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County and city emergency managers brief Hope Mills ahead of hurricane season
Summary
Cumberland County and city emergency management staff briefed the board on hazards, roles under NC statutes, the importance of hazard mitigation planning for federal grants, and the town’s responsibilities during emergencies; participants placed dam failure and inland flooding among top concerns.
Representatives from Cumberland County and a nearby municipal emergency management office briefed the Town of Hope Mills Board of Commissioners on June 16 about preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season and other hazards.
Laura Smith, city emergency management coordinator, and Gary Crumpler, county emergency management coordinator, explained the four phases of emergency management—mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery—and highlighted local planning requirements. Smith said, “A disaster is any event that causes significant disruption, harm or destruction to a community,” and noted local hazardous‑materials incidents along I‑95 as a recurring planning consideration.
Speakers emphasized legal authorities, including North Carolina’s emergency management statute (N.C. Gen. Stat. §166A) and the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which ties hazard mitigation planning to eligibility for federal grants. Crumpler and Smith outlined municipal duties during emergencies, the role of the county emergency operations center, and the National Incident Management System (NIMS) framework used to coordinate multiagency responses.
As part of an interactive exercise, the board ranked inland flooding, hurricane risk, cyber incidents, dam failure and severe thunderstorms among top local concerns; presenters said the town’s hazard mitigation plan and participation in a regional mitigation plan support grant eligibility for infrastructure projects. Officials urged continued coordination between the town, county and state and encouraged public education (emergency kits, evacuation plans) to increase resilience.
No formal action was taken; county and town staff said they will share hazard‑assessment results with the town manager for follow up.
