Ford County creating mitigation plan to address future natural disasters

PAXTON, Ill. (WCIA) — A new Ford County committee is looking to prepare the county’s emergency response and resources for natural disasters that may befall the county in the future.

The Office of Emergency Management recently held the first meeting of its Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee in Roberts. The committee’s purpose is to develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan to reduce the damages caused by disasters like floods, winter weather, thunderstorms and tornados.

“The Plan will identify the natural hazard events that have taken place in the County. The Plan also will list activities and projects that can reduce the risk to residents and damages to property and infrastructure,” said Ford County EMA Coordinator Terry Whitebird. “Once the Plan is finalized, the County and participating jurisdictions will become eligible for federal funding for these projects.”

These jurisdictions include Ford County offices like 911, the County Board and Sheriff’s Office, school districts, the Villages of Piper City, Roberts and Sibley, the Gibson City Fire Protection District and Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative. Funding for the HMP and the process to create it is provided by a grant from FEMA.

The Ford County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee will hold another meeting at 6 p.m. on July 16 at Roberts Gym. The public, as well as representatives of municipalities, townships, school districts and fire protection districts, is invited to attend and ask questions. Questions and concerns can also be submitted in an online survey or the Ford County EMA.

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