Last week, the Fulton County Quorum Court voted to remain the final county in the state to not have a plan if a disaster strikes.
According to a report by KAIT, in a 5-4 vote, Court members voted to block County Judge Kenneth Crow from pursuing a hazard mitigation plan. This leaves Fulton County the only county in Arkansas without plans to create or already have a hazard mitigation plan in place.
A hazard mitigation plan helps a county understand what affects a man-made or natural disaster could have on the county and how they could mitigate some issues before one could strike. Crow says the plan would have helped the county identify hazards they face along with which ones to mitigate first.
The judge said not only does not having a hazard mitigation plan in place take away grant opportunities for the county, but it also could put lives at risk.
Crow stated the county needs to be prepared for hazards and encourages residents with an opinion to reach out to their Justice of the Peace. He says, “We have to get the folks that see the benefit of those to get involved and let their JPs know what their wishes are.” Crow added if a hazard mitigation plan would hurt the county, he wouldn’t do it.
Crow states he plans to take some time before reintroducing the plan to the Quorum Court.
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