Subsequent to the devastating floods experienced by the Texoma area this summer, Texoma Council of Governments set to work to obtain planning funds to work on Hazard Mitigation Action Planning for Cooke and Fannin Counties.
Sarah Somers, Director of the Criminal Justice & Emergency Planning section, advised the TCOG board Thursday night, February 21, 2008, that an award had been received from the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management and FEMA in the amount of $146,216.00.
This will allow TCOG to assist in the preparation of a comprehensive multi-jurisdictional plan for both counties. Hazards affecting Texoma communities, particularly floods, will be addressed and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of such disasters will be developed. The resulting plan will enable those same counties (and the cities within those counties which participate in the planning work) to obtain additional federal funding to implement the mitigation strategies.
Mitigation strategies might include flood control projects, safe room projects, enhanced building codes or land development policies, and public awareness/education activities.
Somers said Thursday night: “We are happy to have, at long last, obtained the funding to do this important work. Ironically, TCOG had received a notice from FEMA that a grant application had been denied for this same planning project the week prior to the flood last year. Mitigation planning is long overdue for our region and we are pleased to be asked to work with our local governments to get the job done.”