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Board adopts 2025–2030 County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan; generators and sirens highlighted
Summary
The board approved Resolution 2025-16 adopting the county-wide 2025–2030 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, which lists grant priorities including backup generators for emergency facilities, six outdoor early-warning sirens (~$60,000 each), evacuation-route signs and other mitigation projects.
The Newport Board approved Resolution 2025-16 to adopt the county’s 2025–2030 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, a five-year update required to maintain eligibility for certain federal mitigation grants.
A presenter described the plan as part of the county’s obligations under FEMA guidance and said the update documents historical disasters, demographics, topography, and other data used to prioritize mitigation projects. Priority projects discussed in the meeting included: acquiring a backup generator for the county emergency operations center (which the presenter said currently lacks one); backup generators for the Newport Rescue Squad and the county’s six volunteer fire departments so they can operate as warming or evacuation shelters during incidents; new evacuation-route signs; and an interoperable early-warning system comprising roughly six outdoor sirens capable of distinct tones for different emergencies.
The presenter told the board that Tennessee had several million dollars allocated for such mitigation projects and that the state’s portion could be about $6 million; the presenter estimated the outdoor sirens at roughly $60,000 each. The plan’s authors recommended pursuing available state and federal grants to pay for the projects.
Board members asked few questions and the resolution was adopted on roll call. Named votes recorded in the meeting transcript included Alderman Mike Hansel — yes; Alderman Louanna Oettinger — yes; Alderman Randy Reagan — yes.
Why it matters: adopting the hazard mitigation plan preserves the county and city’s eligibility for state and federal mitigation funding and sets local grant priorities for the next five years.
Implementation: staff and emergency management partners will pursue grants for the items listed in the plan and return to the board with specific grant applications and project agreements for approval as needed.
