Take Putnam County's Hazard Survey

by Theresa Oliver

 Updating an all-out offensive against natural hazards and the lives and property they threaten, citizens across Putnam County’s 6 towns and 3 villages  are encouraged to participate in an online survey as part of critical hazard mitigation planning currently underway. 

Found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PutnamHMP  the survey is an important part of the County’s five-year hazard mitigation plan to identify, prevent, and reduce risks and losses from natural disasters.

Spearheaded by a community planning committee and complemented with support from county, regional, and state agencies and stakeholders, the Putnam County Hazard Mitigation Plan’s citizen survey is designed to raise public awareness about local and regional hazards, and to gather key information to improve the County’s efforts to “mitigate” or to protect public and private property and infrastructure from natural hazard events, such as floods, hurricanes, severe storms, and wildfires.

“Identifying, preventing, and reducing risks associated with natural hazards is everyone’s responsibility,” said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell.  It’s not a question about if the next big storm will hit, but when. Our collective communities must be vigilant in ongoing efforts to become resilient to the effects of storms and other natural hazards. Vigilance starts with each county resident and business owner. We need everyone’s help to prevent and reduce the loss of life and property.”

The citizen survey, which will be open until August 15, 2014, is one of several public outreach measures to engage community participation, along with town and village meetings, social media posts on municipal web sites, and stakeholder planning sessions. Slated for completion by September 1, 2014, the Putnam County Hazard Mitigation Plan will serve as the natural hazard mitigation blueprint for the next five years, making timely citizen participation key.

For additional information about the Putnam County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, visit http://www.Putnamcountyny.gov or contact your municipal hall.