Gwinnett County has adopted a new hazard mitigation plan designed to help the county and its cities better prepare for natural disasters. The plan, recently approved by Gwinnett County and the cities of Auburn, Berkeley Lake, Buford, Dacula, Duluth, Grayson, Lawrenceville, Lilburn, Loganville, Mulberry, Norcross, Peachtree Corners, Snellville, Sugar Hill, Suwanee and the town of Braselton, aims to strengthen local resilience against various hazards.
The multi-jurisdictional plan outlines potential risks and provides a framework for officials to make informed decisions that protect residents and property. It also includes strategies for implementing mitigation projects such as installing generators at essential facilities and improving stormwater systems. Community preparedness efforts are also part of the plan.
According to Michael Shaw, Office of Emergency Management Director: “History shows that the physical, financial and emotional losses caused by disasters can be reduced significantly by effective hazard mitigation planning. No single jurisdiction can tackle this alone, and we’re proud to partner with our cities and other local agencies to build a safer, more resilient community.”
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approval is required for state and local hazard mitigation plans. This approval is necessary for communities to qualify for certain types of disaster assistance funding. Plans must be reviewed and approved at least once every five years.
Gwinnett County continues to grow steadily in population; school enrollment increased by less than 0.1% during the 2022-23 school year compared to the previous year (https://www.gadoe.org/). The total number of students enrolled in Gwinnett County schools reached 190,044 in 2022-23 (https://www.gadoe.org/), with white students representing about 18% of the student body (https://www.gadoe.org/).
For more information about Gwinnett’s mitigation efforts or details on how residents can get involved or stay informed about disaster preparedness initiatives in their area, visit GwinnettCounty.com/HazardMitigation or contact EMA@GwinnettCounty.com.
