MANATEE COUNTY, FL (Oct. 29, 2019) – Manatee County is seeking public comment on its updated Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS), a plan for how to proactively prepare for and handle disasters and emergencies in the community.
The LMS is a multi-jurisdictional plan to reduce or eliminate the risks associated with natural or manmade hazards within a County, including flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, hazardous materials, dam failures, terrorism, power outages and other emergencies that could affect the community.
The LMS planning process is used to set short and long-term mitigation goals and objectives for the County, as well as its cities. Hazards affecting the community are identified, vulnerability to the hazards are assessed, and through a collaborative effort, consensus is reached on how to minimize the effects of the hazards.
After the President declares a disaster, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds are made available for hazard mitigation projects. The LMS guides the allocation of those funds to various projects.
The LMS is currently under a 5-year update, which began in May 2019 and will continue through January 2020. As part of the 5-year update, officials are looking for public involvement in the form of online public comment.
A draft copy of the LMS 2019 Update is available online now at www.mymanatee.org/hazard. The public can submit comments in the form of suggested revisions, deletions or corrections through November 21.
Comments can be submitted through the online form or sent in writing via email at [email protected] or via mail to:
Nicole Knapp, Emergency Management Planning Manager
Public Safety Department
P.O. Box 1000
Bradenton, FL 34206
Additional questions can be directed to Nicole Knapp at 941-749-3500 Ext. 7824.
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.