Lincoln County adopts 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan after FEMA approval

Lincoln County commissioners on Monday adopted the county’s Hazard Mitigation Plan 2026, a FEMA‑approved, multi‑jurisdictional update intended to guide risk assessment and mitigation across the county’s 18 towns, one plantation and portions of unorganized territory. Planning staff said the plan focuses heavily on coastal flooding and severe winter and summer storms while also addressing drought and wildfire risks.

The adoption was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. A planning staff member told the board that municipal adoption would make towns eligible to pursue federal mitigation grants and other funding tied to an adopted plan. "This year's plan focuses heavily on coastal flooding, a severe winter and summer storms," the presenter said, adding that towns participated in the plan’s development.

Commissioners praised the planning office for coordinating with municipal officials and meeting tight deadlines, and board members noted that the updated plan preserves access to hazard‑mitigation funding. One commissioner asked whether the plan could help towns enroll in the Community Rating System under the National Flood Insurance Program; a planning staffer said the plan would "play into it slightly" and referenced LD 1, a state push to help towns enroll through regional planning organizations.

The board recorded the adoption with a unanimous voice vote. The county will now notify participating towns and continue outreach to obtain municipal adoptions, which are required at the local level for individual jurisdictions to access certain federal mitigation funds.