Hazard Mitigation Strategy Workshop on Thursday

The County of Santa Barbara is seeking the public’s feedback on mitigation strategies that will be included in the 2022 Santa Barbara County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) Update. The MJHMP is updated every five years to prepare the county for changing and dynamic hazards, identifying vulnerable communities and structures and preparing detailed mitigation goals. 

The first public workshop for the MJHMP was hosted on April 7, 2021 and covered the goals, components, and timeline of the project. This second public workshop will be hosted virtually at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 4. During the meeting, the team will present draft mitigation strategies and solicit public feedback to refine and add to the mitigation measures. 

“Over the past five years, we’ve seen a wide range of hazards that presented new challenges, including wildfires, mudflows, and a pandemic. Seeking public input is important to this process of updating mitigation strategies to address ongoing hazards designed to protect the county for the next five years.”   — Kelly Hubbard, Director, County Office of Emergency Management

The mitigation measures are meant to address specific hazards, including floods, wildfires, and earthquakes, as well as larger ongoing efforts, such as community resiliency and outreach. Mitigation measures can include development standards, action items, and programs.

Throughout development of the plan, the County Office of Emergency Management has been working closely with the county’s eight incorporated cities, Cachuma Operations and Maintenance Board, Carpinteria Valley Water District, Montecito Fire Protection District, Montecito Water District, Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District, and several nonprofits. The collaborators met four times this year to identify and rank hazards, analyze public feedback from a recent survey, and identify existing vulnerabilities throughout the county. 

The project is hosted on ReadySBC.org and includes a link to attend the meeting, more information about the project, a link to sign up for email alerts, and a project timeline. Development of the MJHMP started in early 2021 and a public draft plan is expected early next year.

For questions, contact the County Office of Emergency Management at (805) 681-5526.