Bristol council adopts Mount Rogers hazard mitigation plan and flags generator grants for public works

The Bristol Virginia City Council unanimously adopted the 2025 Mount Rogers Planning District pre-disaster hazard mitigation plan at its May 13 meeting, a step city officials said will support applying for mitigation grants.

Chief Armstrong presented the plan as a locality-level compilation of potential hazards—snowstorms, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and other events—and the mitigation strategies meant to reduce long-term risk to people and property. The plan is compiled through the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission and, as read into the record, cites applicable federal statutes including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the National Dam Safety Program Act.

Council members praised staff work and emphasized the plan’s practical implications. One councilor noted power loss at public works buildings during a recent storm and said adoption is the gateway to seeking grants to buy generators for those facilities. City staff confirmed the plan’s adoption will be used to pursue such grant funding.

The resolution was adopted by unanimous roll call. Adopted local action allows the city to proceed with mitigation grant applications consistent with Mount Rogers Planning District processes.

Background: The 2025 Mount Rogers pre-disaster hazard mitigation plan identifies mitigation goals across participating localities and is intended to make jurisdictions eligible for certain federal and state mitigation funding. The resolution adopted by the council references the federal statutes in its preamble and directs city staff to follow through on the plan’s mitigation actions.