FEMA approves Rockwall County’s hazard mitigation action plan

(ROCKWALL, TX — September 14, 2017) A two-year application process has ended with FEMA’s approval of Rockwall County’s hazard mitigation action plan.

“This opens the door for opportunities to get grants for projects and programs to make our communities safe,” said Joe DeLane, emergency management coordinator of the Rockwall County Office of Emergency Management.

County Judge David Sweet announced the action by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) at a recent special meeting of Rockwall County Commissioners Court.

DeLane called the approval “monumental,” based on the detailed steps that had to be taken during the application process.

After Sweet’s announcement, DeLane briefly described the steps, including public meetings; briefings to members of commissioners court, city councils and school boards; surveys; and meetings with representatives of all city departments.

“The cooperation and the partnering just made us closer as a county,” DeLane said.

“I agree with you completely,” Sweet responded. “I’m always proud of when that works out.”

Sweet had words of praise for DeLane and Melanie Jensen, emergency management specialist, for heading the effort that led to approval.

Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. State and local governments engage in hazard mitigation planning to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters, and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events

According to FEMA, an approved hazard mitigation plan is a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. Ultimately, hazard mitigation planning enables action to reduce loss of life and property, lessening the impact of disasters.

DeLane said the process started when Rockwall County was awarded an $80,000 grant to assist in developing the plan. A consultant which specializes in preparing these plans was hired.

Initial steps included developing a list of partners and stakeholders—representatives of public safety and a variety of departments in each city. Partners also included officials from both school districts in the county.

Public meetings were held and an online survey was conducted to identify natural hazards that concerned residents. DeLane said those natural hazards included tornadoes, winter storms, flooding, drought and heat emergencies.

For each natural hazard identified, 50 years of historical data had to be collected, showing frequency, severity and what was damaged. Representatives then met to develop a hazard action mitigation plan.

“So, we had to come up with some ideas and some things we could do to mitigate some of those hazards within our county,” he said. “For example, for a tornado, it might be an outdoor warning system, putting in an outdoor warning system to help mitigate, to warn people.”

Another possible action that could be part of an action plan involves drainage improvements to eliminate flooding conditions.

Two actions per hazard were required in the plan.

When the plan was drafted, it was sent to the state, then returned to the county for corrections or changes. When the plan was approved by the state it was sent to FEMA. Then—finally—each jurisdiction had to approve a resolution adopting the plan.

DeLane said a presidentially-declared disaster opens up the hazard mitigation grant program in the entire state. President Donald Trump recently declared a disaster because of flooding in South Texas. DeLane said that means every entity in Texas that has a FEMA plan is eligible to apply for mitigation grants.

“If an outdoor warning system is in a plan, you can apply for a grant,” DeLane said. “FEMA will look at it, go through the request, research and determine whether this is something that’s needed to mitigate the issue.”

The plan covers a five-year period.

Submitted press release.

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