Assignment:
Assessment Description
In January 2010, the small farming community of Wenden, Arizona, was hit by its second 100-year flood in 10 years when heavy rains caused water flows that breached the banks of the Centennial Wash. At the crest of the flood, three-quarters of the town was underwater.
You have been tasked by the La Paz County board of supervisors to evaluate alternative hazard mitigation actions.
Two alternatives have been identified for your review:
Constructing a dike along the Centennial Wash to divert the flow of floodwaters and move the town to higher ground. In an essay of 1,000 to 1,250 words, provide the following:
1. Describe the demographics of the town of Wenden, considering the perceived versus actual threats highlighted by the demographics.
2. Describe the nature of the problem in the town.
3. Write an assessment of the two alternatives using a set of criteria that is used for screening and planning decisions, identified by the acronym STAPLE (E): social, technical, administrative, political, legal, economic, and environmental. You will find an explanation of these criteria in the previously assigned FEMA course, "IS-242.A Effective Communication":
4. What are the cost benefits of the two alternatives?
5. Provide an alternative solution of your own for La Paz County board of supervisors to consider. What are the cost benefits of your proposed solution?