Hazards & Disasters

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Plan for Hazards

Racine County is not immune to natural and man-made hazards. Learn how to plan ahead for these hazards by visiting the webpages on the left.

Hazard Mitigation

Racine County maintains a Countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan that aligns with and supports both County and local hazard mitigation activities. Developed in collaboration with the Southeast Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the maintenance and update of this plan helps to make our county safer and more resilient.

As the Racine County Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated, we are seeking the public’s input. A link to the plan, as well as a form for submitting comments or questions, can be found on SEWRPC's website here.

Reduce Your Risk

While it is important for you to protect yourself and your families from emergencies, it is also important to protect your property. Here are some of the steps you can take:

Get insurance. Review your renters or homeowner's insurance policy to understand what is covered from hazards. For example, protection against loss due to floods is typically not covered under a homeowner's policy.
Hire a professional. Hire a licensed Registered Architect or Professional Engineer to check the condition of your property. These professionals also can determine the best option for retrofitting to your home, which means altering the existing structure to reduce or eliminate the possibility of damage.
Clean your property, including your roof, crawlspaces, vents, decks/patios, and gutters, and dispose of any debris that could become projectiles during a storm. Tip: if severe weather is expected in your area, tie down any loose items, such as outdoor furniture, that may become projectiles.

Selecting a Safe Tornado Shelter

Tornadoes are nature's most devastating and deadliest storm and will wreak havoc on a community. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) developed a booklet and checklist that will aid qualified architects and engineers in the identification of the best available refuge areas in existing buildings.

Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Area in Buildings (PDF)

Best Available Refuge Area (BARA) Checklist (PDF)

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