Public Input Wanted as Blue Earth County Updates Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires counties to update their plan every 5 years to maintain eligibility for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. The Blue Earth County Emergency Management Office is working with U-Spatial at the University of Minnesota Duluth to update the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).

Blue Earth County residents, community leaders, business owners, area agencies and organizations now have an opportunity to share how severe weather events impact their property and lives. There is also an opportunity to share mitigation ideas on how to reduce future disaster impacts.

The plan assesses the natural hazards that pose risk to the county, such as tornadoes, straight line winds, ice storms, blizzards, wildfire, flooding, and extreme temperatures and identifies ways to minimize the damage of future events. As the county works to update the plan, it wants to hear from the public.

“Hazard mitigation planning is a central part of our emergency management program,” said Eric Weller, Blue Earth County Emergency Management Director.  “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.”

Public input is an essential part of the plan update. As part of the planning process, Blue Earth County is seeking feedback from residents and businesses to incorporate into the plan.   Residents are urged to visit the Blue Earth County website to learn more about what is covered in the plan and provide comments, concerns, and questions regarding natural disasters and ideas for mitigation projects.  www.blueearthcountymn.gov/hazardmitigation  Comments will be accepted through August 15, 2025.

For more information, contact Blue Earth County Emergency Management at (507) 304-4797.