Haz Mit plan survey needs public response

BY CONNIE CLEMENTS

Examiner reporter

Grimes County residents received a status report on the update to the Grimes County Hazard Mitigation Plan Thursday, Aug. 11, at the Navasota Center. Hosting the public meeting were Grimes County Emergency Management Coordinator David Lilly and Shane Porter, Project Director with Atkins North America, Inc. The County’s original hazard mitigation plan expired in 2018 and work began January 2022 to draft a new one. Porter said, “We’re in the process of making sure it’s as updated as it can be. But also, what that allows for is for Grimes County to maintain its eligibility for funding. That trickles down to jurisdictions that are affiliated with the plan as well.” Since January, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee which consists of representatives from the County, incorporated cities, school districts, businesses, hospitals and various non-profits have met to address risk and capability assessment, mitigation strategy and an action plan as well as plan maintenance. Porter reviewed the project goals which include identifying potential projects that could help mitigate natural disasters, educating and informing citizens about what the plan is about, and complying with state and federal regulations to be eligible for grant funding.

Each of the cities will adopt a plan and be either a subrecipient or jointly apply for grants with Grimes County. The County plan is on track for submission to the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) no later than December 2022.

Trains and chemical hazards

Responding to a Navasota resident’s question about man-made hazards such as train accidents, Porter said, “For the purposes of funding, a lot of the funding that’s available is for natural hazards, not necessarily a rail car accident.” Lilly said that a Commodity Flow Study of hazardous materials coming through the County was conducted in 2016 and that another may be forthcoming.

He said, “We want to do another one to see if there have been any changes since the first one. We’ve built our foundation and we want to see if there are new hazards or new types of chemicals coming through, or an increased or decreased amount.” Lilly added that a table- top train derailment exercise will be conducted late August, and a fullscale exercise with all first responders is scheduled for early 2023.

Survey response needed!

Grimes County residents have been able to offer input into the planning process since January by completing the Public Participation Survey for Hazard Mitigation Planning. According to Lilly, of the 28,000-plus possible participants, the goal was 200-300 responses but todate, only 70 surveys have been received. The 15-question survey allows residents to identify the hazards which posed the greatest threat to their neighborhood, such as wildfires, hurricanes or tornadoes. It also gives residents the opportunity to share the most effective way to receive information about how to make a home or neighborhood more resistant to hazards.

There is still time for residents to complete the survey which may be obtained at www.grimescountytexas. gov by clicking on “Grimes County Hazard Mitigation Public Survey Link,” or by scanning the QR code below which goes directly to the survey.