County and cities plan for natural disasters

Maricopa is no stranger to natural disaster, particularly flooding. Waters rose in 2005 and 2006, and the entire area south of the tracks was under water in both 1983 and 1990. Pinal County is partnering with the city to develop a long-term strategy for protection in case natural disaster hits.

The key for hazard mitigation planning involves identifying the risks and vulnerabilities posed to both Maricopa and Pinal County residents and their property when it comes to natural disasters.

When the process is completed, a plan will be in place that will provide a framework for developing projects that will break the costly cycle of dealing with the same damage from the same disaster repeatedly.

“In the long run, this planning will save the county taxpayers money,” said Emergency Management Director Pete Weaver. “Simply put, the planning is designed to find our risks and eliminate or reduce those risks. If we can put money into flood control for a certain area and in the process save someone’s home, then this will be worth it.

“This plan will take our entire region’s emergency management to the next level of disaster planning. I am confident our partnership will result in a more comprehensive plan to handle what Mother Nature may throw at us.”

Under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), state, county, local and tribal governments are required to develop a FEMA approved hazard mitigation plan every five years as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance. The 2005 plan, which is set to expire in November 2010, must now be updated and revised.

“We are in the process of developing the plan with our incorporated municipalities,” Weaver stated. “We have officials from local public safety agencies, planning and health departments all providing input to the plan.”

The primary areas of focus in the plan development are:

· Identification of hazards that may impact or have impacted the community
· Developing a profile of the most relevant hazards
· Assessing vulnerability to hazards
· Establishing goals and objectives for hazard risk reduction/elimination
· Developing actions/projects to achieve goals and objectives

If you would like to know more about the hazard mitigation plan, contact Pinal County Emergency Services at 520-866-6415.

Photo by Joyce Hollis