AGENDA ITEM EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE
title
Adopt the 2025 Update to the Eno-Haw Hazard Mitigation Plan.
presenter
RESPONSIBLE STAFF, TITLE, DEPARTMENT
Kelly Drayton, Director, Emergency Preparedness and Risk Management
John Richardson, Community Sustainability Manager, Town Manager’s Office
Lance Norris, Director, Public Works Department08. Draft Staff Presentation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
That the Council adopt the resolution to adopt the 2025 Update to the Eno-Haw Hazard Mitigation Plan.
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BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT*
From August 2024 through the spring of 2025, the Town of Chapel Hill participated in the collaborative update of the Eno-Haw Hazard Mitigation Plan. In addition to continuing interlocal cooperation, adopting this plan will allow the Town to remain eligible to receive Federal and State Hazard Mitigation Funding. On August 26th, Orange County adopted a resolution approving this 2025 update.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Collaboration on the plan allows for efficient use of the Town’s resources. There are no direct financial impacts associated with adopting the 2025 Update to the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
According to the plan, “[e]ngagement opportunities were provided through the public survey, the plan website, and stakeholder coordination. Enhanced public outreach and agency coordination efforts were conducted throughout the plan update process in order to meet the more rigorous requirements of the 2017 CRS Coordinator’s Manual, in addition to DMA requirements.”
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE ENO-HAW REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (2025-09-10/R-3)
WHEREAS, the residents and property within the Town of Chapel Hill are subject to the effects of natural hazards that pose threats to lives and cause damage to property, and with the knowledge and experience that certain areas of the region are particularly vulnerable to drought, excessive heat, hurricane and coastal hazards, thunderstorm, tornado, winter weather, flooding, wildfire, hazardous substances, cyber threat, terrorism, and infrastructure failure; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill desires to seek ways to mitigate the impact of identified hazard risks; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of North Carolina has in Article 5, Section 160D-501 of Chapter 160D of the North Carolina General Statutes, delegated to local governmental units the responsibility to adopt regulations designed to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare of its citizenry; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of North Carolina has enacted General Statute Section 166A-19.41 (State emergency assistance funds) which provides that for a state of emergency declared pursuant to G.S. 166A-19.20(a) after the deadline established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency pursuant to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2002, P.L. 106-390, the eligible entity shall have a hazard mitigation plan approved pursuant to the Stafford Act; and.
WHEREAS, Section 322 of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 states that local governments must develop an All-Hazards Mitigation Plan in order to be eligible to receive future Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Funds and other disaster-related assistance funding and that said Plan must be updated and adopted within a five year cycle; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has performed a comprehensive review and evaluation of each section of the previously approved Hazard Mitigation Plan and has updated the said plan as required under regulations at 44 CFR Part 201 and according to guidance issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management.
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Chapel Hil Town Council to fulfill this obligation in order that the Town of Chapel Hill be eligible for federal and state assistance in the event that a state of disaster is declared for a hazard event affecting the County.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby adopts, by way of this resolution, the “Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan” as approved by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management in May 2025.
This the 10th day of September, 2025.
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