2010 All Hazards Mitigation Plan
The draft hazard plan is now available.
2011 Grays Harbor County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Preparation
Hazard Mitigation Plans
Mitigation Plans form the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. FEMA
Grays Harbor County has initiated the process for updating its 2005 All Hazards Mitigation Plan. The Hazard Planning Team has met for four workshops in the past several months.
Public meetings are scheduled in three areas of the county -- north
beach, south beach and central county, to take place in September.
FEMA Grant Program
Hazard Mitigation Grants
Updating the plan every five years is a requirement to remain
eligible for grant funding under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
These grants help to fund new projects that reduce hazard vulnerability or the potential for damage from hazards. Some examples of how jurisdictions use grant funds under this program include:
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Retrofitting structures (such as bridges, culverts, schools, public buildings, and water systems) from flood, seismic, or wind hazards
- Structural hazard control (such as debris basins and retention ponds)
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Acquisition, elevation, or relocation of structures in areas of high hazards (such as homes prone to flooding)
- Rerouting or placing utility lines underground (such as electrical and phone lines)
Whereas FEMA grants after a disaster normally address repair and restoration of existing facilities, Hazard Mitigation Grants can build new or improve existing facilities that reduce or eliminate future exposure.
Grays Harbor County has experienced considerable damage from storm events in recent years; project money from this program could help the county and its citizens withstand their impacts more effectively. This grant program could prove an important financial resource for projects the county intends to complete in the near future.
In this update, we will focus particularly at identifying specific projects that the county will encourage or take leadership on over the next five years.
Website last updated 1/06/2011