EFFINGHAM, ILL. — The frequency of and damages caused by severe storms and other natural and man-made hazards in Effingham County will be discussed when the Effingham County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee meets at the Effingham County Emergency Operations Center, 311 West Miracle Ave., in Effingham, at 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 14.
This Committee, comprised of County, township, municipal, school district, healthcare, utilities, and emergency services representatives, as well as technical partners and other stakeholders, will continue to meet over the next several months to update the Effingham County All Hazards Mitigation Plan. Committee meetings are open to the public.
“The goal of this committee meeting is to identify how often severe weather events occur within the County and what kinds of damages have resulted. Based on this information we will compile lists of activities and projects to reduce damages caused by these events,” said Effingham County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Pamela Jacobs.
The focus of this effort is on natural hazards — severe thunderstorms with damaging winds or hail, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, floods, drought, extreme cold, and excessive heat. Interested persons can provide input at these Planning Committee meetings or submit their comments and questions to their municipal or county representatives.
Participants to date include the County, nine municipalities, four townships, five school districts, five fire protection districts, HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Rural Med EMS, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health System, EJ Water Cooperative, and Southwestern Electric Cooperative, Inc. Jurisdictions that have yet to participate in a committee meeting are encouraged to attend.
“This Plan will be our best resource for determining how to mitigate damages before storms and other natural and man-made hazards occur. After the Plan is updated, comprehensive information will be available in one document to help guide those who are making decisions about how to better protect Effingham County residents,” added Jacobs.