Camden County adopts 2026 FEMA-required hazard mitigation plan to preserve grant eligibility

Camden County commissioners voted to adopt the county’s 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, a five-year update county staff said is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to remain eligible for mitigation grant programs.

County staff member Chuck presented the plan and told the board the update “reflects current risk, development patterns, infrastructure, and stakeholder input across multiple jurisdictions” and that adoption “does not obligate immediate expenditures, but positions the county to compete for significant federal funding opportunities.” The plan, staff said, identifies countywide risks including coastal storm surge, flooding, wildfire, severe weather and man-made incidents such as cyber attacks and terrorism, and proposes prioritized mitigation strategies.

Commissioner [S7] moved to adopt the plan; Commissioner [S4] seconded the motion, which passed by voice vote. Commissioners who spoke praised staff work; Chuck received public thanks from board members after the vote.

Adoption is procedural but consequential: staff emphasized that staying current with FEMA’s five-year requirement preserves access to hazard-mitigation grants. The board did not commit county funds as part of the vote; staff said specific projects and expenditures would be presented separately if and when funding opportunities or prioritized projects proceed.

Next steps: staff will maintain the FEMA-approved plan and make the county eligible to apply for mitigation grants tied to the updated assessment and priorities.