(Atlanta) — The Hazard Mitigation Division of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is pleased to announce that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plans for all 159 counties in Georgia.  The Hazard Mitigation Planning Team has been providing technical assistance to counties throughout the state to develop hazard mitigation plans since 2002.  Counties are required by the Federal Government to have an approved Hazard Mitigation plan in place in order to be eligible to receive grant funding for mitigation projects. FEMA requires that all local plans be updated and recertified every five years.

“We would like to commend all the counties, municipalities and participants throughout the state, who took part in the development of each county Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.” Said Charley English, GEMA Director.  “The approval of these plans allows each county to apply for grant assistance and will help reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.”

The average development time for a county plan is approximately 2 to 3 years.  Plans are in-depth and cover all types of natural hazards that could befall an individual county. The development of hazard mitigation plans allows counties to identify and prioritize mitigation projects. These projects have saved the counties untold dollars in reduced disaster claims.

Hazard Mitigation is basically any sustained action taken by state or local governments to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to its citizens and property from natural hazards.  Examples of mitigation projects include warning and communication improvements, construction of safe rooms, storm water management improvements, property acquisition and structure elevations of flood prone properties, and wind retrofits. 

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