Hazard Mitigation

FEMA Approved Plans | HMGP Grants | Contact

Mitigation is how communities, businesses, and citizens can reduce the impacts of a disaster long-term by acting before an event occurs.  The Northwest Missouri Regional Council of Governments assists surrounding counties, communities, and schools to develop FEMA approved Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plans. Each plan is updated every five years. With an approved hazard mitigation plan, participating jurisdictions can be eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to advance mitigation projects and reduce the negative impacts of hazard events.

The first action necessary to reduce the effects of a hazard event is the preparation and implementation of a mitigation strategy. This effort is completed by coordinating meetings among local elected officials, school district officials, local citizens, and representatives from businesses and service agencies to review goals, objectives, and achievable actions that will address their community’s vulnerabilities in the occurrence of a natural disaster.  Once input from the Planning Committee and participating individuals has been received, the hazard mitigation plan is written and then sent off to the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for approval.

Current FEMA Approved Plans:

Atchison County 2/27/2025

Atchison County Update

Gentry County 3/11/2026

Holt County 11/17/2026

Nodaway County 9/27/2028

Worth County 3/14/2027

Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives 3/8/2028

HMGP Grants

The Regional Council provides assistance to eligible jurisdictions/schools that apply for HMGP grants.  Jurisdictions/schools can be eligible for HMGP grant opportunities if they have participated in their county’s hazard mitigation plan.  The following link provides access to grant applications and information as to what mitigation projects can be funded:

https://sema.dps.mo.gov/programs/mitigation_management.php

For more information about applying for hazard mitigation grants, please contact Amy Dowis at (660) 582-5121 or email at amy@nwmorcog.org.