How Do You Comment on the Five County Hazard Mitigation Plan? Quick Answer
Email or call Mike Johnson at the Five County Association of Governments by Nov. 2, 2026. The draft Five County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan is open for a 14-day public comment period that began Tuesday, Oct. 20, and ends Nov. 2. You can read the full draft, or individual chapters and county annexes, at fivecounty.utah.gov/hazardmitigationplan. To comment or ask questions, contact Mike Johnson at [email protected] or 435-673-3548, ext. 165.
What the Plan Is
The plan covers Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane and Washington counties for the 2027-2032 planning period and updates the region's 2022-2027 plan. The association says its purpose is to increase community resilience to identified natural hazards through local action. The draft defines hazard mitigation as sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property.
A FEMA-approved local mitigation plan is a condition of eligibility for certain FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance funding and some non-emergency Stafford Act assistance. The draft notes that approval does not guarantee funding for any project. The update was prepared by the association and participating jurisdictions with technical support from the consulting firm IEM.
The 14 Hazards It Covers
The draft profiles 14 natural hazards and applies all 14 to every participant in Washington and Iron counties. No community in either county opted out of any hazard. The regional probability ratings in the draft are:
- Highly Likely (expected one or more times a year somewhere in the region): drought, extreme heat, hail, wildfire, winter storms
- Likely (at least once in 10 years): damaging winds, flooding, landslides
- Occasional (once in 10 to 100 years): damaging earthquakes
- Unlikely (less than once in 100 years): dam failure
The other four hazards, problem soils, radon gas, thunderstorms and lightning, and tornadoes, are profiled too. These ratings are regional. The draft says they do not mean every county or property faces the same risk each year.
Washington County
Participants are Washington County and the cities and towns of St. George, Washington, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Ivins, La Verkin, Enterprise, Toquerville, Leeds, Virgin, Springdale, New Harmony, Rockville, Apple Valley and Hildale. Points from the Washington County annex and the regional risk assessment:
- Flooding: The Virgin River, Santa Clara River, Fort Pearce Wash and many other washes cross the county's main population centers, roads and utilities. The annex cites multiple flood and flash flood events in the county from 2022 to 2025.
- Problem soils: Expansive, collapsible, saline and locally gypsum-rich soils are found in the St. George-Hurricane urban corridor and surrounding communities.
- Winter storms: Snow accumulation is less frequent in lower-elevation communities, but storms remain possible, especially at higher elevations.
- Growth: The county grew from 180,279 people in 2020 to an estimated 213,670 in 2025. The draft says growth could add exposure to flooding, wildfire, drought, extreme heat and other hazards if development puts people or buildings in hazard-prone areas, but that records do not establish an observed increase.
Iron County
Participants are Iron County, Brian Head, Cedar City, Enoch, Paragonah and Parowan. Kanarraville appears for geographic context only. In the Iron County annex, the draft notes that the county's effective regulatory flood maps are based largely on 1980s information, and that newer studies and LiDAR data are being used to improve flood-risk understanding. The regional risk assessment expects Iron County to keep seeing winter storms in both valleys and higher elevations, including rapid snow squalls that create dangerous driving conditions.
What Residents Said So Far
A public survey presented at the plan's June 30, 2026 risk assessment meeting drew 51 responses. Respondents named drought, extreme heat, wildfire and high winds as leading concerns and emphasized public education and water conservation.
For local emergency contacts, see our emergency services guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the comment period end?
Nov. 2, 2026. It opened Oct. 20.
How do I submit a comment?
Contact Mike Johnson at [email protected] or 435-673-3548, ext. 165.
Which hazards does the plan cover for St. George and Cedar City?
All 14: dam failure, damaging winds, drought, earthquake, extreme heat, flooding, hail, landslide, problem soils, radon gas, thunderstorms and lightning, tornadoes, wildfire and winter storms.
Why does the plan matter?
A FEMA-approved plan is required for certain FEMA mitigation grants. It also sets the actions each community intends to take from 2027 to 2032.
Sources
- Utah Public Notice Website: 14-day Comment Period for the Five County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update (posted Oct. 19, 2026)
- Five County Association of Governments: Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
- Draft plan: Executive Summary and Introduction (PDF)
- Draft plan: Risk Assessment (PDF)
- Draft plan: Washington County Annex (PDF)
- Draft plan: Iron County Annex (PDF)
Published October 21, 2026.
