Area News

Henderson County Continues Hazard Mitigation Planning 

Community Meeting Scheduled for May 12 at the Henderson County Health Department  

Henderson County is continuing the update of its Multi‑Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan. 

According to Cindy Brown, Henderson County Emergency Management and Zoning Officer, the current plan, adopted in 2019, is set to expire in 2026. 

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires each jurisdiction to have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to remain eligible for several funding streams,” Brown explained. 

The county received a FEMA grant, administered through the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA), to partner with University of Illinois Extension in facilitating the plan update.

As part of this process, the next planning meeting will be held on May 12 at 6 p.m. at the Henderson County Health Department, 208 West Elm St., Gladstone. 

This is the third meeting in the planning sequence and replaces the March 10 session that was canceled due to severe weather. 

The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

University of Illinois Extension Educator Russell Medley noted that this meeting will function as a working session.

Each incorporated jurisdiction in the county will have the opportunity to identify and submit potential mitigation projects for inclusion in the plan.

Medley also emphasized that participation is not limited to local governments—schools, hospitals, health departments, and social service organizations are encouraged to attend and may submit projects aimed at reducing the impacts of future disasters.

“It is important for communities to participate and identify potential projects,” Brown added. “Resiliency and mitigation projects must be included in the updated plan, or they will not be considered for FEMA or IEMA funding when they are truly needed.”

All Henderson County residents are welcome to attend and take part in the planning process.

For more information about the Hazard Mitigation Planning Process, contact Cindy Brown at ema.zoning@hendersoncountyil.gov or Russell Medley at rmedley@illinois.edu. For information about Illinois Extension programs, contact the Henderson County Extension Office at (309) 924‑1163.