Hazard Analysis

A.     PURPOSE 

The purpose of this Document is to identify the hazards, which have caused or possess the potential to cause disastrous situations throughout Polk County.   This information will provide the means for us to identify and prioritize which hazards may pose the greatest potential threat to our community. It will provide the necessary information to aid in planning for more effective emergency responses and operations in Polk County, the Cities of Corrigan, Goodrich, Onalaska, Seven Oaks, and Livingston, as well as, the unincorporated communities within the jurisdictional boundaries of the County.  This planning will seek to mitigate the effects of a hazard, to prepare for measures to be taken which will ensure the safety of our citizens, preserve life, and minimize damage, to respond during emergencies and provide whatever aid and assistance necessary. 

B.    SITUATION 

      Polk County is predominantly a rural County located in the pine forest of East Texas.  It is bounded on the southwest by the Trinity River and Lake Livingston and on the northeast by the Neches River.  Its southwest boundary is approximately 70 miles north-northeast of Houston, the western boundary is approximately 31 miles east of Huntsville, the southeast boundary is approximately 85 miles northwest of Beaumont and the northern boundary is 20 miles south of Lufkin.  Polk County has 1,111 total square miles and is one of Texas’ largest timber producers with approximately 340,900 acres in commercial forest.  The Trinity River and Lake Livingston provide a fishing, camping and recreational paradise for tourist, fisherman, and retirees.  Fishing, hunting, and Texas’ only Indian Reservation, the home of the Alabama-Coushatta Indians, provide Polk County with major tourist attractions.  Fishing marinas and residential subdivisions line the shores of Lake Livingston and the Trinity River providing a haven for retirees with a population of approximately 50,585 permanent residents.  During the spring and summer, the population of Polk County swells to approximately 150,000 – 250,000 weekend residents and tourist. 

      Polk County is ranked as one of the  fastest growing counties in the State of Texas with a growth rate of 34.4 percent as projected in 1999, by the U.S. Census Bureau.  This growth has brought the population from 30,658 in 1990, to 41,133 as of the 2000 Census.  Of that population, over 72.3 percent live in the rural unincorporated areas of the county.  The County continues to grow at an alarming rate, it is estimated that by the year 2010 the population with swell by an additional 54% to over 80,880 permanent residents, with the weekend and tourist population growing to over 300,000 on any given weekend during the summer vacation months.     

•          Livingston is the County Seat and has a population of 5,433.  Livingston is located at the intersections of U.S. 59 and U.S.190.   

•       Goodrich, with a population of 243 is located 8 miles south of Livingston on Loop 393 just off of U.S. 59 and borders along the Trinity River.   

•         Corrigan, has a population of 1,721 is located 22 miles north of Livingston on U.S. 59 and U.S. 287.             

•       Onalaska, with a population of 1,174, is located 14 miles west of Livingston on U.S. 190.  This community borders Lake Livingston and during the spring and summer has a large influx of weekend vacationers and fishermen.        

•       Seven Oaks, with a population of 131, is located 12 miles north of Livingston on U.S. 59.  (See Table 1 on population growth from 1990 to 1999.) 

Sources,  U.S. Census Bureau,  Polk County Chamber of Commerce 

      Polk County is serviced by U.S. 59 to the north and south, U.S. 190 to the east and west, Texas 146 southeast, U.S. 287 to the east and west through Corrigan.  Numerous County and Farm Roads also service the County.  Railroad service is provided by Union Pacific (Texas and New Orleans) that runs north and south, through the hearts of Corrigan, Livingston, and Goodrich.  Numerous truck freight lines service the County.  Bus lines service the County with a daily schedule. Air service is provided by a local airport with a 60’ by 3200’ paved runway, international air service is available 50 miles to the south at the George W. Bush Intercontinental Airport.  Feeder airline service is 18 miles from the County line, to the north in Lufkin, 41 miles from the County Seat. 

      Polk County is exposed to many different hazards, all of which have the potential for disrupting the community and causing damage, and creating casualties.  Because of the geographical location, topography, demography, and transportation conditions, Polk County and the Cities within its political boundaries are subject to the following emergency or disaster situations: 

1)     Flooding

2)     Tornadoes

3)     Major fire

a)     forest fire

b)     building/structure 

4)     Hazardous Material Accidents and Spills

a)     railway derailment

b)     truck accident

c)      industrial accidents

d)     high pressure pipeline

5)       Radiological Hazards

6)       Hurricanes

7)       Ice Storms

8)       Dam Failure

9)       Droughts

10)   Terrorism or Civil Disorder 

C.    Climate 

The Polk and San Jacinto County area has long, hot summers because moist tropical air from the Gulf of Mexico persistently covers the area. Winters are cool and fairly short with only a rare cold wave that moderates in 1 or 2 days. Precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, and prolonged droughts are rare, summer precipitation, mainly afternoon thundershowers, that are at times severe in nature.  Table 2 gives data on temperature and precipitation for the area as recorded for Polk County for FY 1997 

In winter the average temperature is 51 degrees F, and the average daily minimum temperature is 39 degrees. The lowest temperature on record, which occurred at Livingston on February 2,1951, is 4 degrees.  In summer the average temperature is 81 degrees, and the average daily maximum temperature is 78.3 degrees. The highest recorded temperature, which occurred at Livingston on August 6, 1951, is 111 degrees. 

The total annual precipitation is 48.7 inches. Of this, 25 inches, or 52 percent, usually falls in April through September. The growing season for most crops falls within this period. In 2 years out of 10, the rainfall in April through September is less than 19 inches. The heaviest 1-day rainfall during the period of record was 24.3 inches at Onalaska on October 17, 1994. Thunderstorms occur on about 70 days each year, and most occur in summer. 

Snowfall is rare. In 70 percent of the winters, there is no measurable snowfall. In 10 percent, the snowfall, usually of short duration, is more than 2 inches. The heaviest 1-day snowfall on record was more than 5 inches. The average relative humidity in midafternoon is about 60 percent. Humidity is higher at night, and the average at dawn is about 90 percent. The sun shines 60 percent of the time possible in summer and 50 percent in winter. The prevailing wind is from the south-southeast. Average windspeed is highest- 9 miles per hour, in spring. 

Severe local storms, including tornadoes, strike occasionally in or near the area. They are of short duration and cause variable and spotty damage. Every few years in summer or autumn, a tropical depression or hurricane, which has moved inland, causes flooding from extremely heavy rains. 

Table 2.   Temperature and Precipitation            

 U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Conservation Commission

D.    Economy

Timber and tourism are the mainstays of the Polk County economy[1], but as the popula­tion grows, so does the diversity of contributions to the general business climate of the area.  Agriculture, cattle and the timber industry contributed nearly $52 million into the local economy last year.  Approximately 70 percent of the land in Polk County are forestland, 10 percent pastureland or hay fields, 6 percent water, 3 percent cropland, and 11 percent towns, parks and developed subdivisions[2].  Timber and hardwood brought in over $36.3 million last year, making timber the county's top crop.  Oil and gas also contribute, especially in the eastern parts of the county. Mineral values make up 80.7 percent of the taxable value in the Big Sandy Independent School District and over 58.4 percent of the total value in the Leggett Independent School District. Nearly half of the land in Polk County is owned by industry.

The scenic forests, Lake Livingston, the Trinity River and Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation are the main attractions that make tourism a large contributor to the local economy.  Tourism contributed to over $57.34 million to the local economy, according to preliminary Texas Department of Commerce figures supplied by the Polk County Chamber of Commerce.  Tourism payroll figures for Texas were over $8 billion, with the figure for Polk County being $9.61 million.  Some of those tourists decide to make Polk County their home and have helped make Polk County the second fastest growing county per capita in Texas.

The Terrell Unit prison on FM 350 South opened in 1993 and its subsequent expansion and employment opportunities have played a major role in the county's growth. The swelling population has helped boost retail sales and prompted new business starts. 

Livingston, the major retailing cen­ter in the county, has recorded sales tax revenue increases for 11 consecutive years, taking in over $1.8 million last year.  The city issued permits for construction valued at over $6 million in 1997, mostly for commercial construction with about $1.2 million in resi­dential building.  Commercially, the area along the U.S. 59 Bypass is developing rapidly, as is the stretch along U.S. 190 West between Livingston and Onalaska. The Lufkin memorial Hospital System is currently building a new 31 million dollar hospital facility and new medical professional building is going up in the same area, along the US 59 Bypass.  The Livingston Independent School District is constructing a new High School and Junior High School just blocks from the hospital location.   

Onalaska is the major business and shopping area on Lake Livingston. The Onalaska City Council is actively pursuing annexation of the adjacent peninsula area in hopes the increased population will draw industry and open the door for future grant monies for development and enhancement of the area. 

Corrigan is the major retailing center in the northern end of the county and growth is the byword for city planners. A new primary school opened in the fall. The City is planning a major water system improvement and plans are underway for the construction of the by-pass for U.S. 59.

This Homepage was prepared by Kenneth F. Hambrick, Polk County Coordinator. Contact at E-Mail address: webmaster@pcoem.org  for additional information about our program. The information contained in this Homepage is considered public domain and the Office of Emergency Management encourages interested persons to utilize any portions of it that might be of educational benefit or enhance their local programs.

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