Scott County is tackling the demand for enhanced disaster preparedness by updating its Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, and it wants to hear from you, the public. Well aware of the myriad of natural threats that loom – tornadoes to droughts, and those notorious ice storms – this plan is not just a bureaucratic gesture. It's about real people and real potential losses, both human and economic.
Mark the calendar: April 1, and no, this isn't a joke. Community members are summoned to the Scott County Government Center West to make their voices heard from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eyes and ears will be open to the wisdom of locals who'll share firsthand disaster encounters, raise their concerns, and propose how to soften the blows of nature's wrath. But clear the schedule to get there; input like this can't be done with a mere drive-by submission. Located at 200 Fourth Avenue West, Shakopee, Minnesota, in Rooms 166/167, the meeting promises to be the county's grounds for preparedness.
In a statement released by the Scott County website, Luke Hennen, Scott County Sheriff, said, "Understanding the hazards that impact our community and taking proactive steps to mitigate them is key to building resilience." Indeed, being disaster-ready can be the difference between swift recovery and prolonged suffering. The updated plan, driven by inputs from county departments, municipalities, and schools, is also the golden ticket to retaining eligibility for federal disaster mitigation funds – money that can buttress the community against future calamities.
If for some reason, attending seems like a distant possibility, your virtual self can still partake. Residents are invited to send their crucial feedback to Bob Lane, the Deputy Emergency Management Director, either through an email at [email protected] or by calling 952-496-8181. Taking the time to reach out means adding a stone to the robust foundations of communal safety. A draft of the efforts put into the plan will soon be available on the County website for public scrutiny before it gets shipped off to the State of Minnesota for approval.
