Iroquois Countywide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

 

…WILL PROTECT LIFE, PROPERTY AND THE ENVIROMENT THROUGH COORDINATION AND COOPERATION AMONG STAKEHOLDERS, REDUCE RISK AND LOSS, AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

 

Kickoff Meeting

Mitigation Planning Meeting

Information Request

 

Iroquois County continues to proactively pursue hazard mitigation activities.  The County is actively coordinating with several agencies to develop a Countywide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

 

The Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will serve to identify and assess areas at risk to flooding, tornados, drought, earthquakes and other severe storms including ice and snow.  This effort is administered by the County's Emergency Services Department and is steered by a representative committee consisting of local and state emergency managers, first responders, planning officials and other public and private business management professionals.  These stakeholders will help assess local vulnerability to natural hazards while prioritizing alternatives and future projects for mitigating these risks.  The public will have multiple opportunities to contribute to this effort thus making the plan that much better.

 

The plan will cover the entire County and incorporated jurisdictions. The County will assess all natural hazards identified in the State's Hazard Mitigation Plan in addition to transportation corridor analysis to be performed along major interstates and railroads. Historically, flooding has proven to be of major concern throughout the County and particularly, within the City of Watseka. The Iroquois River and Sugar Creek are very flood prone and regularly produce flood damage, most recently the source of Iroquois County’s flood disaster declaration.  The plan’s intent is to assess flooding and other sources of hazards in relationship to the County’s assets, critical infrastructure and population. The result will enable each community to better identify its relative risk and identify the mitigation activities that will ultimately reduce exposure to this risk. 

 

This multi-hazard mitigation plan is a major step toward recognizing and reducing risk throughout the County.  It is also a requirement to qualify for federal hazard mitigation funding.  These funds may be used to help pay for projects intended to reduce local exposure to loss of life or damage of property.  Examples of projects that qualify for federal funding include structure acquisition, flood proofing and more.

 

A brief survey has been developed to collect information from the community.  By completeing this survey you will be providing vital information and a local perspective about the county.  These data will help tailor the plan to meet the specific needs of the county.  Take the survey

 

For Additional Information Please Contact:
Carl Gerdovich, Plan Coordinator
cgesda@co.iroquois.il.us (815) 432-6997

550 South 10th Street

Watseka, IL 60970