Local committee updates hazard plans, aims to protect Morgan County residents
A regional hazard mitigation committee will meet November 18 in Jacksonville to update plans addressing severe weather and other natural hazards across Morgan and Scott counties. The effort seeks to identify past damage, prioritize projects, and provide a single reference for local officials and emergency responders to better protect residents and infrastructure.
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A multi jurisdictional team will spend the coming months working to reduce damage from severe weather and other natural hazards in Morgan and Scott counties, beginning with a public meeting set for 2 p.m. on November 18 at the Jacksonville Municipal Building, 200 W. Douglas Ave. The Morgan and Scott Counties Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee will update existing plans that guide local preparedness, response and long term risk reduction.
The committee brings together representatives from county and municipal governments, healthcare, education, fire protection districts and emergency services. Scheduled participants include representatives of Morgan and Scott counties, Alsey, Chapin, Franklin, Glasgow, Jacksonville, Jacksonville Memorial Hospital, Manchester, Meredosia, Meredosia Bluffs Rescue, Murrayville, Murrayville Fire Protection District, Murrayville Woodson EAS, North Scott Fire Protection District, Pike Scott Farm Bureau, South Jacksonville, Waverly Fire Protection District, West Central Joint ETSB, Winchester, Winchester schools, Winchester Volunteer Fire Department, Woodson and Woodson Fire Protection District.
Officials say the first task is to document how often severe weather has occurred locally and to catalog the types of damage those events produced. "The goal of this committee meeting is to identify how often severe weather events occur within the counties and what kinds of damage has resulted. Based on this information, we will compile lists of activities and projects to reduce damage caused by these events," said Phil McCarty, director of the Jacksonville Morgan County Office of Emergency Management.
The update will address a broad range of natural hazards that have impacted residents and public infrastructure. The effort will look at severe thunderstorms producing damaging winds or hail, tornadoes, snow and ice storms, floods, drought, extreme cold and excessive heat. Planners intend to assemble mitigation actions and project lists that can guide investments in safer buildings, improved drainage, communications and the readiness of first responders.
Officials frame the updated plans as working tools for elected leaders, emergency managers and community institutions such as schools and hospitals. "These plans will be our best resources for determining how to mitigate damage from storms and other natural hazards. After the plans are updated, comprehensive information will be available in one document to help guide those who are making decisions about how to better protect residents," McCarty said.
Meetings of the planning committee are open to the public, and those who are interested can provide comments or send questions. The public session on November 18 offers an opportunity for residents, business owners and local institutions to share recent experience and concerns so that mitigation priorities reflect local needs. For Morgan County residents, the process offers a direct way to influence which projects and protective measures receive attention and funding in the months ahead.
