Nassau’s Mitigation Plan will help the County better prepare for natural disasters

Nassau County
Emergency Operations Office
Press Release
Submitted by Martha L. Oberdorfer
Senior Planner / EM Coordinator
April 12, 2018 1:00 a.m.

Nassau County and its municipalities are better prepared for disasters with the recent federal approval of their local hazard mitigation plan, a long-term strategy to reduce the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters. Nassau County’s Board of County Commissioners, the City of Fernandina Beach, Town of Hilliard, and Town of Callahan have each adopted the plan by official resolution.

Drafted by Nassau County Emergency Management planners, this risk-mitigation plan identifies local hazards and potential vulnerabilities throughout the county, and creates a framework to help community officials make decisions that may ultimately protect lives and property. The plan also outlines a strategy for implementing mitigation projects in Nassau County. Through projects such as drainage improvements and structure elevation, Nassau County is taking proactive steps to lessen the impact of future disasters and the costly expenses associated with them.

History shows that the physical, financial, and emotional losses caused by disasters can be reduced significantly through hazard analysis and risk mitigation planning. The planning process encourages communities to integrate mitigation with day-to-day decision making regarding land-use planning, floodplain management, site design, and other activities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reviews and approves state, tribal and local hazard mitigation plans, which are required as a condition for states and communities to receive certain types of disaster assistance, including funding for wind, flood, and other hazard mitigation projects. State and local mitigation plans must be updated, reviewed, and approved at least once every five years.