Mitchell County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

Public Survey

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires all states and local governments to have up-to-date hazard mitigation plans prepared and approved in order to maintain eligibility for certain FEMA funding assistance. Mitigation planning is the process of identifying hazards to which jurisdictions are at risk as well as developing actions that will reduce or prevent damages from those hazards.

Mitchell County's Emergency Management Agency is currently developing an update to the 2014 Mitchell County Mulit-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan with assistance from the North Iowa Area Council of Governments (NIACOG). The overall strategy of the Plan is to reduce the vulnerability of people and property in the planning area to the impacts of hazards.

One of the key components of a hazard mitigation plan is public input during the planning process. Public input from a jurisdiction must be conducted and shown within the Multi-Jurisdictional Plan in order for that jurisdiction to continue to be eligible for certain FEMA hazard mitigation funding. For this public input, the County's Emergency Management is seeking your input on the types of activities that should be considered to reduce future impacts from hazards. Your comments will be considered by your jurisdiction's representatives as the Plan is developed.

Please take a few moments to complete the following as soon as possible. Consider the following when providing your opinion:

- Social: Will the action be acceptable to the community? Could it have an unfair effect on a particular segment of the population?

- Technical: Is the action technically feasible? Are there secondary impacts? Does it offer a long-term solution?

- Administrative: Are there adequate staffing, funding, and maintenance capabilities to implement the project?

- Political: Will there be adequate political and public support for the project?

- Legal: Does your jurisdiction have the legal authority to implement the action?

- Economic: Is the action cost-beneficial? Is there funding available? Will the action contribute to the local economy?

- Environmental: Will there be negative environmental consequences from the action? Does it comply with environmental regulations? Is it consistent with community environmental goals?

A public meeting to discuss the survey results for your community will be scheduled at a later date. Thank you for your participation.

Contact Kris Olson, Mitchell County Emergency Management Coordinator, at (641) 732-5872 or ema@mitchellcoia.us with any questions or comments.

Question Title

* 1. Please select your jurisdiction from the list below. Only one jurisdiction can be selected for each survey. If you would like to represent more than one jurisdiction in this list, please complete multiple surveys.

Unincorporated Mitchell County

City of Osage

City of St. Ansgar

City of Riceville

City of Stacyville

City of Mitchell

City of McIntire

City of Carpenter

City of Orchard

Osage Community School District

St. Ansgar Community School District

Riceville Community School District

Question Title

* 2. FLOODING: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each flooding mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing flood damage:

Question Title

* 3. HAIL: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each hail mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Locate safe rooms near houses to prevent hail-induced injuries	Locate safe rooms near houses to prevent hail-induced injuries High Priority	Locate safe rooms near houses to prevent hail-induced injuries Moderate Priority	Locate safe rooms near houses to prevent hail-induced injuries Low Priority	Locate safe rooms near houses to prevent hail-induced injuries Does Not Apply
Educate public on construction techniques to minimize hail damage (bracing, shutters, laminated glass, hail-resistant roof/siding etc)	Educate public on construction techniques to minimize hail damage (bracing, shutters, laminated glass, hail-resistant roof/siding etc) High Priority	Educate public on construction techniques to minimize hail damage (bracing, shutters, laminated glass, hail-resistant roof/siding etc) Moderate Priority	Educate public on construction techniques to minimize hail damage (bracing, shutters, laminated glass, hail-resistant roof/siding etc) Low Priority	Educate public on construction techniques to minimize hail damage (bracing, shutters, laminated glass, hail-resistant roof/siding etc) Does Not Apply
Post warning signage at local parks, county fairs, and other outdoor venues	Post warning signage at local parks, county fairs, and other outdoor venues High Priority	Post warning signage at local parks, county fairs, and other outdoor venues Moderate Priority	Post warning signage at local parks, county fairs, and other outdoor venues Low Priority	Post warning signage at local parks, county fairs, and other outdoor venues Does Not Apply
Teach school children about the dangers of hail and how to take safety precautions	Teach school children about the dangers of hail and how to take safety precautions High Priority	Teach school children about the dangers of hail and how to take safety precautions Moderate Priority	Teach school children about the dangers of hail and how to take safety precautions Low Priority	Teach school children about the dangers of hail and how to take safety precautions Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing hail damage:

Question Title

* 4. LIGHTNING: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each lightning mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Instal lightning protection devices and methods, such as lightning rods and grounding, on public infrastructure and other critical facilities	Instal lightning protection devices and methods, such as lightning rods and grounding, on public infrastructure and other critical facilities High Priority	Instal lightning protection devices and methods, such as lightning rods and grounding, on public infrastructure and other critical facilities Moderate Priority	Instal lightning protection devices and methods, such as lightning rods and grounding, on public infrastructure and other critical facilities Low Priority	Instal lightning protection devices and methods, such as lightning rods and grounding, on public infrastructure and other critical facilities Does Not Apply
Instal and maintain surge protection on critical public electronic equipment	Instal and maintain surge protection on critical public electronic equipment High Priority	Instal and maintain surge protection on critical public electronic equipment Moderate Priority	Instal and maintain surge protection on critical public electronic equipment Low Priority	Instal and maintain surge protection on critical public electronic equipment Does Not Apply
Post warning signage on lightning at local parks	Post warning signage on lightning at local parks High Priority	Post warning signage on lightning at local parks Moderate Priority	Post warning signage on lightning at local parks Low Priority	Post warning signage on lightning at local parks Does Not Apply
Teach school children about the dangers of lightning and how to take safety precautions	Teach school children about the dangers of lightning and how to take safety precautions High Priority	Teach school children about the dangers of lightning and how to take safety precautions Moderate Priority	Teach school children about the dangers of lightning and how to take safety precautions Low Priority	Teach school children about the dangers of lightning and how to take safety precautions Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing lightning damage:

Question Title

* 5. SEVERE WIND: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each severe wind mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Review building codes and structural policies to ensure they are adequate to protect older structures and manufactured homes from wind damage.	Review building codes and structural policies to ensure they are adequate to protect older structures and manufactured homes from wind damage. High Priority	Review building codes and structural policies to ensure they are adequate to protect older structures and manufactured homes from wind damage. Moderate Priority	Review building codes and structural policies to ensure they are adequate to protect older structures and manufactured homes from wind damage. Low Priority	Review building codes and structural policies to ensure they are adequate to protect older structures and manufactured homes from wind damage. Does Not Apply
Educate public on construction methods (new construction and retrofitting) to prevent wind damage on buildings	Educate public on construction methods (new construction and retrofitting) to prevent wind damage on buildings High Priority	Educate public on construction methods (new construction and retrofitting) to prevent wind damage on buildings Moderate Priority	Educate public on construction methods (new construction and retrofitting) to prevent wind damage on buildings Low Priority	Educate public on construction methods (new construction and retrofitting) to prevent wind damage on buildings Does Not Apply
Increase amount of natural features to be used as wind buffers	Increase amount of natural features to be used as wind buffers High Priority	Increase amount of natural features to be used as wind buffers Moderate Priority	Increase amount of natural features to be used as wind buffers Low Priority	Increase amount of natural features to be used as wind buffers Does Not Apply
Establish standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning around lines.	Establish standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning around lines. High Priority	Establish standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning around lines. Moderate Priority	Establish standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning around lines. Low Priority	Establish standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning around lines. Does Not Apply
Bury power lines to provide uninterrupted power after severe winds, considering both maintenance and repair issues	Bury power lines to provide uninterrupted power after severe winds, considering both maintenance and repair issues High Priority	Bury power lines to provide uninterrupted power after severe winds, considering both maintenance and repair issues Moderate Priority	Bury power lines to provide uninterrupted power after severe winds, considering both maintenance and repair issues Low Priority	Bury power lines to provide uninterrupted power after severe winds, considering both maintenance and repair issues Does Not Apply
Retrofit public buildings and critical facilities to reduce future wind damage	Retrofit public buildings and critical facilities to reduce future wind damage High Priority	Retrofit public buildings and critical facilities to reduce future wind damage Moderate Priority	Retrofit public buildings and critical facilities to reduce future wind damage Low Priority	Retrofit public buildings and critical facilities to reduce future wind damage Does Not Apply
Improve public awareness of severe wind through outreach activities	Improve public awareness of severe wind through outreach activities High Priority	Improve public awareness of severe wind through outreach activities Moderate Priority	Improve public awareness of severe wind through outreach activities Low Priority	Improve public awareness of severe wind through outreach activities Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing severe wind damage:

Question Title

* 6. SEVERE WINTER WEATHER: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each severe winter weather mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Educate public on building construction to handle heavy snow and extreme cold (protecting pipes)	Educate public on building construction to handle heavy snow and extreme cold (protecting pipes) High Priority	Educate public on building construction to handle heavy snow and extreme cold (protecting pipes) Moderate Priority	Educate public on building construction to handle heavy snow and extreme cold (protecting pipes) Low Priority	Educate public on building construction to handle heavy snow and extreme cold (protecting pipes) Does Not Apply
Plan for and maintain better road and debris clearing capabilities	Plan for and maintain better road and debris clearing capabilities High Priority	Plan for and maintain better road and debris clearing capabilities Moderate Priority	Plan for and maintain better road and debris clearing capabilities Low Priority	Plan for and maintain better road and debris clearing capabilities Does Not Apply
Install snow fences or rows of trees to limit blowing and drifting snow over critical roadways	Install snow fences or rows of trees to limit blowing and drifting snow over critical roadways High Priority	Install snow fences or rows of trees to limit blowing and drifting snow over critical roadways Moderate Priority	Install snow fences or rows of trees to limit blowing and drifting snow over critical roadways Low Priority	Install snow fences or rows of trees to limit blowing and drifting snow over critical roadways Does Not Apply
Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible heating centers in the community.	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible heating centers in the community. High Priority	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible heating centers in the community. Moderate Priority	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible heating centers in the community. Low Priority	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible heating centers in the community. Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing severe winter storm damage:

Question Title

* 7. SINKHOLES/SUBSIDENCE: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each sinkhole/subsidence mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Use computer software to map areas that are susceptible to subsidence	Use computer software to map areas that are susceptible to subsidence High Priority	Use computer software to map areas that are susceptible to subsidence Moderate Priority	Use computer software to map areas that are susceptible to subsidence Low Priority	Use computer software to map areas that are susceptible to subsidence Does Not Apply
Monitor areas at risk of subsidence	Monitor areas at risk of subsidence High Priority	Monitor areas at risk of subsidence Moderate Priority	Monitor areas at risk of subsidence Low Priority	Monitor areas at risk of subsidence Does Not Apply
Promote community awareness of subsidence/sinkhole risks and impacts.	Promote community awareness of subsidence/sinkhole risks and impacts. High Priority	Promote community awareness of subsidence/sinkhole risks and impacts. Moderate Priority	Promote community awareness of subsidence/sinkhole risks and impacts. Low Priority	Promote community awareness of subsidence/sinkhole risks and impacts. Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing sinkhole/subsidence damage:

Question Title

* 8. TORNADO: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each tornado mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Plan for construction of safe rooms in schools, daycares, and nursing homes	Plan for construction of safe rooms in schools, daycares, and nursing homes High Priority	Plan for construction of safe rooms in schools, daycares, and nursing homes Moderate Priority	Plan for construction of safe rooms in schools, daycares, and nursing homes Low Priority	Plan for construction of safe rooms in schools, daycares, and nursing homes Does Not Apply
Educate public on engineering measures and construction techniques to reduce impact of tornados	Educate public on engineering measures and construction techniques to reduce impact of tornados High Priority	Educate public on engineering measures and construction techniques to reduce impact of tornados Moderate Priority	Educate public on engineering measures and construction techniques to reduce impact of tornados Low Priority	Educate public on engineering measures and construction techniques to reduce impact of tornados Does Not Apply
Provide new torando siren system	Provide new torando siren system High Priority	Provide new torando siren system Moderate Priority	Provide new torando siren system Low Priority	Provide new torando siren system Does Not Apply
Increase outreach activities to increase awareness of tornado risk	Increase outreach activities to increase awareness of tornado risk High Priority	Increase outreach activities to increase awareness of tornado risk Moderate Priority	Increase outreach activities to increase awareness of tornado risk Low Priority	Increase outreach activities to increase awareness of tornado risk Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing tornado damage:

Question Title

* 9. FIRE: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each fire mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Encourage safe disposal of yard and household waste rather than open burning	Encourage safe disposal of yard and household waste rather than open burning High Priority	Encourage safe disposal of yard and household waste rather than open burning Moderate Priority	Encourage safe disposal of yard and household waste rather than open burning Low Priority	Encourage safe disposal of yard and household waste rather than open burning Does Not Apply
Encourage removal of dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, and combustibles from roofs, decks, eaves, porches, and yards	Encourage removal of dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, and combustibles from roofs, decks, eaves, porches, and yards High Priority	Encourage removal of dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, and combustibles from roofs, decks, eaves, porches, and yards Moderate Priority	Encourage removal of dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, and combustibles from roofs, decks, eaves, porches, and yards Low Priority	Encourage removal of dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, and combustibles from roofs, decks, eaves, porches, and yards Does Not Apply
Use local fire departments to conduct education programs in schools	Use local fire departments to conduct education programs in schools High Priority	Use local fire departments to conduct education programs in schools Moderate Priority	Use local fire departments to conduct education programs in schools Low Priority	Use local fire departments to conduct education programs in schools Does Not Apply
Encourage installation and maintenance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of homes or other buildings.	Encourage installation and maintenance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of homes or other buildings. High Priority	Encourage installation and maintenance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of homes or other buildings. Moderate Priority	Encourage installation and maintenance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of homes or other buildings. Low Priority	Encourage installation and maintenance of smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of homes or other buildings. Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing fire damage:

Question Title

* 10. EXTREME HEAT: Please indicate, in your opinion, the priority level of each extreme heat mitigation action to be used within YOUR JURISDICTION in the future.

	High Priority	Moderate Priority	Low Priority	Does Not Apply
Increase tree plantings around buildings and along public rights-of-way.	Increase tree plantings around buildings and along public rights-of-way. High Priority	Increase tree plantings around buildings and along public rights-of-way. Moderate Priority	Increase tree plantings around buildings and along public rights-of-way. Low Priority	Increase tree plantings around buildings and along public rights-of-way. Does Not Apply
Encourage installation of green roofs, which provide shade and remove heat from the roof surface and surrounding air.	Encourage installation of green roofs, which provide shade and remove heat from the roof surface and surrounding air. High Priority	Encourage installation of green roofs, which provide shade and remove heat from the roof surface and surrounding air. Moderate Priority	Encourage installation of green roofs, which provide shade and remove heat from the roof surface and surrounding air. Low Priority	Encourage installation of green roofs, which provide shade and remove heat from the roof surface and surrounding air. Does Not Apply
Encourage cool roofing products that reflect sunlight and heat away from a building.	Encourage cool roofing products that reflect sunlight and heat away from a building. High Priority	Encourage cool roofing products that reflect sunlight and heat away from a building. Moderate Priority	Encourage cool roofing products that reflect sunlight and heat away from a building. Low Priority	Encourage cool roofing products that reflect sunlight and heat away from a building. Does Not Apply
Educate citizens regarding the dangers of extreme heat and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme temperatures occur	Educate citizens regarding the dangers of extreme heat and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme temperatures occur High Priority	Educate citizens regarding the dangers of extreme heat and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme temperatures occur Moderate Priority	Educate citizens regarding the dangers of extreme heat and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme temperatures occur Low Priority	Educate citizens regarding the dangers of extreme heat and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme temperatures occur Does Not Apply
Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible cooling center(s) in the community.	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible cooling center(s) in the community. High Priority	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible cooling center(s) in the community. Moderate Priority	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible cooling center(s) in the community. Low Priority	Organize outreach to vulnerable populations, including establishing and promoting accessible cooling center(s) in the community. Does Not Apply

Please provide any other comments you might have in regards to preventing or reducing extreme heat damage:

Question Title

* 11. Please comment on any other issue(s) that Mitchell County Emergency Management and elected officials in your jurisdiction should consider when developing a strategy to reduce future losses caused by hazard events.

These issues might involve dam/infrastructure failure, transportation accidents, radiological events, infectious human disease, terrorism, civil unrest, drought, animal/plant/crop disease, and hazardous materials release.