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Cocke County adopts 2025–2030 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan; FEMA approval pending adoption documentation

Cocke County Legislative Body · March 1, 2026

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Summary

County commissioners adopted the 2025–2030 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan after a presentation by EMA Director Joe Esway. FEMA Region 4 issued conditional compliance and requested submission of the formal adoption resolution for final approval.

Cocke County adopted its 2025–2030 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan on Aug. 18 after a presentation from EMA Director Joe Esway.

Gayla Blazer moved to approve the plan and Billy Hudson seconded; the motion carried. The minutes note that Director Esway presented the plan and that final FEMA approval is contingent on receiving documentation of formal adoption. FEMA Region 4 issued a letter of conditional compliance dated July 30, 2025, indicating the plan meets federal planning requirements subject to submission of the county’s adoption resolution.

The plan (prepared with support from the Tennessee Department of Emergency Management and FEMA guidance) outlines hazard‑mitigation priorities, recommended projects and a multi‑year implementation strategy for reducing risk to the county’s population and infrastructure. Adopting the plan allows the county to remain eligible for certain pre‑disaster and post‑disaster mitigation funding from federal sources.

County staff will provide the signed adoption resolution to FEMA to receive formal approval and continue to pursue mitigation project funding and implementation as laid out in the plan.