| Overview | Meetings | Resources | Plan Document |
|---|
Hazard Mitigation Planning Overview
About Hazard Mitigation Planning
The law states that FEMA must deny or restrict eligibility for pre and post-disaster hazard mitigation grants for those government agencies and organizations that choose not to comply with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. In order to comply with Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and qualify for future hazard mitigation grant awards, the district must develop a district-wide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan itself is composed of an inventory of hazards that affect the district, a risk analysis those hazard pose, the financial impacts associated with those hazards, and a series of mitigation strategies (goals, objectives, policies, actions) used to prevent or reduce the loss associated with hazards.
History and Need for the Plan
Historically Southwestern Wisconsin but specifically Iowa County has experienced numerous severe weather related events many of which have caused extensive property damage and loss consequently causing resulting economic issues for public and private entities and ownership.
A list of a few of the major events some of which were FEMA declared major natural disasters would include heavy snows in 1973, 1990, 2007-08; droughts in 1976 and 1988; a crippling ice storm in 1976; heavy rains flooding conditions in 1978, 1990, 1993, 2000, 2007, 2008 and one of the worst state-wide tornadoes in the Barneveld area in 1984. All of these events and other less severe storms have a direct impact on the population and the emergency responders - most of whom are volunteers - both financially and emotionally not only in the response but also in the recovery efforts.
Obviously the loss of tax base caused by the natural event of a major storm is a double blow to an area that also has to absorb clean up and other recovery costs while the individual impact is a definite financial burden. It may be that unmeasured emotional issues for those who are often severely affected cannot be adequately expressed by an outside observer. It is not possible to eliminate the potential exposure to a natural disaster but any efforts that can be accomplished to reduce the accompanying risk through protective efforts would surely be a positive activity.
The Planning Grant
After the recent flood of 2008, Iowa County was permitted to submit a grant proposal for funds through the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. In the fall of 2009, Iowa County was awarded funds to prepare a County-wide All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The planning grant and process will provide Iowa County and its participating local jurisdictions with an opportunity to identify and prioritize its hazard risks to develop mitigation strategies that will inform public investments, increase public awareness, and provide better protection of life and property. In addition, the plan will allow those communities affected by the natural and man-made disasters opportunities access to federal relief funds and resources.