As the City of Seminole prepares to update their hazard mitigation plan this year, they are asking community members to fill out a survey so they can learn more about local concerns as they put their plan in place.

“Mitigation” is the reduction of something harmful or the reduction of its harmful effects. The Local Mitigation Plan will help identify natural hazards and vulnerabilities, assess the risks, and identify ways to eliminate or at least reduce the losses when disaster strikes.

The survey can be found on the internet at surveylegend. com/s/4res or by using the QR code at the right.

City of Seminole Emergency Management Director Ernie Willis stresses that it is very important that as many people as possible fill out this survey because it helps identify and qualify grants that may be available from FEMA to help put the mitigation plan into action. This could include, for example, help purchasing generators, build storm shelters, construct dams in flood prone areas, purchase storm sirens, etc. This survey may also help identify a serious hazard that the City has overlooked or is unaware of.

Willis points out that you will remain anonymous, although you will be asked for your zip code to identify what general area you live in.

The first question on the survey is, in the last 10 years, which natural hazards have directly impacted you? Survey takers can check multiple answers of all that apply from a list of 11 hazards that include tornado, flooding, drought, earthquakes, etc. as well as a place to fill in “other.”

The next question is if you frequently deal with any natural disasters not listed in question 1, and is a simple yes or no.

“What concerns you most” is the next question, and offers six concern such as loss of life, property damage, lack of personal preparedness, etc. as well as a blank to fill in “other.”

The remaining questions are: Do you feel prepared to deal with natural disasters”; “Would you attend preparedness related meeting if or when they become available”; and “What kind of hazard mitigation project do you believe the City of Seminole resident could most benefit from?”

This is a short and simple survey and is easy to take on your phone or computer. All participants are greatly appreciated, and they will be a great help for the City and community.