CAPE MAY COUNTY, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — FEMA has accepted Cape May County's hazard mitigation plan, and for the first time it addresses climate change and sea level rise.
The new plan is the most significant and long term approach to hazard mitigation in the county's history. Not only did it get approval from FEMA, but it was called "a job well done." It takes into account current challenges as well as those that may arise down the road because it can be constantly updated.
Cape May County Director of Emergency Management Marty Pagliughi said more than 1,000 hours of work from multiple agencies went into the plan, addressing sea level rise and climate change.
"Whether you believe in it or not, it's happening," he said. "What we tried to do is make this plan a work in progress with a new software program that all 16 municipalities can continue to upgrade their resiliency projects."
Counties need to update the hazard plan every five years. Pagliughi says this new system of frequent updates makes towns and the county more nimble and able to respond quickly when something happens like a flood, major storm or wildfires.
And for the first time, there is a protocol in place for a pandemic.