Whatcom County approves its updated disaster plan, which federal prevention grants require
What happened: The County Council approved an updated plan for cutting disaster losses on Oct. 27, 7 to 0, the draft minutes record.
The plan covers the County and its cities, including Bellingham, the City says.
It lists the hazards most likely here, like floods and earthquakes, and steps to reduce the damage.
FEMA, the federal disaster agency, must approve the plan for local governments to stay eligible for federal prevention money.
That money pays to buy out or raise flood-prone homes. In 2022 the County applied for $11.8 million for 12 buyouts and 12 home raisings, its program page says.
The plan is updated every 5 years. The last one was approved in 2021.
The minutes say the vote could not wait because of a FEMA funding deadline, and so other local governments can approve the plan before it expires Dec. 14.
What's next: the other local governments approve it before Dec. 14, the minutes say. No Bellingham date is on record.