SE Twin Cities

The Le Sueur County Office of Emergency Management is reaching out to the community for feedback on its five-year multi-hazard mitigation plan update that helps fight against the impacts of natural disasters.

The county will be working with multiple jurisdiction planning teams from county departments, school districts, local municipalities and key stake holders, as well as U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota Duluth to update the MHMP plan, which is designed to minimize the economic and physical damages caused by tornadoes, floods, wildfires and many other natural disasters that hit the area within a year. 

“Hazard mitigation planning is a central part of our emergency management program,” Ann Traxler, Le Sueur County Emergency Management Director, said according to KEYC News now. “Understanding the natural hazards that can cause serious impact to our communities and taking action to reduce or eliminate the impact of future disasters makes us more resilient. Hazard mitigation helps us to break the cycle of damage and repair caused by things like flooding, ice storms, and severe wind events that can damage property, stress economies, and threaten life safety in our county.”

Hazard mitigation is, but not limited to, the improvement of roads that flood, tornado protection in state parks, campgrounds, mobile parks, etc., replacing and burning power lines in areas that they are affected by inclement weather like freezing. If residents have comments or concerns on what types of natural hazards pose the greatest threat, previous experience with natural disasters, and any concerns or ideas that could assist the plan in better management of these projects, they can be submitted to the Le Sueur County Office of Emergency Management. They can be reached by phone at (507) 357-8394 or emailing Director Ann Traxler directly at atraxler@co.le-sueur.mn.us. 

There will opportunity for public feedback and review prior to the completion of the plan. Over 2,000 counties will be involved in the plan update, which is required to be reviewed and updated every five years to maintain the areas FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs eligibility. 

Check the Le Sueur County Emergency Management website to stay up to date with progress and solutions across the state.