Jackson County is updating its multi-jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). As part of the update, the County will engage state and local leaders, along with other community members and stakeholders to help identify natural hazards and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of natural disasters.
This NHMP update project website will provide frequent updates on the progress of the update process and provide opportunities for community input.
PLAN OVERVIEW
The NHMP is a framework that guides decision-making and policy development around the reduction or elimination of risk to life and property resulting from drought, earthquake, emerging infectious diseases, flood, landslide, wildfire, windstorm, and winter storm events. With this update, Jackson County will also examine extreme heat events and poor air quality events. The NHMP assesses Jackson County’s vulnerability and identifies specific actions and strategies to address threats.
This NHMP update will engage state and local partners to understand risks from natural hazards and develop long-term strategies to reduce the impacts of disasters on people, property, and the environment. The NHMP update will address natural hazards impacts in unincorporated areas of the County, special districts, and 9 incorporated cities—Ashland, Butte Falls, Central Point, Eagle Point, Jacksonville, Phoenix, Rogue River, Shady Cove, and Talent. Medford has a stand-alone NHMP, which is available on the City of Medford’s website.
NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING
Natural disasters occur when natural hazard events greatly impact people, structures, and the environment. The ever-increasing costs associated with natural disasters over the past decades have heightened interest in identifying and implementing effective means of reducing these impacts.
Natural hazards mitigation planning is a process for identifying and understanding the hazards facing a jurisdiction and prioritizing actions the jurisdiction can take to reduce injuries and deaths; damage to buildings, critical facilities, and infrastructure; interruption in essential services; economic hardship; and environmental harm. Reducing impacts also speeds up recovery and lowers its cost.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approves NHMPs that meet federal requirements at 44 CFR 201. Having a current, FEMA-approved NHMP establishes eligibility for certain FEMA grants that fund natural hazards mitigation planning and projects. Approval lasts five years. Jackson County’s current NHMP is valid through July 2, 2023.
PROJECT TIMELINE
- Kickoff Steering Committee Meeting #1 – October 28, 2022
- Steering Committee Meeting #2 – November 30, 2022
- Steering Committee Meeting #3 – February 3, 2023
- Individual Meetings with Participating Jurisdictions (Cities and Special Districts) – February/March 2023
- Steering Committee Meeting #4 – February/March 2023 (TBD)
- Review Copy Made Available for Public Comment – March 17, 2023
- Local Adoption – Summer 2023
Contact Us
Delaney Huerta, Assistant Emergency Manager