The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) worked with JEO Consulting Group to update and combine the Hamilton, Seward, and York Counties Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMP). A hazard mitigation plan is a community-guided document that identifies vulnerability to hazards and mitigation projects to reduce or eliminate this vulnerability. Hazard mitigation plans are a requirement of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Having an approved and updated plan enables a community to be stronger and more resilient by:

1. Reducing your community’s risk and impacts from disasters,
2. Gaining eligibility for pre- and post-disaster mitigation grants, and
3. Building partnerships within your community.

Members of the community, schools, fire departments, hospitals, and other jurisdictions within the community are invited to participate in this process by attending meetings and providing information for the plan.

This hazard mitigation plan update was funded by a FEMA planning grant. The cost was shared 75% through federal funding and 25% through a local match. For this plan update, the Upper Big Blue NRD, Hamilton County, Seward County, and York County provided the 25% local match.

A copy of the approved 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan sections may be downloaded below:

Upper Big Blue Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Upfront

Hamilton County Participant Sections

Seward County Participant Sections

York County Participant Sections

Special Districts Participant Sections

General Resources

• Upper Big Blue NRD Website
• Drought Monitor 
• National Weather Service 
• National Centers for Environmental Information
• FEMA VII: Mitigation