October 16, 2017
It is time to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan, needs input from a wide area of the population to be effective.
Hazard Mitigation is defined as as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from hazard events. It is an on-going process that occurs before, during, and after disasters and serves to break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas.
Hazard Mitigation is quite often mentioned in the field of emergency management. Don’t be intimidated by the word. It is nothing more than taking steps to reduce risk of injury to people or property.
Making sure that your lawn furniture doesn’t take flight during a summer storm and hit someone is a mitigation measure. It’s windy in Cavalier County, hence the Wind Farm! Those light lawn chairs, tables and garbage lids can become dangerous, fly, hit and injure someone or cause an accident.
Mitigation is your sump pump, it keeps your house from flooding as long as you have power. A generator is another mitigation measure, keeps that sump pump running when the power goes out.
Clearing culverts, drains, etc in an agricultural setting can keep roads from flooding, another mitigation measure. Keeps the roads in better shape, driving safer, and may keep water from backing up into someones buildings.
Mitigation can be so simple. Can you think of ideas for your own Hazard Mitigation Plan.