Floods, tornados and wildland fires are a part of life in South Dakota. Now, the state hazard mitigation office has updates to its emergency response policies in sight.
The office is under the umbrella of the Department of Public Safety, and the state hazard mitigation plan is updated every five years.
Hazard mitigation officer Jim Poppen said they’re assessing a half a decade worth of the state’s data.
“When we look at the different hazard risks, we look at severe summer storms, severe winter storms, flooding – some our larger events we have across our state," Poppen said. "Then we look at different possibilities and mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate the risk to our citizens and the property of South Dakota.”
Poppen said when it comes to emergencies, plan by committee.
“A planning team of different state and federal partners go through and review the current plan and look at any of the changes to the hazards or the different things we as the planning team would like to try to implement in mitigation," Poppen said. "We’re excited to be at the point where it’s ready for public comment.”
But that comment window closes New Years Day.
“We’ve established a story map where the public can review a few of the bullets of where the plan is and what areas does it cover? Then there’s also a direct link to the public comment form,” Poppen said.
The plan, if approved, will next need to be approved by FEMA and state government. Find the full plan on the Department of Public Safety's website.