Since 2000, there have been 15 federally declared natural disasters in Minnesota. Natural disasters in Minnesota cost more than $500 million in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) funds from 1993-2003. Over the past decade, six federal disasters such as flooding and severe storms occurred in Dakota County.
Beginning in 2000, federal law requires all states and counties to prepare an All-Hazard Mitigation Plan that:
- Identifies the types of hazards that pose a risk of injury, death or property damage
- Ranks the hazards by severity and likelihood of occurrence
- Identifies strategies to minimize future risk
These hazard mitigation plans must be updated every five year to be eligible for both federal disaster relief and mitigation program grant dollars.
The first All-Hazards Mitigation Plan was approved by the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2006.
Since early 2010, Dakota County staff has been coordinating the required 5-year update to the All-Hazards Mitigation Plan with the 14 urban and six rural cities of Dakota County. Each city has participated in the planning process and developed mitigation strategies as part of the multi-jurisdictional plan.
The updated Plan has subsequently been approved by the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency. Below is the approved updated plan.
If you have questions about the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan, please contact:
- B.J. Battig, Dakota County Risk and Homeland Security Manager, 651-438-4532
- David Gisch, Dakota County Emergency Manager, 651-438-4703