Cedar County – Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

About the project

The Cedar County Iowa Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is being updated to identify and reduce the impacts of natural hazards that pose risks to our communities. Natural hazards include events such as floods, severe storms, tornadoes, drought, and extreme temperatures that can threaten lives, property, and local infrastructure.

The plan outlines strategies and actions to help the county and its communities prepare for and lessen the effects of these hazards before disasters occur. Developed in coordination with local jurisdictions, emergency management officials, and state and federal partners, the HMP reflects input from residents and stakeholders throughout the planning process.

Once approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the plan will help participating jurisdictions (i.e., county, cities, and school districts) remain eligible for federal funding to implement mitigation projects that reduce future disaster losses.

Cedar County Emergency Management hired JEO Consulting Group to guide and facilitate the HMP process. This plan update is being funded by a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) grant, which includes 75% federal funding and 25% local match. The local match is being provided through in-kind time documented by jurisdictions and emergency management.

For more information about Cedar County Emergency Management, please visit their website here.

Get Involved

Community input is a vital part of this process. Residents, business owners, and local organizations are encouraged to share their experiences, concerns, and ideas for reducing hazard risks. FEMA requires at least one representative from participating jurisdictions to attend one of the planning meetings. Each meeting will last approximately one hour and can be attended in-person or online.

The first round of public meetings was held on December 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the Cedar County Courthouse basement (400 Cedar Street, Tipton, Iowa 52772). You can access and download your jurisdiction’s meeting worksheets by visiting the Google Drive link here. A recording of the meeting and the presentation slides are also available in the Google Drive folder.

The second round of public meetings will be held on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the Cedar County Courthouse basement (400 Cedar St, Tipton, IA 52772). This will be a hybrid meeting. You can also join online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89739337568 (Meeting ID: 897 3933 7568).

We ask that the second round of worksheets be submitted no later than Friday, March 13. You can submit worksheets by emailing Ruva Tsoka at rtsoka@jeo.com or sending a copy of the worksheets to:

               Attn: Ruva Tsoka

               11213 Davenport St, STE 200

               Omaha, NE 68154

We are seeking community input on hazards to be evaluated in the HMP and on the types of activities that should be considered to reduce future impacts. Please take the survey here.

General Resources