ATLANTA — The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) announced today the approval of the Burke County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The plan is approved for a period of five years and focuses on developing a strategy to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to its citizens and property from natural hazards. 

”I would like to commend Burke County and all the participants who took part in the development of the Burke County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan,” said Charley English, GEMA Director. “With this approval, Burke County is now an eligible applicant for hazard mitigation assistance grants to implement activities identified in their plan.  These activities will help reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of natural disasters.”

Examples of mitigation activities that can be funded through hazard mitigation assistance grants include the purchase or development of warning systems, construction of safe rooms, property acquisition of flood prone structures, storm water management improvements, retrofitting methods such as elevation, relocation, or structural reinforcement, and the development or update of mitigation plans. 

The approval of this Hazard Mitigation Plan brings the total number of approved local plans to 144 of the 159 counties in the State.  Currently, the approved plans cover approximately 9.2 million people or 96% of the states’ population. 

For more information on Georgia Hazard Mitigation plans or the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, call GEMA toll-free at 1-800-TRY-GEMA or visit www.gema.ga.gov 

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Post Office Box 18055 - Atlanta, Georgia 30316-0055
Phone (404) 635-7000 or toll-free in Georgia 1-800-TRY-GEMA - Fax (404)635-7205
www.gema.ga.gov
www.ready.ga.gov
www.georgia911.org