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Community Severe Winter Storms Vulnerability Summaries <br />A majority of Wimberley’s power lines are on poles. This poses a vulnerability <br />City of Wimberley <br />due to the impact on electricity to homes and business during cold <br />temperatures when an accumulation of ice and snow on branches could <br />cause them to fall on the exposed power lines. The electrical system does <br />not promote redundancy so the risk for power outages is significant. The <br />transmission line is extremely old and has limited capacity which can lead to <br />extended outage where residents could have difficulty staying warm. <br />Risk Assessment <br />The City has limited capabilities to respond to transportation issues in the <br />event of a severe winter weather event. Currently, there is an inter-local <br />agreement with Hays County, as well as a private contract for sand spreading <br />in the event of icy roads. However, there are many elevated bridges, as well as <br />ingress and egress points to neighborhoods that are low water crossings. These <br />crossings can become frozen over and could cause issues with first responders <br />reaching distress calls. Ranch Road 12 is a main artery for residents, as well as <br />emergency responders, as it gives the fastest access to Hospital. In the past, it <br />has been necessary to stage medical assets in advance due to its inaccessibility <br />during a winter weather event. Additionally, the City has many hilly areas that <br />create inaccessible areas due to the risk associated with grade and ice. <br />Woodcreek’s entire electrical distribution system is subsurface, which <br />City of Woodcreek <br />eliminates a vulnerability to power lines experiencing impact from falling <br />branches or the weight of ice and snow. The most substantial vulnerability to <br />Woodcreek is the presence of low water crossings at each of the major roads <br />that serve as access points to the community. Brookmeadow, Brookhollow and <br />Woodcreek Drive all cross Hog Creek. These crossings are critical to emergency <br />responder ingress and egress for the community and would be affected greatly <br />by icy conditions. Although there is an alternate entrance (a back gate at the <br />edge of town) that provides an alternate route, this alternate entrance has 2 <br />low water crossings across 2 other creeks. Road hazards not only put citizens at <br />risk, but also endanger the lives of first responders. <br />44 <br /> <br />