WILDFIRES, DROUGHT, FLOODS TOP BOULDER COUNTY RESIDENT'S CONCERNS

Wildfire, drought, floods top Boulder County residents' concerns

By Amy Bounds Camera Staff Writer

Posted: 08/05/2013 08:38:18 PM MDT | Updated: about 12 hours ago

Boulder County residents are most concerned about wildfire, drought and floods, based on preliminary results of a survey asking for feedback on natural hazards and mitigation efforts.

The Boulder Office of Emergency Management is asking area residents to take an online survey and use social media to provide input on revisions to the county's Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The survey, The survey, at svy.mk/10X3RPR, will remain open through Sept. 20.

"It's an effort to have the whole community look at hazards and mitigation," said Mike Chard, director of the Boulder Office of Emergency Management.

The plan, first adopted in 2008, identifies natural hazards that threaten Boulder County and lays out strategies that governments can use to limit their impacts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency mandates that such a plan exist and be updated every five years as a condition of providing certain kinds of disaster assistance and recovery funding.

Based on the survey results so far, lightning, windstorms, winter storms and West Nile virus joined wildfire, drought and floods as the top concerns.

About 78 percent of respondents indicated that they have taken actions to reduce or eliminate the impact of natural hazards. Efforts include clearing trees and brush and installing metal roofing for fire mitigation, conserving water and adding drought-resistant landscaping for drought mitigation, and making personal preparedness plans.

Chard said information from the survey will help the hazard mitigation planning committee determine residents' concerns and questions and guide discussions through the revision process.

In 2008, drought, floods, snowstorms, wildfires and windstorms were the biggest natural disaster concerns for the county.

Some of the high-priority actions in 2008 included expanding the county's citizen emergency response training, implementing an emergency email and text-messaging system in Erie, replacing the 61st Street bridge over Boulder Creek and developing a community wildfire protection plan for Lyons.

In addition to the survey, Boulder County residents are encouraged to reach out on the emergency management office's Facebook page, facebook.com/BoulderOEM, and Twitter account, @BoulderOEM, to provide feedback throughout the revision process. Community meetings on the revised plan are scheduled in September, with a final document expected by Nov. 1.

For more information, visit BoulderOEM.org or call 303-441-3390.