The Lake of the Ozarks Council of Local Governments is seeking Miller County residents to participate in the Miller County Hazard Mitigation Survey of 2018.
Whether residents have experienced a natural disaster, are worried about the occurrence of such or think everything is going just fine, the council wants to know. The survey is meant to assess the occurrence of natural disasters in the county and the need for Federal Emergency Management Agency aid to alleviate the risks of natural disasters, such as tornadoes and floods.
"Participation in the Hazard Mitigation Plan allows communities to have access to the FEMA dollars for mitigation activities," Linda Conner, LOCLG's executive director, said. "We are documenting what has happened in the past, and also documenting what the communities feel are important for them in the future that they may apply for FEMA funds to mitigate an issue."
Conner said natural disasters aren't often reported in rural areas unless residents file insurance claims or apply for aid from FEMA. The survey is meant to collect otherwise missing data to assess Miller County's vulnerability to natural disasters.
In the past, participation resulted in Eldon and Iberia school districts receiving FEMA disaster mitigation funding to install tornado safe rooms. Tornado response became a major concern after the 2011 Joplin tornado put their destructive power on display.
Similar issues have already been addressed in the current survey. "The Tuscumbia school district and the St. Elizabeth school district, as well as the Osage School District, have already indicated that they also feel that (tornado safe rooms) would help their student populations in the event of a disaster," Conner said.
The survey is available online at surveymonkey.com/r/MillerHMP2018. The deadline to participate is Nov. 30.