Projects to Reduce Damages Caused By Natural Disasters
Logan County All Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee to meet January 6th
Meeting is open to the public

 

[December 31, 2019] 

Projects to prevent injuries and fatalities while maintaining vital services for Logan County residents during severe storms will be the main topic of discussion at the Logan County All Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee meeting on Thursday, January 16th, 2020 at 10:00 A.M.. The meeting will be held at the Logan County Safety Complex’s Blue Room, 911 Pekin Street, in Lincoln and is open to the public.

This Committee began work in October 2019 to update the County’s Plan. This All Hazards Mitigation Plan will identify projects and activities to protect Logan County residents and property from storms and other natural disasters. Unlike all other emergency plans, this Plan is aimed at identifying projects and activities that can be taken before these disasters occur.

“Severe storms frequently damage buildings, crops, roads, and other critical infrastructure in this area. At least $105.8 million in verified damages were caused by 144 severe weather and natural hazard events. It’s highly likely that there were additional damages that weren’t documented. Consequently we are seeking to identify preventative steps that can reduce the dollar damages as well as protecting public health before severe weather strikes,” according to Kendall Caruthers, Logan County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator.

The municipalities of Atlanta, Broadwell, Elkhart, Emden, Hartsburg, Lincoln and Mount Pulaski, in addition to the County, and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital have been participating in the planning process.

Building storm shelters, resolving drainage problems, providing back-up power supplies, retrofitting water supplies and other critical facilities to better withstand natural disasters are a few of the more frequently encountered mitigation projects in Illinois. Developing public information materials and conducting drainage studies are examples of other activities that might also be included in the All Hazards Mitigation Plan.

“A public forum will be conducted later this spring for interested persons to review the Plan update and ask questions of Committee Members. A public comment period will be established to accommodate interested persons who are unable to attend the forum. We want to make sure that anybody who is interested has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Plan update,” added Caruthers.

Interested persons can submit questions and comments to the Committee members or directly to the Logan County Emergency Management Agency.

[Kendall Caruthers
Logan County Emergency Management Agency]