Harrison County Hazard Mitigation Plan (2025 Draft)

From the plan

The purpose of hazard mitigation is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards. Harrison County and participating jurisdictions and school/special districts developed this multi-jurisdictional local hazard mitigation plan update to reduce future losses from hazard events to the County and its communities and school/special districts. This plan is an update of the previous plan that was approved by FEMA on May 3, 2021. The plan and the update were prepared pursuant to the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to result in eligibility for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Programs. The Harrison County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan that covers the following jurisdictions that participated in the planning process: • Unincorporated Harrison County • City of Bethany • Village of Blythedale • City of Cainsville • Village of Eagleville • City of Gilman City • City of New Hampton • City of Ridgeway • North Harrison R-III • Ridgeway R-V • South Harrison Co. R-II The Cainsville R-I School District and Gilman City R-IV were invited to participate in the planning process but did not meet all the established requirements for official participation. When the future five-year update is developed for this plan, these school districts will be invited again to participate. Harrison County and the participating jurisdictions above followed a plan update process using a methodology in accordance with FEMA guidance, which began with the formation of a Mitigation Planning Committee (MPC) comprised of representatives from Harrison County and participating jurisdictions. The MPC updated the risk assessment that identified and profiled hazards that pose a risk to Harrison County and analyzed jurisdictional vulnerability to these hazards. The MPC also examined the capabilities in place to mitigate the hazard damages, with emphasis on changes that have occurred since the previously approved plan was adopted. The MPC determined that the planning area is vulnerable to several hazards that are identified, profiled, and analyzed in this plan. Riverine and flash flooding, winter storms, severe thunderstorms (hail, lightning, high winds), and tornados are among the hazards that historically have had a significant impact. Based upon the risk assessment, the MPC updated goals for reducing risk from hazards. The goals are listed below: •

Goal 2: Minimize property damage due to flooding, levee failure, and dam failure; including high hazard potential dams (HHPD). Goal 3: Minimize the impact to natural and human resources caused by drought, extreme temperatures, and wildfire. Goal 4: Maintain public services, protect life, and minimize the risk of property damage caused by severe winter weather. Goal 5: Minimize injuries and property damage due to seismic and/or geological events.

Participating jurisdictions

Unincorporated Harrison County
City of Bethany
Village of Blythedale
City of Cainsville
Village of Eagleville
City of Gilman City
City of New Hampton
City of Ridgeway
North Harrison R-III
Ridgeway R-V
South Harrison Co. R-II

Executive Summary page 4
Prerequisites page 38
1 Introduction and Planning Process
2 Planning Area Profile and Capabilities page 40
3 Risk Assessment page 93
4 Mitigation Strategy page 213
5 Plan Maintenance Process page 312
Appendix A: Sources page 319
Appendix B: Planning Process Documentation page 322
Appendix C: Questionnaires, Survey Results, Public Comment, and STAPLEE Worksheets page 357
Appendix D: List of Critical Facilities (Redacted from Public Version) page 652
Appendix E: Resolutions of Adoption page 655

From the plan

Participating jurisdictions

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