CRAIGHEAD COUNTY HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
Hazard mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency management. It is defined as any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from a hazard event. Mitigation encourages long term reduction of hazard vulnerability. The goal of mitigation is to save lives and reduce property damage.
The purpose of the Craighead County Hazard Mitigation Plan is to provide guidance for hazard mitigation activities in Craighead County. The Craighead County Office of Emergency Management has the responsibility to coordinate all local activities relating to hazard evaluation and mitigation and to prepare and submit to FEMA a Local Mitigation Plan following the criteria established in 44 CFR 201.4 and Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390). The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 became law on October 30, 2000 and amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the “Stafford Act”) (Public Law 93-288, as amended).Regulations for this activity can be found in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 206, Subpart M.
This plan meets requirements for a local mitigation plan under Interim Final Rule 44 CFR 201.4, published in the Federal Register by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on February 28, 2002. Meeting the requirements of the regulations cited above keeps Craighead County qualified to obtain all disaster assistance including hazard mitigation grants available through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, P.L. 93-288, as amended.
The Goals of the Hazard Mitigation Plan are:
Goal 1: Reduce the potential for loss of life, injury and economic damage created by exposure to natural hazards for residents of Craighead County due to natural disasters.
Goal 2: Provide a framework and coordination to encourage all levels of government and public and private organizations to undertake mitigation to minimize potential disasters and to employ mitigation in recovery following disasters.
Goal 3: Seek grants for mitigation projects through State and Federal funding.
Goal 4: Protect existing properties from natural disasters.
Jurisdictions and Organizations Participating in the Hazard Mitigation Plan:
| Arkansas State University | City of Bay |
| Bay School District | City of Black Oak |
| Blessed Sacrament School | City of Bono |
| City of Brookland | Brookland School District |
| Buffalo Island Central District | City of Caraway |
| City of Cash | Craighead County |
| Craighead Electric Cooperative | City of Egypt |
| City of Jonesboro | Jonesboro City Water & Light |
| Jonesboro School District | City of Lake City |
| City of Monette | Nettleton School District |
| Ridgefield Christian School | Riverside School District |
| Valley View School District | Westside School District |