Hazard Mitigation Teams Study Ways To Reduce Future Disaster
Findings Will Affect Distribution of as much as $900,000 in Grant Funds
Release Date: April 29, 2002
Release Number: R10-02-44
Salem, OR -- A federal/state hazard mitigation survey team and the Governor's Interagency Hazard Mitigation team are making a detailed study of six counties hit by the Feb. 7 windstorm to identify opportunities to reduce the impact of future windstorm disasters. The findings will influence the allocation of nearly one million dollars in federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds.
"Oregon is committed to helping communities reduce the impact of future disasters and minimize the hardships that result from them,' said Abby Kershaw, state coordinating officer for disaster recovery. "FEMA is a partner agency in helping us to promote our mitigation plan."
The two teams will host a mitigation strategy workshop on May 3 for representatives of local governments and certain private non-profit entities affected by the windstorm in the hard hit counties of Benton, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Lane and Linn.
"The workshop will be a multi-purpose forum for reviewing mitigation successes, exchanging mitigation ideas, educating local governments on the process of preparing a local hazard mitigation plan, and helping eligible applicants identify mitigation projects for HMGP funds," said State Mitigation Officer Dennis Sigrist.
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program takes a serious look at problems caused by disasters, and funds projects designed to minimize future risk and losses. The federal government pays for 75 percent of the grants, and 25 percent is a non-federal share.
"The HMGP dollars are awarded on a competitive basis and the workshop will be the first chance for eligible applicants to apply," Kershaw said. "Mitigation project priorities for this disaster will emphasize measures that reduce losses associated with the wind hazard."
The location and agenda for the workshop is as follows:
| 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. | Governor's Interagency Mitigation Team meeting |
| 9:30 to 10 a.m. | Registration for Hazard Mitigation Survey meeting |
| 10 a.m. to noon | FEMA/State Hazard Mitigation Survey Team meeting |
| 1 to 3 p.m. | Applicants' Notice of Intent and Application for HMGP funds |
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 16:36:45