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Cusseta–Chattahoochee County adopts 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan to preserve FEMA funding
Summary
The Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 on Aug. 5, 2025, a FEMA‑required update that identifies natural and man‑made risks and lists mitigation strategies to qualify the county for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program reimbursements.
The Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the county’s updated Hazard Mitigation Plan on Aug. 5, 2025, a step county officials said is necessary to remain eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from FEMA.
The resolution, introduced after a motion by Commissioner Timothy Biddle and seconded by Commissioner Gerald Douglas, records formal adoption of the Cusseta–Chattahoochee County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2024 and directs staff to treat the document as a working plan to guide future mitigation and grant applications. County Manager Thomas Weaver told commissioners the county had been waiting about a year for GEMA approval needed to pursue reimbursement.
The plan update, prepared by the county Emergency Management Agency with a 21‑member planning committee, identified nine natural hazards and four technological/man‑made hazards, and lists 79 mitigation strategies (70 for natural hazards and nine for technological hazards). New hazards added in the update include winter storms, earthquake and transportation incidents. The plan summary notes completed actions since the prior plan, such as building‑code updates, floodplain regulation enforcement and emergency‑shelter and CERT preparations.
Adoption means the county meets FEMA’s 44 CFR 201.6 requirement, county staff said, allowing municipalities to apply for mitigation grants tied to the plan. The commission’s vote was unanimous; the clerk’s minutes record no abstentions. The resolution directs periodic review and a five‑year update schedule.
Next steps identified in the plan include prioritizing projects for grant applications, maintaining NFIP compliance, studying outdoor‑warning siren locations, purchasing portable generators for utilities and expanding public outreach on fire and burn rules. County Manager Weaver said staff will compile cost estimates and pursue GEMA and federal funding where appropriate.
