McHenry County updates hazard mitigation plan

McHenry County, in partnership with participating jurisdictions, has completed a draft update of the county's hazard mitigation plan.

The purpose of the plan is to assess natural hazards that may impact our communities and identify a strategy (i.e., projects and actions) to reduce the impact of future hazard events.

Maintaining a compliant hazard mitigation plan ensures that McHenry County is eligible for all federally available mitigation-related Federal Emergency Management Agency grant funding and disaster support opportunities as set forth in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.

Public review and comment on the draft plan is welcomed and encouraged. Comments will be accepted until Oct. 28.

An electronic version can be downloaded at the website, www.co.mchenry.il.us.

A draft copy also is available at the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency office at 2200 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock.

All comments should be directed to Robert Ellsworth, McHenry County EMA, (815) 338-6400; fax (815) 334-4634.

Following the public review period, the draft will be submitted to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and FEMA Region V for a compliance review. Following state and federal approval, the 2016 version of the plan will be adopted.