Mitigation projects and activities that can prevent injuries and fatalities while maintaining vital services for Iroquois County residents will be the main topic of discussion at the Iroquois County Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning Committee meeting at the MABAS 37 Building, 103½ Main St., Crescent City (behind Ailey’s Welding Shop), at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12. The Committee began work in January 2024 to update the County’s All Hazards Mitigation Plan. This Plan details the past severe weather events that have impacted the County and identifies mitigation projects and activities that can be taken before a severe weather event occurs to protect residents and critical services and infrastructure. “Obtaining FEMA’s approval of our updated Plan will make all of the participants eligible to receive federal grant money for mitigation projects and activities,” explained Iroquois County Emergency Management Agency Coordinator, Scott Anderson. Projects identified by Committee members at this meeting will become part of the Iroquois County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan. While the committee has provided input on portions of the Plan, the entire Plan will be presented for public review and comment before it is submitted to the state and federal government for approval. “A public forum will be conducted February 13, 2025 for interested persons to review the Plan update and ask questions of Committee Members. A two-week public comment period will be held following the public forum to accommodate interested persons who are unable to attend. We want to make sure that anybody who is interested has an opportunity to review and comment on the draft Plan update,” added Anderson. Interested persons can submit questions and comments to the Committee members or directly to the Iroquois County EMA Office.