Want to help the City of Tulsa plan for the next big tornado, giant wind storm, flood or other disaster? The City is updating its local Hazard Mitigation Plan for FEMA and seeks input from residents at a public meeting Tuesday, July 25 on the natural disasters that could affect them.
The public meeting is set for 6-8 p.m. in Centennial Center at Veterans Park, 1028 E. Sixth St. Refreshments will be provided.
FEMA requires local governments to regularly update their Hazard Mitigation Plan as a condition of receiving Federal Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Based on the completion of this planning process, FEMA may provide pre-disaster funding for projects such as flood-proofing buildings, buying land, improving stormwater management facilities, construction of storm shelters and other disaster preparations. Post-disaster funds would also be available, helping the City to recover and rebuild after a natural disaster strikes.
The City’s process to update its current Hazard Mitigation Plan will include several opportunities for public participation, including public meetings, invitations to share stories on past Tulsa disasters, and an online survey to solicit additional input from residents. (Visit: https://bit.ly/TulsaHMPU to access the City’s online survey.)
This public input will be included in a draft plan, which will be available for public comment in spring of 2024.
Tulsa has made tremendous progress on its disaster planning since last updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan, having achieved a CRS Class 1 rating in the National Flood Insurance Program. With this Class 1 rating, residents and property owners within the city limits are eligible for the lowest rates in the nation for flood insurance – a 45 percent discount.
Tulsa’s hazard mitigation planning includes several essential pieces:
According to Gary McCormick, Senior Special Projects Engineer for the City of Tulsa and a member of Tulsa’s Stormwater Drainage and Hazard Mitigation Advisory Board, natural disasters can be costly and traumatizing to a community. But with help from this comprehensive hazard mitigation planning process, residents will have the tools and information they need to reduce the impact and maximize the City’s overall resilience.
“This hazard mitigation planning is an essential part of community planning and ensures Tulsa will have the right infrastructure and emergency procedures in place,” said McCormick. “Residents play a huge part in the process, not only by attending these public meetings to learn about potential disasters but by taking other important steps – download the Tulsa Ready App and make a plan to protect your business. By working together, we can have an enormous impact on the City’s preparedness for any disaster.”
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