SIDNEY — A draft of the updated Shelby County Hazard Mitigation Plan is ready for review at an Open House on Wednesday, Nov. 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, 800 Fair Road, Sidney. The public is welcome to review the plan at the event or view the original and updated plans on-line at [email protected].

The plan addresses natural hazards such as flooding, severe summer and winter storms, tornado and high wind events, earthquake, drought and excessive heat. Attendees will have an opportunity to review the results of a county wide hazard risk assessment and comment on mitigation actions identified to help prevent or minimize the effects of hazard threats to the residents of Shelby County.

Moving forward, the plan will be submitted to the Ohio EMA and FEMA for review and approval. Once accepted, the plan will be adopted by the county and jurisdictions. When adopted, the plan will receive final approval by FEMA which will give all county jurisdictions potential access to federal disaster relief funds and grants for mitigation projects.

Community involvement is very important and all county residents are welcome to respond and give their feedback to the plan. Direct all comments, suggestions, or questions concerning the plan to Cheri Drinkwine, Shelby County EMA director, at [email protected] or call 937-492-5635.