Jefferson County EMA urges Clay to adopt Division G hazard-mitigation plan to qualify for federal funds

Grant Hickman, representing Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency, told the Clay mayor and council the city needs to adopt the Division G Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) resolution so it can access federal hazard-mitigation funds should a federally declared disaster occur.

Hickman said the Division G plan covers roughly 70 jurisdictions across several counties east of Jefferson County and is updated every five years. “The plan is roughly a 2,000-page plan,” he said, and it addresses hazards such as floods and tornadoes and lists mitigation steps jurisdictions can take.

Adoption of the resolution, Hickman said, would allow Clay both to receive federal hazard-mitigation funds after a qualifying disaster and to apply for federal hazard-mitigation grants. A council member asked whether Clay must read the full document; Hickman replied that the plan is organized by division and that the Jefferson County section is the portion that pertains to Clay.

The mayor said the HMP resolution will be placed on the council’s agenda for the June 9 meeting for formal consideration. No vote was taken at this meeting.

Why it matters: Local adoption of a FEMA-aligned hazard-mitigation plan is typically a prerequisite for municipalities to be eligible for post-disaster mitigation funding and for competitive grant programs. For Clay, that could affect access to federal dollars after severe storms or other declared disasters.

What’s next: The council will consider the Division G HMP resolution on its June 9 agenda; Hickman indicated signatures and local coordination would follow if the council approves the measure.