NEWMAN — In a decisive move to strengthen community resilience, the Newman City Council has adopted the Health and Safety Element Update, a measure designed to address the city’s most pressing environmental and man-made hazards.
This comprehensive update, mandated by state law, outlines strategies to mitigate threats ranging from seismic activity and flooding to hazardous materials exposure and climate change-induced risks.
The adoption of the resolution marks a pivotal step in safeguarding Newman’s residents by incorporating findings from key regional and state safety plans.
Newman faces a range of natural and man-made hazards, and the Health and Safety Element Update highlights the severity of these risks. Seismic hazards, exacerbated by California’s fault systems, pose a significant concern, while flood hazards—both localized and those linked to dam failures—remain a persistent challenge. Extreme weather, drought conditions, landslide risks, fire dangers, hazardous material concerns, and climate change threats all underscore the need for proactive community safety measures.
Drought and Water Security
One environmental challenge that has gained attention is the city’s vulnerability to drought. Newman’s primary potable water source comes from groundwater in the Delta-Mendota Subbasin, within the San Joaquin River Hydrologic Region. The City’s Public Works Department Water Division currently supplies water to approximately 3,332 single-family customers, 67 multi-family customers, and 147 commercial and industrial customers—including water used for fire protection.
While drought is a concern, local officials emphasize that the city has taken key preventive measures. Newman has updated its 2020 Urban Water Management Plan (UWMP), implemented a Water Contingency Plan, and enforces Ordinance No. 2015-2, the Water Conservation and Education ordinance. Additionally, the city has explored diversifying its water supply, given that groundwater resources have limitations and salinity issues persist in the region.
Seismic Risks and Earthquake Vulnerability
Newman’s location places it between two seismically active regions: the Sierra foothills and the Coast Range. The city is closer to active faults in the Coast Range than other Stanislaus County cities, including major fault zones like San Andreas, Hayward, and Clayton Marsh Creek-Greenville. Within Newman’s immediate planning area, the San Joaquin Fault presents a direct hazard, with historical data indicating occasional ground shaking from seismic activity in the Diablo Range.
Records show that Newman has experienced earthquakes in the past, including a magnitude 5.0 event in 1926, a magnitude 4.0 quake in 1930, and a magnitude 3.7 earthquake in 1986 near Crows Landing. While the city has not faced the same level of seismic activity as Bay Area communities, the Ortigalita Fault Zone in the Diablo Range is capable of producing earthquakes between magnitude 6.5 and 6.75.
Flooding Hazards and Mitigation Efforts
Flooding is one of the major environmental risks facing Newman, and it can occur in three forms: localized flooding, 100-year flood zones, and dam inundation hazards.
Much of Newman is prone to shallow flooding from Orestimba Creek during heavy storms, which originates in the Coast Range mountains and flows into the Central Valley. This type of flooding affects areas within the FEMA 100-year floodplain, but occurs more frequently than once in a century. Historic floods in 1958, 1985, 1995, and 1998 caused damage to roads, homes, and infrastructure.
Landslide Risks in Newman
Although Newman does not frequently experience landslides, the broader Stanislaus County area has notable geological formations susceptible to slope failure. The western edge of the county, part of the Diablo Range, has steep slopes prone to instability due to runoff, vegetation loss, earthquake activity, and human modifications.
While Newman’s soil structure contributes to earthquake vulnerability, it does not significantly raise landslide risks within city limits. However, regional planning efforts continue monitoring ground stability near key infrastructure to prevent future slope-related hazards.
Fire Hazards in Newman
Newman faces low wildfire risk, as much of its undeveloped land is used for irrigated agriculture, which helps minimize fire fuel buildup. However, brush along the San Joaquin River poses a higher risk, particularly during peak wildfire season from May to October.
Hazardous Materials and Waste Management
Hazardous materials pose a unique risk to Newman due to industrial and agricultural activities. Hazardous waste includes solvents, gasoline, pesticides, fertilizers, and various commercial byproducts. Federal, state, and local agencies strictly regulate hazardous materials to prevent contamination and ensure public safety.
Extreme Weather and Climate Change
Severe weather events—including heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and lightning—are frequent occurrences in Newman, with historical data showing a 73.6 percent chance of a major event annually. Additionally, extreme heat events are becoming more prevalent, with projections showing a rising number of days exceeding 100°F by the end of the century.
Tsunami Risk Assessment
Tsunamis, also known as seismic sea waves, are high-impact disasters that can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life, particularly in coastal regions. These waves can travel at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour in open water and reach heights exceeding 100 feet upon landfall. Tsunami-related hazards include flooding, contamination of drinking water, and fires from ruptured gas lines.
However, given Newman’s location within Stanislaus County, tsunamis are not considered a hazard for the jurisdiction. Neither the city nor the county lies within a designated tsunami hazard area, nor does Newman sit near a large estuary, minimizing any risk of tsunami-related impacts.
Policy and Action Steps
The newly adopted plan sets forth a range of protective measures. These include enhanced zoning regulations for flood-prone areas, improvements to emergency response coordination, stricter controls on industrial waste management, and updated earthquake, flood, landslide, fire, hazardous materials, and extreme weather safety provisions.
Next Steps in Implementation
As the city moves forward, officials will begin rolling out policies outlined in the Health and Safety Element. Residents can expect updates to Newman’s emergency preparedness programs, expanded public outreach efforts on disaster readiness, and potential infrastructural investments to fortify vulnerable areas.
