Kent County Hazard Mitigation Plan

 

Project Overview

 

Project Overview

 

Press Release 6.15.2020

 

Kent County is currently working on an update to the 2014 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Mitigation plans identify potential hazards and vulnerabilities, set goals and establish specific mitigation actions to reduce risk of hazards to people, buildings, infrastructure and the environment. Local mitigation plans are required under Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) as enacted under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 in order to be eligible for federal hazard mitigation grants.

Disasters can cause loss of life; damage buildings and infrastructure; and have devastating consequences for a community’s economic, social, and environmental well-being. Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In other words, hazard mitigation keeps natural hazards from becoming natural disasters. Having an updated hazard mitigation plan will:

  • increase awareness of hazards, risk, and vulnerabilities; 
  • identify actions for risk reduction; 
  • focus resources on the greatest risks; 
  • communicate priorities to state and federal officials; 
  • and increase overall awareness of hazards and risks.

 

HISTORY OF THE KENT COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

The Kent County Hazard Mitigation Plan was originally adopted in 2005 and then again in 2014.  Comprehensive updates are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The 2020 plan update is multi-jurisdictional in scope.  The plan update will include unincorporated areas of Kent County and the towns of Betterton, Chestertown, Galena, Millington, and Rock Hall.   

 

2020 PLANNING PROCESS

The first step in the planning process involves the identification of key stakeholders to serve on the planning committee.  Sixty people from various agencies, departments, organizations, and municipalities have been identified to serve on the planning committee.  The plan will be developed over the summer months.  Additional information developed over the course of the planning process will be posted on this website.  

Please view the “FEMA Hazard Mitigation Process” handout. 

For more information on the plan development process and how you can participate, please refer to the “Engage in the Planning Process” tab on this website.