MOS6801
Unit II: Changes in Emergency Management
Columbia Southern University
MOS6801
Emergency Risk Factors in Peachtree City
When considering how emergency management and response has developed over the last
fifty year in my community, it is important to consider that it was a planned community that was
established in March of 1959, and as such, does not have much history to draw from or events
that allow for learning from past mistakes. Peachtree City is located approximately 30 miles
south of Atlanta and its location protects it form many forms of natural disaster, while strict
regulations on industry minimize the potential for man-made catastrophes. Peachtree City does
have three large man-made lakes and two creeks that are prone to flooding issues in the lower
laying areas, and while it rates highly for vulnerability to inland flooding on the Fayette County
mitigation plan hazard identity chart (“Hazard mitigation plan,”2), it is nothing on the scale that
coastal or river valley areas face. From 1950-2010, Peachtree City has experienced very few
extreme weather conditions (Figure A) Occasionally, the area experiences tornado level winds
and on October 10th, 2018, winds from hurricane Michael’s landfall were observed in the county
at approximately 65-70 mph.
Figure A: Extreme Weather Events in Fayette County
Type Count Type Count Type Count Type Count Type Count
Avalanche: 0 Blizzard: 0 Cold: 16 Dense Fog: 3 Drought: 55
Dust Storm: 0 Flood: 203 Hail: 1,720 Heat: 9 Heavy Snow: 31
High Surf: 0 Hurricane: 4 Ice Storm: 14 Landslide: 0 Strong Wind: 27
Thunderstorm Winds: 2,073 Tropical Storm: 14 Wildfire: 2 Winter Storm: 10 Winter Weather: 27
Other: 599
(http://www.usa.com/peachtree-city-ga-natural-disasters-extremes.htm)
Peachtree city also has several advantages when dealing with emergencies, responses and
preparedness. First of all, the demographics of the city tend towards a high median household
, income ($96,880, U.S. Census, 2000) that gives them the ability to afford specialized
training and equipment, as well as standing police, fire, and EMT forces without relying heavily
on volunteer contributions. When hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, there were populations
of socially and economically disenfranchised citizens that were not accounted for in the
emergency plans and fell through the cracks. Peachtree City does not have a particularly diverse
population and even residents that makeup the lower end of the household incomes are, on
average, in a far better situation than lower income areas in larger cities or less affluent
counties…”wealthier residents in almost any community tend to live in places that are less
vulnerable to natural hazards and in structures that are better able to withstand the damage
wrought by such hazards.” (Rubin, 2020, p.58). This affluence allows for a greater level of
preparedness in the community organizations and recognition from federal, state, and local
government.
Secondly, Peachtree City is a Foreign Trade Zone, the location of the Nation Weather
Service for the region, and the location of Atlanta Traconn, which services air traffic control for
Hartsfield-Jackson airport and other regional airspace. All of these factors make Peachtree City a
priority for emergency relief and aid.
Peachtree City’s location tends to leave it more isolated from larger Atlanta Metro areas
that results in a small community that is able to be better educated and alerted to incidents,
though in these days of social media, that advantage is less and less relevant as even large cites
can be informed of situations in a matter of moments. As a planned community, Peachtree City
also has the advantage of its location being chosen after careful consideration to mitigate as
many foreseeable issues with weather and nature as possible (A. Cuebas, personal
communication. Feb 3rd, 2021) The man-made lakes are controllable if their levels become too
high, and Lake Peachtree was recently drained and retrofitted with a new spillway when after
Unit II: Changes in Emergency Management
Columbia Southern University
MOS6801
Emergency Risk Factors in Peachtree City
When considering how emergency management and response has developed over the last
fifty year in my community, it is important to consider that it was a planned community that was
established in March of 1959, and as such, does not have much history to draw from or events
that allow for learning from past mistakes. Peachtree City is located approximately 30 miles
south of Atlanta and its location protects it form many forms of natural disaster, while strict
regulations on industry minimize the potential for man-made catastrophes. Peachtree City does
have three large man-made lakes and two creeks that are prone to flooding issues in the lower
laying areas, and while it rates highly for vulnerability to inland flooding on the Fayette County
mitigation plan hazard identity chart (“Hazard mitigation plan,”2), it is nothing on the scale that
coastal or river valley areas face. From 1950-2010, Peachtree City has experienced very few
extreme weather conditions (Figure A) Occasionally, the area experiences tornado level winds
and on October 10th, 2018, winds from hurricane Michael’s landfall were observed in the county
at approximately 65-70 mph.
Figure A: Extreme Weather Events in Fayette County
Type Count Type Count Type Count Type Count Type Count
Avalanche: 0 Blizzard: 0 Cold: 16 Dense Fog: 3 Drought: 55
Dust Storm: 0 Flood: 203 Hail: 1,720 Heat: 9 Heavy Snow: 31
High Surf: 0 Hurricane: 4 Ice Storm: 14 Landslide: 0 Strong Wind: 27
Thunderstorm Winds: 2,073 Tropical Storm: 14 Wildfire: 2 Winter Storm: 10 Winter Weather: 27
Other: 599
(http://www.usa.com/peachtree-city-ga-natural-disasters-extremes.htm)
Peachtree city also has several advantages when dealing with emergencies, responses and
preparedness. First of all, the demographics of the city tend towards a high median household
, income ($96,880, U.S. Census, 2000) that gives them the ability to afford specialized
training and equipment, as well as standing police, fire, and EMT forces without relying heavily
on volunteer contributions. When hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, there were populations
of socially and economically disenfranchised citizens that were not accounted for in the
emergency plans and fell through the cracks. Peachtree City does not have a particularly diverse
population and even residents that makeup the lower end of the household incomes are, on
average, in a far better situation than lower income areas in larger cities or less affluent
counties…”wealthier residents in almost any community tend to live in places that are less
vulnerable to natural hazards and in structures that are better able to withstand the damage
wrought by such hazards.” (Rubin, 2020, p.58). This affluence allows for a greater level of
preparedness in the community organizations and recognition from federal, state, and local
government.
Secondly, Peachtree City is a Foreign Trade Zone, the location of the Nation Weather
Service for the region, and the location of Atlanta Traconn, which services air traffic control for
Hartsfield-Jackson airport and other regional airspace. All of these factors make Peachtree City a
priority for emergency relief and aid.
Peachtree City’s location tends to leave it more isolated from larger Atlanta Metro areas
that results in a small community that is able to be better educated and alerted to incidents,
though in these days of social media, that advantage is less and less relevant as even large cites
can be informed of situations in a matter of moments. As a planned community, Peachtree City
also has the advantage of its location being chosen after careful consideration to mitigate as
many foreseeable issues with weather and nature as possible (A. Cuebas, personal
communication. Feb 3rd, 2021) The man-made lakes are controllable if their levels become too
high, and Lake Peachtree was recently drained and retrofitted with a new spillway when after
