Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

The Mid-America Regional Council received funds from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to prepare a Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan for cities and counties in the five Missouri counties of the Kansas City metro area. The plan will assist communities in meeting new federal requirements in order to be eligible to receive federal hazard mitigation grants.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency makes grants available to local communities through state emergency management offices for projects that reduce risks from natural hazards that could result in loss of life or property damage.

These grants have been used in the Kansas City area to purchase properties and remove homes in flood-prone areas and to bury utility lines. To be eligible to receive these federal grants after November 1, 2004, a community must have adopted an approved natural hazard mitigation plan. Local communities are encouraged to review the plan and consider taking official action.

• Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Documents
• Kansas City Metro Area Storm Shelter Plan
• Memo to mayors, county executives and
  emergency managers
• Sample plan adoption resolution (PDF Format)
• Sample plan adoption resoultion (Microsoft Word Format)

Through local input and evaluation of state and local data, eight hazards have been identified as having the greatest potential to impact the Kansas City area: tornadoes and wind storms, river and flash floods, drought, severe winter weather, dam failure, earthquakes, wildfires, and heat waves.

A number of Geographic Information System (GIS) data layers from a new Natural Resource Inventory project are available to local communities to assist in local analysis of natural hazards.

For more information, please contact Erin Lynch, MARC Emergency Services Program Director.

 

New:

Severe Storm Protection Model Ordinance Guidance

A guidance document and model ordinance for communities that are considering the regulation of severe storm protection facilities. Published by the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee in March 2007.