The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) is working with JEO Consulting Group to update their 2019 Upper Big Blue NRD Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). An HMP is a community-guided document that identifies vulnerability to hazards and mitigation projects to reduce or eliminate this vulnerability. Having an approved and updated plan enables participants to be stronger and more resilient by:

1. Reducing risk and impacts from disasters,
2. Gaining eligibility for pre- and post-disaster mitigation grants, and
3. Building partnerships within the NRD.

Communities, schools, fire departments, and other jurisdictions within Hamilton, Seward, and York counties are invited to participate in this process by attending meetings and providing information for the plan.

This hazard mitigation plan update was funded by a FEMA planning grant. The cost was shared 75% through federal funding and 25% through a local match. For this plan update, the Upper Big Blue NRD, Hamilton County, Seward County, and York County provided the 25% local match.

This planning process includes public meetings to provide an opportunity for participants and interested stakeholders to learn about the plan and provide input. 

Dates for the second round of meetings have been set with information given below. FEMA requires at least one representative from participating jurisdictions attend one of the planning meetings. Each meeting will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours and can be attended in-person or virtually online. If you are joining online, you can access and download your jurisdictions meeting worksheets by visiting this Google Drive link starting May 30: https://bit.ly/UpperBigBlue-GoogleDrive. 

The second round of planning meetings will be held in:

• York: Monday, June 3, 2:00 pm at the Upper Big Blue NRD Board Room, 319 E 25th St, York, NE 68467
  • Or Join Online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88311079852
• Seward: Monday, June 3, 7:00 pm at the Seward County Extension Building, 322 S 14th St, Seward, NE 68434
  • Or Join Online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85987049847
• Aurora: Wednesday, June 5, 7:00 pm at the Aurora Fire Department, 906 13th St, Aurora, NE 68818
  • Or Join Online at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82817205638

Please RSVP to one of the meetings by contacting Anthony Kohel, JEO Planner, at (402) 474-8753 or akohel@jeo.com.

As part of the hazard mitigation plan update, the planning team is seeking public input on hazards that impact Hamilton, Seward, and York Counties. The information provided through the survey responses will guide the planning team as they identify mitigation actions that help reduce risk. To take the survey visit: https://forms.office.com/r/XCeG9ZXkc9. 

A copy of the approved 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan sections may be downloaded below:

Upper Big Blue Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Upfront

Hamilton County Participant Sections

Seward County Participant Sections

York County Participant Sections

Special Districts Participant Sections

General Resources

• Upper Big Blue NRD Website
• Drought Monitor 
• National Weather Service 
• National Centers for Environmental Information
• Hamilton County Emergency Management
• Seward County Emergency Management
• York County Emergency Management
• Nebraska Emergency Management
• FEMA VII: Mitigation