County seeks public input on hazard mitigation plan
By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
Coryell County officials are looking for input from county residents on the upcoming hazard mitigation plan, also known as an HMP. An HMP is crafted from public input and is updated every five years. Having a plan in place will help the county to qualify for funding from agencies such as FEMA, in the event it faces a natural or other disaster.
Coryell County is working with Natural Resources Solutions to complete the HMP.
According to NRS, an HMP identifies risks from natural hazards and includes strategies to reduce the impacts of those risks to people, property, and the local environment.
Right now, Coryell County does not have an HMP.
There are four upcoming public meetings to help educate residents about hazard mitigation plans and give residents a chance to share their input.
The meeting in Copperas Cove is coming up on Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Copperas Cove city council chambers, located at 508 S. 2nd. St.
Other public meetings include Wednesday, Jan. 18, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Gatesville City Auditorium (110 N. 8th St.); Jan. 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Evant City Hall (598 W. Hwy. 84); and Thursday, Jan. 26, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oglesby Community Center (118 Main St.).
There is an executive committee for HMP planning, to include Coryell County Judge Roger Miller, as well as one representative each from Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Evant, and Oglesby.
However, public input is needed at this time for the plan, and a survey is now live online, as of Jan. 12.
Input can be information about local natural hazards, residents’ level of concern, possible future hazards, as well as giving the county ideas on how to address those risks.
The online survey link, now live, can be found at https://s.surveyplanet.com/qyobvfqy/. The county's website for the HMP can be found at http://www.coryellcountyhmp.com/.
For more information, please contact NRS Project Manager Madelyn Todd at (512) 478-1003. Visit