The hazard mitigation planning processes will be conducted over the course of approximately one year, beginning in January, 2010. Key steps of the process include:
- Research a full range of natural and man-made hazards
- Identify the most significant hazards (the ones that present the most risk to the county); these will be the focus of the plan
- Identify the location and extent of hazard areas
- Identify assets located within hazard areas
- Characterize existing and potential future assets at risk by analyzing land uses and development trends
- Assess vulnerabilities to the identified hazards
- Identify local, state, and Federal capabilities that support hazard mitigation
- Develop a mitigation strategy by evaluating and prioritizing goals, objectives, and hazard mitigation actions
- Adopt the plan
- Implement the Plan and monitor its progress
While natural disasters cannot be prevented from occurring, the continued implementation of our hazard mitigation plan over the long-term will gradually, but steadily, lessen the impacts associated with hazard events in our region.