Glossary of Risk Mitigation

Unexpected event that affects the operation of an essential service and/or puts lives or property at risk near the location.

Collective, institutional, and physical assets that have value for the community. Examples: population, critical infrastructure such as housing, hospitals, educational institutions, shelters, police stations, fire stations, electrical, sanitary, stormwater, road infrastructure, etc.

The ability of an individual or community to adapt (adjust) to changes.

Sea level rise is defined as the increase in the volume of ocean water. It is one of the effects of climate change, caused primarily by the melting of glaciers and the thermal expansion of water.

Extreme heat is a condition in which high temperatures (over 90 degrees F) and humidity occur for a prolonged time (at least 2 consecutive days).

Capabilities are a combination of skills, resources, attributes, and strengths that a community possesses to address various risks and situations. Examples include: human knowledge, leadership, skills, infrastructure, and institutions.

A watershed is a catchment area, defined by the elevation of the land, where all water flows toward a single point. All surface water bodies receive their water from a watershed.

A landslide is a downward movement of earth materials, affected by gravity.

When water resources are affected by biological, chemical, or physical contaminants, rendering them unsuitable for recreational use, consumption, or wildlife. Examples: fecal bacteria, pesticides, sedimentation.

When air is affected by biological, chemical, or physical pollutants. Examples: fungal spores, toxic gases, Saharan dust.

Coastal erosion is a process by which the action of the sea causes the coastline to recede.

A hurricane is a natural atmospheric system of low pressure that forms in tropical areas and its sustained winds exceed 74 mph.

These are fires caused by human actions, intentional or unintentional, that affect areas of vegetation or grasslands near properties. Examples include lit cigarette butts, broken glass, and other flammable materials.

When part of the population experiences uncertainty due to a lack of physical, social, and economic access to sufficient food to meet their nutritional needs.

It is the set of infrastructural elements created by humans, from facilities to technological systems, that support the activity and operation of essential services that guarantee our way of life and well-being. Examples: pumping stations for flood control, electrical power distribution systems, water and sewage systems, wastewater treatment plants, landfills, ports, airports, banks, communications systems, reservoirs, and dams.

Floods are temporary overflows of water onto land that is normally dry. They can occur when the amount of water in a river or stream exceeds the capacity of its channel and/or due to heavy rainfall in urban areas when the amount of water exceeds the design capacity of the stormwater drainage system.

Liquefaction is a phenomenon caused by earthquakes where the soil loses its rigidity when the water table rises. This can cause structures such as buildings or roads to collapse.

When individuals or groups dispose of materials irresponsibly or in violation of established laws, endangering human health, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Examples: illegal dumping, toxic materials.

Storm surge is an event caused by storms and hurricanes where the water level on the coast exceeds the predicted tide.

An epidemic disease that spreads to several countries and affects a large number of people.

A situation that presents a possibility or threat of some negative effect occurring.

These are hazards caused by human activities. Examples include water pollution, food insecurity, improper solid waste management, technological accidents, and pandemics.

These are hazards caused by meteorological, environmental, or geological events. Examples include hurricanes, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, floods, coastal erosion, and extreme heat.

Resilience is the ability to resist, adapt, and recover from the impact of an adverse situation.

Risk is the probability of damage to property, loss of life, or other impact on the community caused by natural and anthropogenic hazards.

An event where water, unexpectedly released from a reservoir, could affect lives or property near the riverbed or downstream.

Prolonged period of dry weather caused by a lack of precipitation that results in water scarcity for some activity, population, or ecological system.

A sub-basin is a subdivision of a basin. That is, a basin can contain several sub-basins.

An earthquake is a rapid and sudden shaking of the earth caused by the displacement of rock inside the planet as it releases accumulated energy.

The term "terrorism" refers to intentional and criminally malicious acts. It includes the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce the government, the civilian population, or any other segment thereof, for political or social objectives.

An atmospheric system with maximum sustained winds of 39 to 73 mph.

A tsunami is a series of giant waves caused by one of the following events: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, underwater landslides, or asteroids.

Vulnerability is defined as the diminished capacity of an individual or community to anticipate, cope with, resist, and recover from the effects of a natural or anthropogenic hazard.