Mitigation Plan

Hancock County Emergency Management is accepting public comments on the draft version of the 2025 Hancock County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Comments will be received through July 18, 2025. To provide feedback you may contact the Hancock County Emergency Management Agency at (641)923-2702 or buffingtona@hancocklaw-ia.com.

• The Hancock County Hazard Mitigation Plan is a multi-jurisdictional plan that covers all of Hancock County, including all cities and School Districts within the county. 
• The plan assesses the natural hazards that pose risk to Hancock County such as tornadoes, severe windstorms, flooding, winter storms, wildfire, landslides, and drought.  The plan further identifies local vulnerabilities and specific mitigation actions to reduce the impacts of future severe storm or disaster events.
• An update of the plan is required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) every 5 years in order to maintain eligibility for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant program funding. 
• The plan update is conducted with the participation and input of the county and local jurisdictions, as well as other stakeholders, including: local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation, representatives of businesses, academia, and other private organizations, representatives of non-profit organizations, and neighboring jurisdictions. 
• All city governments within the county must have documented participation in the planning process in order to adopt the plan and be eligible to apply for FEMA HMA grants.
• Hancock Hazard Mitigation 2025 Draft PDF