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Athens County adopts five‑year Hazard Mitigation Plan, sends it to FEMA for final approval
Summary
The Board of Athens County Commissioners unanimously adopted an updated county Hazard Mitigation Plan that FEMA has approved pending the county's formal adoption; the plan includes no local cost and identifies animal-relocation and early-notification measures for vulnerable residents.
The Athens County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the county's updated Hazard Mitigation Plan on Jan. 27, 2026 and authorized county emergency management staff to submit adoption documents to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for final approval.
The plan, updated on a five‑year cycle, was presented by EMA Director Teresa Fouts‑Imler and EMA staff Melissa Blank. Officials said the plan's development cost of about $40,000 was covered through in‑kind work and that most jurisdictions participated; Buchtel did not submit through Athens because it completed a plan with the neighboring county. The plan includes stakeholder surveys, outreach artifacts and specific annex updates such as expanded animal relocation planning for farms and improved early‑notification strategies for elderly, disabled and flood‑prone residents.
Commissioner Charlie Adkins moved to adopt the plan and Commissioner Chris Chmiel seconded the motion. The vote was recorded as Mr. Eliason, yea; Mr. Chmiel, yea; Mr. Adkins, yea. The board's adoption is required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 for Athens County to maintain eligibility for certain federal and state mitigation funding and for FEMA to issue a final approval letter.
Next steps include the county EMA submitting the signed resolution and required documentation to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency for transmittal to FEMA. County officials said the plan will remain in effect for five years and that staff will continue follow‑up on annex items such as the Animals in Disasters annex and expanded Hyper‑Reach notification use for at‑risk populations.
