Sullivan County/TEMA meet to discuss mitigation plan

Sullivan County officials and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency met with community members Wednesday. The meeting was to discuss the county’s updated five-year mitigation plan. Every Tennessee county has a hazard mitigation plan to prepare for natural disasters and help limit financial strain on the community. TEMA officials say for every dollar that is spent on mitigation, it saves between 6 and $8 on future damage. Sullivan County Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Bean said that reviewing the plan at least every five years ensures that the most critical projects remain a priority in disaster recovery efforts. This will be the first revision to the plan since Hurricane Helene. Once the plan is submitted, FEMA has 60 days to review and accept it.