The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it has approved the countywide Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, making the County, cities, and other organizations eligible to leverage state and federal resources and expertise to implement actions and projects that will eliminate or greatly reduce the impact of natural hazards on our communities.
Otter Tail County is vulnerable to a variety of potential natural disasters which threaten the loss of life and property in the county. The plan addresses how the County and communities intend to continue to mitigate against hazards such as tornadoes, flooding, wildland fires, blizzards, straight-line winds, ice storms, and drought which have the potential for inflicting vast economic loss and personal hardship.
The County and every city have identified a series of efforts they want to pursue through 2027, ranging from education and awareness programs to local plans and regulations, natural systems protection, and structure and infrastructure projects. The construction of community storm shelters/safe rooms and placement of additional outdoor warning sirens and generators at critical community facilities are included on many community lists, as are projects designed to help stabilize soils/shoreland and reduce localized flooding and erosion.
All Otter Tail County cities were included in the development of the Plan and incorporated the concerns and needs of townships, school districts, and other stakeholders, as well as comments received by the public.
Over the next 5 years, Otter Tail County’s Emergency Management program will work with county and city officials and stakeholders to implement the plan, bring awareness to hazard migration opportunities, and help navigate funding and other processes to ensure projects can be realized and measurable reductions in natural hazard impacts can be achieved.
Details on the Otter Tail County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan, including profiles on Otter Tail County’s natural hazards and a complete list of identified mitigation actions, can be found by contacting the Emergency Management program or by visiting a dedicated page on the county website. ottertailcountymn.us/mitigation