Martin County Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan

Martin County is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan and wants residents to share their experiences with severe weather and suggest ways to reduce future damage.

The county Office of Emergency Management is working with U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota Duluth on the update, which covers all cities, townships, school districts, and watershed districts in Martin County.

The plan addresses flooding, tornadoes, windstorms, winter storms, extreme temperatures, wildfire, and drought. Mitigation activities include public outreach on severe weather, improving stormwater management, removing buildings from flood-prone areas, increasing defensible space in wildfire zones, constructing tornado safe rooms, and burying overhead powerlines.

Ben Johnson, Martin County Emergency Management Director, said hazard mitigation planning reduces the cycle of damage and repair. "Understanding the natural hazards that can cause serious impact to our communities and taking action to reduce or eliminate the impact of future disasters makes us more resilient," Johnson said.

Residents can provide feedback by answering three questions: What natural hazards pose the greatest risk to your community? Are specific populations or assets more vulnerable to future storms? What actions would help reduce damages from future hazard events?

Contact Martin County Emergency Management at 507-238-3193 or email Ben Johnson at [email protected]. An online feedback form is available. The county will release a draft plan for public review before submitting it to the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires counties to update their hazard mitigation plan every five years to maintain eligibility for FEMA grant programs.