Without list of disaster plans, officials could lose funding

WARREN -- Local officials are being required to submit a list of projects that could ease the impact of future natural disasters, or else face the possibility of losing federal disaster assistance in the future.
The list of projects -- which could include installing outdoor warning sirens, elevating a highways or homes, or improving drainage systems -- will be compiled into a countywide plan with the help of a $34,500 Federal Emergency Management Agency Grant, said Linda Beil, Trumbull County EMA director.
A 2000 federal law requires counties to put together disaster mitigation plans by November or lose eligibility for federal disaster assistance. The plan does not obligate local officials to immediately go about completing the projects.
The timing of the plan is fortunate, in the sense that this summer's flooding has given local officials a good idea of their areas' needs, Trumbull County Commissioner Joseph Angelo Jr. said.
Each city, village and township is required to submit one project for the plan, Beil said.
At a work session for commissioners Tuesday, Angelo asked Beil to send registered letters to each city, village and township informing officials of the need to participate.
The projects will be prioritized at the county level, for possible federal funding in the future, she said.