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MITIGATION

MITIGATION

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters and emergencies. Mitigation involves structural and non-structural measures taken to limit the impact of disasters and emergencies. Structural mitigation actions change the characteristics of buildings or the environment; examples include flood control projects, raising building elevations, and clearing areas around structures. 

The Lake of the Woods County MHMP is a multi-jurisdictional plan that covers Lake of the Woods County, including the cities of Baudette and Williams.  The Lake of the Woods County MHMP also incorporates the concerns and needs of townships, school districts, and other stakeholders participating in the plan.  

Lake of the Woods County is vulnerable to a variety of potential natural disasters, which threaten the loss of life and property in the county. The plan addresses how to mitigate against hazards such as tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, blizzards, straight-line winds, ice storms, and droughts which have the potential for inflicting vast economic loss and personal hardship.   

Hazard mitigation planning ultimately helps us protect Lake of the Woods County residents. By working with local communities, we can identify vulnerabilities and develop strategies to reduce or eliminate the effects of a potential hazard.   

National Flood Insurance Program: https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance 

Floods can happen anywhere — just once inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage. Most homeowner’s insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is a separate policy that can cover buildings, the contents in a building, or both, so it is important to protect your most important financial assets — your home, your business, your possessions.  

How to Purchase Flood Insurance 

To purchase flood insurance, call your insurance company or insurance agent, the same person who sells your home or auto insurance. If you need help finding a provider, go to: FloodSmart.gov/find or call the NFIP at 877-336-2627. 

Wildfire Prevention: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/wildfire/prevention/index.html 

Firewise in Minnesota: https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/firewise/index.html 

Firewise addresses the risk of homes in the wildland/urban interface to wildland fire. 

As more homes are built in the woods and fields of Minnesota, the existing firefighting resources are less able to protect everyone’s property while trying to control a wildfire. 

Homes close to evergreens and the tall grasses of prairies or marshes are most at risk. Making your home able to survive an approaching wildfire is the goal of the Firewise program. 

Minnesota has adopted the national Firewise program. From this page you will find links to some of the national Firewise sites and all of the Minnesota-related Firewise sites, plus general wildfire information. 

 Insert County Plan and NWA Plan 

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
CONTACT

Jill Hasbargen Olson Emergency Management Director 
Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office 

206 8th Ave Se Suite 300 
Baudette, MN 56623 

jill_o@co.lotw.mn.us
Cell: 218-202-0771 
Fax: 218-634-1144

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MEETINGS & TRAININGS

1st of Every Month

Monthly Testing CodeRED Phone System

1st Wednesday of Every Month

Monthly Testing of the Warning Sirens in City of Baudette & City of Williams

Monthly Testing of the IPAWS Notification System