Morgan and Scott Counties Plan for Future Disasters, Meeting Scheduled

The Morgan and Scott Counties Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee will convene on December 16, 2025 at 2 p.m. in the Jacksonville Municipal Building to advance updates to the counties hazard mitigation plans. The committee, which has been meeting since September, is focused on identifying long term strategies to reduce the region's exposure to severe weather and other disasters, and to ensure local governments meet requirements for federal mitigation funding.

Committee deliberations will consider a range of measures commonly used to lower risk and protect communities. Among the strategies under review are buyouts of flood prone properties to remove homes from recurrent floodplains, drainage improvements to reduce localized flooding, construction of safe rooms for community shelter during extreme storms, and backup power for critical facilities to maintain services during outages. Updating the hazard mitigation plans is a key step for jurisdictions seeking eligibility for federal mitigation grants that fund such projects.

The committee's work responds to a regional history of emergency declarations arising from severe storms, a record that has highlighted vulnerabilities in infrastructure and housing. For Morgan County residents, the planning process has direct implications. Where buyouts are pursued, property owners may face decisions about relocation and compensation. Infrastructure projects can lead to construction impacts in the near term while offering long term reductions in flood risk. Investments in safe rooms and backup power can enhance protection for schools, emergency services, and vulnerable populations.

Maintaining an up to date mitigation plan also strengthens the counties position when applying for competitive federal funding, making it more likely that projects will receive support. The committee includes representatives from both Morgan and Scott Counties and from local jurisdictions across the area, reflecting a coordinated regional approach to risk reduction.

Residents and local officials watching infrastructure and land use changes in coming months should expect continued planning activity as the committee finalizes recommendations. The December 16 meeting in Jacksonville will be the next public step in shaping how the region prepares for and reduces the impacts of future disasters.