Hazard Mitigation Plan meetings planned in new year

The new year will bring Iroquois County's effort to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan.  An updated version of the plan seeks to reduce damage caused by severe weather, including thunderstorms, floods, snow and ice storms, tornados and other events.

The first of a series of planning meetings is scheduled for Thursday, January 18, 2024.  The 6:30 pm meeting is at the MABAS 37 Building, 103 1/2 Main Street, Crescent City (behind Ailey's Welding Shop).  The meeting is open to the public. 

All County, Township and Municipal officials are encouraged to attend and provide input. Other necessary stakeholders include schools, fire protection districts, healthcare services and technical partners. Input gathered during working sessions will be used to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The series of committee meetings welcomes residents to ask questions.

"The mitigation plan describes the natural hazard events that have impacted the County, identifying activities and projects to reduce the risk to residents, property and infrastructure," said Scott Anderson, Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator.  "By having an updated hazard mitigation plan, the County and participating jurisdictions become eligible for federal funds to carry out projects and activities," he said.

Anderson adds, "this mitigation plan is different from the County's emergency response plan because it focuses on ways to reduce and prevent damages before thay occur."

The Hazard Mitigation Plan and the process to update it is funded through a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

94.1 WGFA