The Mount Vernon City Council approved the Knox County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to maintain the city's eligibility for FEMA mitigation grants during its Feb. 9 meeting.
"If we would have a disaster and we don't adopt this plan, it's not going to do us any good to apply for any relief from FEMA, because they're just going to flatly refuse it," said Council member Dale Miller, as captured in a meeting video.
According to Miller, the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is a FEMA-approved planning document designed to help communities reduce losses in future disasters before emergencies occur. The plan enables local governments to implement practical and cost-effective measures aimed at lessening disaster impacts on people, property, and critical infrastructure.
Miller also said that the plan is not an emergency response strategy but rather identifies potential hazards that could affect the community. It assists in understanding vulnerabilities related to people, buildings, and infrastructure and promotes long-term actions to mitigate or eliminate these risks.
In his remarks, Miller highlighted that a yearly review of the five-year plan is conducted. He identified storms, utility failures, and floods as Mount Vernon's primary risk factors.
Knox County Emergency Management Agency Director James DeChant noted that the county utilizes the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to address risks. When evaluating ongoing projects, mitigation funds may allow for improvements beyond what would otherwise be possible.
