Residents of Skagit County have historically dealt with high water, severe windstorms, harsh winter storms, wildfires, earthquakes, landslides, and even minor volcanic activity. It is impossible to predict exactly when or to what extent these hazards will occur, however with careful planning and community collaboration it is possible to minimize the losses that can result from these natural phenomena.
What Are The Benefits Of Hazard Mitigation?
- Demonstrate commitment to improving community health and safety
- Save lives and property
- Reduce vulnerability to future hazards
- Facilitate post-disaster funding
- Speed recovery
HMP Updates
Skagit County is updating the multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan helps you understand what dangers, such as floods or earthquakes, could affect your community and what you and your local agencies can do to make things safer.
The plan update is a joint effort between Skagit County, local and Tribal governments, and community partners including Dike and Drainage Districts, Fire Districts, Conway School District, Skagit 911, Skagit Conservation District, and Skagit Public Utility District. Each partner has a section in the plan to describe how hazards affect them, and there is one section that describes the County and hazards in general.
General preparedness survey results
We appreciate everyone who took the general preparedness survey. The results showed that wildfire, flood and dam failure, and power or water system failure are key concerns for you.
Those same concerns, along with bridge and road failure, are high priorities for mitigation actions. Hospitals and critical communication centers are important places for our communities to protect.
Current events
Skagit Department of Emergency Management took part in 12 open houses held from August through September. Most of the planning partner agencies also took part in these events.
The current survey includes every participating agency, their proposed mitigation actions, and space for your comments. The survey is available in English and Spanish.
After the survey period ends, the draft plan will be posted for public comment.
Timeline for the plan update
The County and our planning partners are updating the plan with additional hazards and changes from the last five years.
The goal is to submit the draft plan to the Washington Emergency Management Division (WA EMD) by early December. The draft will include input from the current survey and public comments from the draft public comment period.
Current hazard mitigation plan
The current Hazard Mitigation Plan includes the following documents:
For more information on wildfire, visit the Skagit Conservation District wildfire page: Wildfire | Skagit Conservation.
