| What is the Local Mitigation
Strategy, or LMS? The Local Mitigation Strategy is a hazard
mitigation planning tool designed to promote mitigation efforts. This
plan is intended will reduce susceptibility to damage or economic loss
resulting from natural hazards such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes,
wildfires etc. For those of you who are unaware, both state and local
jurisdictions are required to have FEMA approved Local Mitigation
Strategy (LMS) plans in order to be eligible for project grants; these
include but are not limited to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program.
How did the Okeechobee LMS start?
In 2005 Okeechobee County and the City of Okeechobee adopted
the original Local Mitigation Strategy Plan. It is a collaborative
effort between government agencies, private businesses and citizens in
the county to reduce our overall risk and prevent future losses. FEMA
requirements specify that every jurisdiction review and revise their
Local Mitigation Strategy Plans every five years in order to reflect
changes in development, progress in local mitigation efforts, and
changes in certain project priorities.
What is the future of
the Okeechobee LMS?
Over the next three months the Local Mitigation Strategy Workgroup will
conduct two Local Mitigation Strategy meetings. We will discuss future
mitigation projects designed to reduce or eliminate the long-term risks
the people and property located in Okeechobee County and the City of
Okeechobee face from hazards and their effects. The overall goal of
updating the Local Mitigation Strategy is to ensure that the Okeechobee
area is less vulnerable when a natural hazard event occurs and to
increase its capacity for recovery.
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