS this information and provide to residents through the Fire Safe Council, Firewise Communities and Public Education events.
Wildfire County Fire; Fire
Safe Council; Firewise Communities and Town Manager’s Office.
FEMA, CA
FSC, DHS Short term High
LG-FR (CWPP) Develop and implement a vegetation management plan for increasing visibility in high fire prone areas.
Wildfire Town of Los Gatos Town internal funds and private residents
Long term Low
LG-FR (CWPP) Evaluate feasibility of providing 20 feet wide evacuation feeder routes within WUI. Work with County/Town Public Works, County Fire and Cal Trans to coordinate.
Wildfire County Fire CA FSC, DHS Short term High
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Action Item Number Action Item Description Hazard(s) Mitigated
Lead position, office, department, or division responsible for implementation
Potential Funding Sources
Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
LG-FR (CWPP) Partner with County Fire and Water Agencies to address water shortage concerns in WUI area.
Wildfire County Fire; Water Agencies. County Fire Long term High
LG-FR (CWPP) Installation of water tanks on Town-owned Open Space property for fire suppression purposes. Identify locations and size of Water tanks in coordination with County Fire.
Wildfire County Fire in partnership with Town of Los Gatos
County Fire Budget Long term Low
1 Identify vulnerable populations in the WUI and entire Town through the development of a EOP Annex for Access and Functional Needs Individuals. (GP HAZ1-5)
All Hazards TMO HMGP; General Funds. Long term Medium
2 Preserve open space portions of properties that are unbuildable due to geologic and seismic conditions as per the locally adopted building code.
Earthquake CDD HMGP, General Funds Long term Medium
3 Require that all buildings and structures needed for emergency services and other essential services exceed California Building Code for seismic strengthening to withstand a major earthquake. The CDD and PPW departments to develop a plan of action to assess
critical infrastructure. (GP HAZ4-6)
Earthquake CDD/Parks and Public Works (PPW)
HMGP, General Funds Long term Medium
4 Work with regional, state, and federal organization and agencies to incentivize seismic retrofit of structures. (GP HAZ4-7).
Earthquake CDD/PPW HMGP, General Funds Long term Medium
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
5 Require that a licensed geologic/geotechnical engineer complete the Town Geologic Hazards Checklist for all new proposed development to demonstrate that potential hazards have been identified and that proposed structures, including grading cuts and fills, will be designed to resist potential earthquake effects. (GP HAZ4-8)
Earthquake, Landslide PPW HMGP, General Funds Short term High
6 Require that new public utilities, communication infrastructure, and transportation facilities be located, designed, and constructed in a manner that minimizes risk and maximizes functionality during and after an earthquake. (GP HAZ4-9)
Earthquake PPW HMGP, General Funds Long term Medium
7 Require New Development to be sited away from high risk geologic and seismic hazard zone or use construction techniques and technologies to reduce risk; restrict new development based on level of risk and potential severity of geologic hazards. (GP HAZ 4-1)
Earthquake, Landslide CDD HMGP, General Funds Long term High
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
8 The Town shall implement all minimum requirements from appropriate State of California and Santa Clara County agencies relative to declared public health emergencies. The Town shall also consider the needs of the community and expand the Town’s response beyond these minimum requirements, as appropriate. (GP HAZ6-1)
Epidemic and Pandemic Town Manager HMGP, General Funds Ongoing High
9 Work closely with the State of California and Santa Clara County health officials to make certain that Town needs are considered and addressed and to make sure the residents are made aware of programs and resources in a timely manner. (GP HAZ6-2)
Epidemic and Pandemic Town Manager HMGP, General Funds Ongoing High
10 Partner with organizations responsible for essential health care and human services to ensure those services are provided as early as possible to respond during and recover after a public health emergency or event. (GP HAZ6-3)
Epidemic and Pandemic Town Manager HMGP, General Funds Ongoing High
11 Promote training initiatives for
community partners and other stakeholders within public health,
health care, human services, mental/behavioral health, and environmental health sectors. (GP HAZ6-4)
Epidemic and
Pandemic Town Manager HMGP,
General Funds Ongoing High
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12 Continue to maintain and enhance the Town’s communications and education resources to provide timely and up-to-date information concerning public health emergencies. (GP HAZ6-5)
Epidemic and Pandemic Town Manager HMGP, General Funds Ongoing High
13 Work with the State of California and Santa Clara County to maintain a supply of resources necessary to respond to and recover from a public health emergency. (GP HAZ6-6)
Epidemic and Pandemic Town Manager HMGP, General Funds Ongoing Low
14 During and following any public health emergency, Town staff should work with the community to identify ways to improve preparation and responses necessary to recover and return to normal following a public health emergency. (GP HAZ6-7)
Epidemic and Pandemic Town Manager HMGP, General Funds Ongoing Low
15 Obtain fee title to all land required to
be dedicated for flood protection. (GP HAZ5-3)
Flood PPW HMGP,
General Funds Ongoing High
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16 Flood hazards from heavy rain events are not a major hazard to the Town of Los Gatos. However, due to climate change, the Town will require new development and redevelopment to provide design solutions to control the cumulative rate of peak stormwater run-off to no higher than pre-development levels. (GP HAZ5-4)
Heavy rain events PPW HMGP, General Funds Ongoing Medium
17 Cooperate with the Santa Clara
Valley Water District to develop and maintain additional stormwater retention facilities in areas where they are needed or where the design capacity of existing retention facilities cannot be restored. (GP HAZ5-5)
Heavy rain
events PPW HMGP,
General Funds Ongoing Low
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18 Monitor and respond to the risk of flooding caused by climate change-related precipitation patterns and groundwater levels. Track stream level gages and weather patterns to identify potential for flooding during storms events through the EOC Technical Specialist function. While flooding is not a major hazard for the Town, the EOC will monitor flood inundation zones and provide advanced notification to residents, including all AFN persons. If residents are required to evacuate, the EOC will work with its local shelter services providers (Churches, Red Cross, CERT Volunteers and County Health Servies) to shelter evacuees and make AFN accommodations at each shelter site. (GP HAZ5-6)
Heavy rain events PPW HMGP, General Funds Ongoing Low
19 Require Phase I site assessments for new development proposed on land that may be contaminated with hazardous materials or waste. (GP HAZ7-2)
Hazardous Materials CDD / PPW HMGP, General Funds Short term High
20 Support Santa Clara County Fire Department in monitoring the storage of hazardous materials located in City Facilities. (GP HAZ7-3)
Hazardous Materials CDD / PPW HMGP, General Funds Ongoing Medium
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21 Require all businesses that use, store, or transport hazardous materials or waste to prepare a Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Business Plan through County Environmental Health Agency. (GP HAZ7-4)
Hazardous Materials CDD HMGP, General Funds Long term Low
22 The Town shall develop and distribute educational materials and conduct educational outreach to inform the public about household hazardous waste, proper disposal methods, and proper use and storage of these materials in partnership with the County Household Hazardous Waste Program. (GP HAZ7-5)
Hazardous Materials PPW HMGP, General Funds Long term Medium
23 Work with County Environmental
Health and private organizations to prevent the introduction of hazardous materials into the air and the water supply. (GP HAZ7-1)
Terrorism,
Hazardous Materials, Transportation Incidents
Town Manager HMGP,
General Funds Ongoing High
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
24 The most common inclement weather events from climate change that impact the Town of Los Gatos are heavy rains/atmospheric rivers, extreme weather (hot and cold), high wind, and space weather. The impacts from inclement weather are described in the Flood, Landslide/Mass movement and drought hazard analysis sections. Hardening infrastructure, Providing advanced community notifications and care and shelter for individuals impacted these events are the response and mitigation actions described in the specific hazards.
Inclement Weather. Landslide
Town Manager, Parks and Public Works, Community Development, Police, County Fire and MAC partners.
HMGP, General Funds Ongoing High
25 The Town of Los Gatos will partner
with its water provider to identify water shortage impacts during drought. Provide advanced community notification for conservation requirements set forth by the Water provider. Provide drought tolerant planting information to residents at public education events, on social media sites and through the Community Development Department.
Drought Community
Development, Parks and Public Works, Town Managers Office, Operational Area, Santa Clara Valley Water District, Businesses, and residents.
General Fund Ongoing High
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26. Provide advanced warning notifications to residents during periods of heavy rain about potential landslide movement prior to large storms events through social media, TV, Radio, Websites and direct automated notification. Work with internal and external shelter providers to shelter impacted residents. GIS properties at risk through landslide maps with property overlays. Target outreach to those areas.
Landslide and Mass Movement.
Town Manager’s Office, Parks and Public Works, Police, Operational Area, residents, geologist technical expert, business and GIS mapping provider.
General Fund, EMPG. June 2024 Medium
27. AFN and socially vulnerable persons impacted from inclement weather are included in planning, response, and recovery strategies for the Town of Los Gatos through its drat AFN EOP annex. The annex will mirror the County’s DEM AFN Annex to assure consistent coordinated planning, response and recovery to AFN and socially vulnerable populations in a disaster.
Inclement Weather Town Manager’s Office, Operational Area, EOC Care and Shelter staff, HHS and ARC.
General Fund June 2024 High
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
28. The Town’s Emergency Services Coordinator will provide National Weather Service alerts to the Town Managers Office for high wind events that surpass the Homeless Motel Program High wind threshold of sustained winds of 40 MPH. Motels will be offered to registered Town of Los Gatos homeless individuals when the threshold is forecast to be surpassed. The Town will post notifications and work with the local churches and homeless service providers to notify homeless individuals of high wind events. The Town will reserve hotels for homeless individuals.
High Wind Event Emergency Services Coordinator
Town general fund On-going High
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
29. The Town’s Emergency Services Coordinator will provide National Weather Service alerts to the Town Managers Office for high heat events that surpass forecast temperatures at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit for at least two days and overnight temperatures that will not drop below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Motels will be offered to registered Town of Los Gatos homeless individuals when the high heat threshold is forecast to be surpassed. The Town will post notifications and work with the local churches and homeless service providers to notify homeless individuals of high wind events. The Town will reserve hotels for homeless individuals. The Town will also open their library as a cooling center for the general public.
High Heat Event Emergency Services Coordinator
General Fund On-going High
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
30. Due to climate change and increasingly larger storms, and the need to protect the Access and Functional Needs Community, the Town will complete a National Weather Storm Ready program and application. As a part of the program, the Town will establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center; have more than one way to receive severe weather warnings and forecasts to alert the public; create a system that monitors weather conditions locally;
promote the importance of
public readiness through community seminars
Develop a formal hazardous weather plan, which includes training severe weather spotters and holding emergency exercises. Evaluate and if merited, deploy NOAA radios to Town residents to strengthen emergency notifications and communications capabilities
Alert and protect the Access and Functional Needs Community in large winter storm events.
Emergency Services Coordinator
General Fund and Grants January 2025 High
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Expected Timeline for Completion Priority
31. The Town is cognizant of "Urban heat islands" that occur when land cover is replaced with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings, and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. The Town of Los Gatos will include Urban heat islands impacts planning within Town limits.
High heat Community Development No Cost January 2025 Low
32. The Town has been impacted
by power outages from high wind events in the past. There are many trees in the Town of Los Gatos. The Town will work with utility partners, Parks and Public Works, Police and Fire, Contractors and the EOC to coordinate down trees from roadways so that utility restoration can began in a prioritized and expeditious manner. The Town will notify the community of road closures through its PIO function in the EOC with current updates. The Town will provide assistance to the AFN Community per the draft AFN EOP Annex under development.
Power
Outages
Parks and Public
Works
General Fund
and FEMA cost recovery
On-going
winter tree removal response. AFN Annex completion date is June 2024
High
* Number given to action item in 2017 Santa Clara County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan
Note: references are included throughout to the CWPP – Community Wildfire Protection Plan – and GP-HAZ – General Plan Hazards & Safety Element
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Figure 5: Town of Los Gatos Critical Facilities
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Figure 6: Town of Los Gatos Critical Infrastructure
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Figure 7: Town of Los Gatos Flood Hazard Area Map
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Figure 8: Town of Los Gatos Landslide Susceptibility
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Figure 9: Town of Los Gatos Liquefaction Susceptibility
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Figure 10: Town of Los Gatos Fire Hazard Severity Zones and Historic Fires
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Figure 11: Town of Los Gatos Wildfire Hazard Classification
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Figure 12: Town of Los Gatos Wildfire Risk to Structures