2022 Update - Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan

Douglas County is updating its Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP). As part of the update, the County will engage community members and local stakeholders, along with state, local and tribal leaders, to help identify natural hazards and develop strategies to reduce the impacts of natural disasters. All 12 incorporated cities in Douglas County will participate and co-adopt the plan.

Provide your input today! 

A draft of the Risk Assessment is available for public review and comment. The risk assessment evaluates our community’s vulnerability to natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, wildfires, etc. It helps us understand potential impacts, prioritize actions, and create a plan that safeguards our homes, infrastructure, and environment.

Follow this link to review the document: Draft Risk Assessment

Follow this link to provide comment:  Feedback Form. 

The update is being performed in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (ODEM), utilizing funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. With re-adoption of the plan, Douglas County and its participating jurisdictions will maintain its eligibility to apply for federal funding towards natural hazard mitigation projects.

PLAN OVERVIEW

The NHMP is a framework that guides decision-making and policy development around the reduction or elimination of risk to life and property resulting from drought, earthquake, flood, landslide, tsunami, wildfire, windstorm, and winter storm events. The Plan assesses our vulnerability and identifies specific actions and strategies to address threats. 

This important work includes a Hazard Analysis prepared by the University of Oregon's Institute for Policy Research & Engagement (IPRE), completed in February 2023. A copy of this document can be found at the bottom of this page.

This NHMP update will engage state and local partners to understand risks from natural hazards and develop long-term strategies to reduce the impacts of disasters on people, property, and the environment. The NHMP addresses natural hazards impacts in unincorporated areas of the County and all 12 incorporated cities -- Canyonville, Drain, Elkton, Glendale, Myrtle Creek, Oakland, Reedsport, Riddle, Roseburg, Sutherlin, Winston, and Yoncalla. 

NATURAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING

Natural disasters occur when natural hazard events greatly impact people, structures, and the environment. The ever increasing costs associated with natural disasters over the past decades have heightened interest in identifying and implementing effective means of reducing these impacts. 

Natural hazards mitigation planning is a process for identifying and understanding the hazards facing a jurisdiction and prioritizing actions the jurisdiction can take to reduce injuries and deaths; damage to buildings, critical facilities, and infrastructure; interruption in essential services; economic hardship; and environmental harm. Reducing impacts also speeds up recovery and lowers its cost. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approves NHMPs that meet federal requirements at 44 CFR 201. Having a current, FEMA-approved NHMP establishes eligibility for certain FEMA grants that fund natural hazards mitigation planning and projects. Approval lasts five years. Douglas County’s current NHMP is valid through September 12, 2022. 

PROJECT TIMELINE

• 2022 Update Kickoff  Steering Committee Meeting #1 - March 2, 2022
• 2022 Update Steering Committee Meeting #2 - June 21, 2022
• 2022 Update Steering Committee Meeting #3 - October 19, 2022
• 2022 Update Steering Committee Meeting #4 - March 22, 2023
• 2022 Update Steering Committee Meeting #5 - June 20, 2023
• 2022 Update Steering Committee Meeting #6 - August 15, 2023 (Upcoming)
• 2022 Update Steering Committee Meeting #7 - October 10, 2023 (Upcoming)