Bellone Calls for Public Comment on Suffolk County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan

(Hauppauge, NY-February 24, 2014)  Suffolk County is required by federal law to update its Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years in order to remain eligible to receive grant funding for projects to reduce our risk to natural disasters. This plan acts as a guidebook for all major potential vulnerabilities to hazards in Suffolk County – including structures, flood zones, critical infrastructure and other municipal assets – as well as to identify for activities that can mitigate damages and provide or protection them from hazards.

County Executive Bellone stated, “When completed, the update to this plan will help save lives, and protect property, reduce risks, lessen the impacts of future disasters, and make Suffolk County more resilient for future weather events.”

Suffolk County is working with every municipality in the county, Native American Nations, non-profits organizations and various private sector agencies, including PSEG LI and the Suffolk County Water Authority, to prepare and submit an update to the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan to New York State and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)

Input from residents during the plan development process on this plan, on steps that should be taken to protect lives and property from future disasters and mitigate the impact of them, will be a key element toward building safer communities throughout Suffolk County.

Members of the public can provide their feedback by just taking several minutes to answer questions in an online survey at http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/respond. All public comments must be submitted by March 7, 2014.