Feedback on Hazard Mitigation Plan sought

Flood, drought, wildfire, earthquakes, and severe weather are just a few of the hazards to Madera County, and Madera County will revamp its now six-year-old plan to deal with them.

The update process began in March with an initial public and planning meeting and the establishment of a planning committee made up of representatives from the county, its cities, special districts, and other key stakeholders. The plan is set to be finalized and submitted to the state’s Office of Emergency Services and the Federal Emergency Management Agency this month.

A final meeting for the public to offer feedback on the latest draft of the plan will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Madera County Sheriff’s Emergency Operations Center, 2725 Falcon Drive.

Those unable to attend can send written comments to the center (addressed “ATTN: Sgt. Joseph Wilder”) or email feedback.

The latest draft of the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan update is available online as a PDF at madera-county.com/index.php/lhmp. A printed version is also available at Madera County libraries in Madera, Chowchilla, Madera Ranchos, North Fork and Oakhurst.

Hazard mitigation plans form the foundation for a community’s long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses by breaking cycles of disaster damage and reconstruction. Additionally, only communities with a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan are eligible to apply for both pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant funding.

For information, contact Sgt. Joseph Wilder at 675-7770.