Jasper County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2005

Jasper County Update Sections

Newton CountyHazard Mitigation Plan 2005

Newton County Update Sections

Under Construction

Community Profile

Common Mitigation Tools

Mitigation Is Not A "Quick Fix"

Mitigation Project Ideas

Wide-ranging Multi-Hazard Mitigation Activities

Mitigation strategies or activities fall into six general categories. 

Prevention
Preventative activities are intended to keep hazard problems from getting worse. They are particularly effective in reducing a community’s future vulnerability, especially in areas where development has not occurred or capital improvements have not been substantial. Examples of preventative activities include:
 
•Open space preservation
•Storm water management
•Drainage system maintenance
•Shoreline / riverine setbacks
•Capital Improvement Plans/critical facility placement
•Special assessment districts
 
Local land use plans and ordinances can be used to limit development in hazard-prone areas or to from getting worse.  Examples of local enforcement tools that can be used include:
•Planning and zoning
•Floodplain regulations
 

Property Protection
Property protection measures protect new or existing structures by modifying the building to withstand hazardous events, or removing structures from hazardous locations. Examples include:
 
•Acquisition
•Relocation
•Building elevation
•Critical facilities protection
•Building codes (enforcement)
•Safe rooms
•Basement backflow prevention
•Retrofitting (i.e., windproofing, floodproofing, seismic design standards, etc.)
•Wind shutters

Natural Resource Protection
Natural resource protection activities reduce the impact of natural hazards by preserving or restoring natural areas and their mitigation functions. Such areas include floodplains, wetlands, and dunes. Parks, recreation, or conservation agencies, and organizations often implement these measures. Examples include:
 
•Floodplain protection
•Riparian buffers
•Vegetative planting and treatment / slope stabilization / fire-resistant landscaping
•Fuel breaks
•Wetland preservation and restoration
 

Structural Projects
Structural mitigation projects are intended to lessen the impact of a hazard by modifying the environmental natural progression of the hazard event. They are usually designed by engineers and managed or maintained by public works staff. Examples include:
 
•Channel modification
•Levees/dikes/floodwalls
•Diversions/detention/retention
•Reservoirs
•Utility protection/upgrades
•Wind retrofitting/windproofing
 
Emergency Services
Although not typically considered a “mitigation technique,” emergency service measures do minimize the impact of a hazard event on people and property. These commonly are actions taken immediately prior to, during, or in response to a hazard event. Examples include:
•Warning systems
•Evacuation planning and management
•Sandbagging for flood protection
 

Public Information and Awareness
Public information and awareness activities are used to advise residents, business owners, potential property buyers, and visitors about hazards, hazardous areas, and mitigation techniques they can use to protect themselves and their property. Examples of measures to educate and inform the public include:
 
•Speaker series / demonstration events
•Hazard map information
•Real estate disclosure
•Library materials
•School children education
•Hazard expositions
•Websites
 

Your comments are welcome!

The planning team hopes that you will take an active role in the hazard mitigation plan updates

 If you would like more information or have questions or comments, you can reach the planning team by phone or email:

Local Contact Person, Stephanie Campbell, Environmental Program Specialist

417-782-3515

scampbell@hstcc.org

Site update: August 12, 2008

Webmaster: scampbell@hstcc.org