Klickitat County recently adopted a multi-hazard mitigation plan, the first of its kind to be done for the district.
The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires jurisdictions to develop and maintain such plans to remain eligible for certain funds through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA. What it does for the county is multifold, said County Emergency Management Director Jeff King.
King said the 330-page document, prepared in coordination with county and city staff, com- munity partners, and contractor Northwest Management Inc. of Moscow, Idaho outlines potential disaster scenarios, including wild- fires, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mass casualty events, and refines different projects that would help to mitigate disaster, the effects of potential disaster, and recovery efforts. It also makes the county and local jurisdictions eligible for disaster funds through federal programs.