13 - RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2017 LAMAR COUNTY MITIGATION PLAN

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Lamar County Multi- Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Chapter Three 6. Vulnerability Terrorists look for visible targets where they can avoid detection before or after an attack such as international airports, large cities, major international events, resorts, and high - profile landmarks. Since no high visible targets are located in Lamar County the greatest risk is from an attack on the transportation system. The areas along the major transportation routes Hwy 82, Hwy 56, and Hwy 121, along with the Hwy 78 Red River Bridge are the most vulnerable. A terrorist attack could disrupt transportation of necessities, distress the local economy, and cause mass injuries and deaths. According to the —Lamar County Soil Surveyll, agriculture is the main business in Lamar County. Therefore an act of agri- terrorism or the use of biological agents on agriculture would be the most damaging to the county. The risk of such attack is low but the use and exposure to these agents can remain unknown for several days, and allowing for the possible spreading of contamination. 7. Secondary Hazards The resulting secondary effects from an act of terrorism are contingent on the type, location, and severity of the initial event. A nuclear detonation is potentially the most destructive of any terrorist attack. The amount of destruction would vary depending on the size of the weapon. The secondary effects or fallout would depend on other factors, such as wind speed and weather conditions. The fallout effects on the surrounding environment and population could be felt for many years and have greater secondary effect than the initial event. 8. Overall Summary of Vulnerability and Impacts While we may not be able to prevent an attack, it is well within our ability to lessen the likelihood and /or the potential effects of an incident. Cities in the county should continue to improve their readiness to respond to a terrorist incident though participation in State and Federal programs that provide training and equipment for agencies that would respond to a local terrorist incident, and in exercises that help to improve agency coordination and test local response plans. Although the likelihood of a terrorist attack in Lamar County is currently low the chances could increase during the five -year life of this plan. Future plans need to address this hazard in more detail. 149