County updates hazard mitigation plan

As the final stage of adopting the new hazard mitigation plan for the county, Emergency Management Coordinator Ed Robinson has been presenting it for approval to the governmental bodies it will affect.

The Region 1 Hazard Mitigation Plan is, Robinson says, “A plan that is adopted by all of the municipalities and the county every five to seven years.”

As the last adoption was in 2018, the time for renewal has arrived.

The mitigation plan identifies the demographics and characteristics of the county and the major hazards faced here. These include drought, flood, hazardous materials, lightning, severe winter weather, tornadoes and wildfire.

“All of the hazards that we could possibly experience in our area,” Robinson says.

It also provides an overview of the assets in Crook County that could potentially be exposed to the hazards identified, such as an inventory of critical facilities including hospitals and police stations; transportation and lifelines, such as highways and communications facilities; and facilities with high potential loss, such as schools, shelters, power plants and dams.

It also lists historic properties worthy of preservation, such as Ranch A, the Vore Buffalo Jump and the Aladdin store, and the endangered species that must be considered when implementing mitigation strategies.

The hazard mitigation plan provides detail on specific hazards and how they might affect the communities. For example, several dams are located within close proximity to population centers, including Keyhole and Sundance pond.

Over a series of meetings over the last few months, this information has been updated. They are, says Robinson, “Basically the same as they were on the last plan.”

“Based on those, you establish goals,” he continues.

In other words, with the potential hazards outlined in detail, the plan goes on to assess the county’s mitigation capabilities and strategy and sets goals to improve areas of concern.

For example, one goal that was set within the last mitigation plan was to install a generator at the Greater Hulett Community Center, Robinson said, and this has been achieved.

Meanwhile, the recent outage following a storm that left areas of the county without power for several hours was used to inform new goals for the coming years.

As the county’s EMC, Robinson remains the coordinator for all municipalities and the county in the event of a hazard situation.