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Anoka County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan 85 Buttress Concrete Dams have a strong foundation and are resistant to sliding, overturning and overflowing. Stone Masonry Dams are constructed of stone or block with masonry joints. Dam break floods are usually associated with intense rainfall or flood conditions. Dam failure may be caused by faulty design, construction and operational inadequacies, or a flood event larger than the dam design. The degree and extent of damage depends on the size of the dam. The greatest threat to people and property is in the area immediately below the dam since flood discharges decrease as the flood wave moves downstream. A small dam retaining water in a stock pond may result in little damage, but could result in the loss of irrigation water, causing financial hardship to farmers. Failure of a larger dam failure might bring about considerable loss of property, destruction of cropland, roads, and utilities, and loss of life. Far-reaching consequences can include loss of income, disruption of services, and environmental devastation. 4.2.2.4 Hazardous Materials Incident Hazardous materials are chemical substances, when, released or misused, pose a threat to the environment or health. These chemicals are used in industry, agriculture, medicine, research, and consumer goods. Hazardous materials come in the form of explosives, flammable and combustible substances, poisons, and radioactive materials. These substances are most often released as a result of transportation or industrial accidents. Hazardous materials in various forms can cause death, serious injury, long-lasting health effects, and damage to buildings, homes, and other property. Many products containing hazardous chemicals are used and stored in homes. Varying quantities of hazardous materials are manufactured, used, or stored at an estimated 4.5 million facilities in the United States--from major industrial plants to local dry cleaning establishments or gardening supply stores. Hazardous materials are transported by highway, railway, waterway, and pipeline daily, so any area is considered vulnerable to an accident. Hazardous materials incidents typically take three forms: fixed facility incidents, transportation incidents/pipeline incidents and radiological incidents. It is reasonably possible to identify and prepare for a fixed site incident, as laws require those facilities to notify state and local authorities about what is being used or produced. Transportation and pipeline incidents are much harder to prepare for, as the material involved and the incident location are not known until the accident actually happens.