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One of the most important steps that a community can take to prepare for any kind of disaster is
to establish relationships with other groups and agencies before a flood occurs. The list
below includes the county and state agencies that are involved in managing flooding. In addition
to county and state partners, it is important to develop formal or informal agreements with
neighboring communities and with suppliers who you may need to call on to provide assistance or
materials during a flood.
Emergency Management
www.countyofdane.com/ems
This department provides and improves public safety by enabling individuals, groups, and communities
to effectively plan for and manage hazards associated with major emergencies and disasters. These
potential hazards include natural hazards, terrorism, and hazardous materials. This department is
the lead agency in devising Dane County’s Flood Mitigation Plan.
Dane County Emergency Management can help communities plan for disasters by working with local
governments to develop hazard mitigation plans and local response plans; help communities apply for
grants to fund planning and flood mitigation projects; help communities provide flood damage prevention
outreach to local residents; and provide guidance and technical assistance to communities preparing to
face a flood. This website is the first source for that assistance. If you have questions that were not
answered by this website or if you would like more direct assistance, call the Dane County Emergency
Management office at (608) 266-4330.
Land and Water Resources: Land Conservation Division
www.countyofdane.com/landconservation
The Dane County Land and Water Resources: Land Conservation Division coordinates soil and water
conservation efforts in the County. The Department is also responsible for technical matters in the
implementation of the County’s Erosion Control and Stormwater Management ordinance. In addition, the
Department is currently providing contractual services to five municipalities in Dane County to assist
them with the enforcement and implementation of local ordinances.
Land and Water Resources: Office of Lakes and Watersheds
www.danewaters.com
The Dane County Board established a permanent Lakes and Watershed Commission in 1988. The Wisconsin
State Legislature defined the Commission's special powers, composition, duties and organization in 1990.
A coordinating and advisory agency within Dane County government, the Commission's charge is to protect
and improve water quality, as well as the scenic, economic, recreational, and environmental value of
Dane County's water resources.
Planning and Development
www.countyofdane.com/plandev/
The Dane County Planning and Development Department is manages floodplain zoning regulated through
the county’s
Floodplain Zoning Ordinance
for the unincorporated areas of Dane County. It also manages unincorporated Dane County’s
participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Department of Natural Resources (DNR): Floodplain Management Program
dnr.wi.gov/org/water/
By State law and administrative rule, the DNR sets standards and regulates water resources in
Wisconsin. The DNR’s oversight extends to setting standards that the County, local units of
government, and individual landowners must conform to for floodplain management, shoreland
management, dam safety, waterways and wetlands, and surface and groundwater quality.
The DNR Floodplain Management Program manages the state’s floodplain management programs. Those
programs include floodplain and zoning, regulations and mapping. The Floodplain Management Program
also manages Wisconsin’s participation in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and administers
one large flood mitigation grant: The
Municipal Flood Control Grant Program.
The DNR Floodplain Management Program can assist communities by providing guidance on meeting state
floodplain and shoreland management regulations; participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program; and applying for Municipal Flood Control Grants.
Wisconsin Emergency Management
emergencymanagement.wi.gov
WEM oversees the FEMA and the State’s three Hazard Mitigation Programs:
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP),
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA), and the
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM). WEM collaborates
with state and federal entities through the Wisconsin Hazard Mitigation Team in order to improve
Wisconsin’s disaster resistance. The team has developed the State of Wisconsin Hazard Mitigation
Plan to carry out actions identified to reduce vulnerability to hazards throughout Wisconsin. This
Plan recommends actions at the state level.
WEM can assist communities by providing information about flood mitigation projects and grants.
WEM can also provide communities with guidance for developing a Flood Mitigation Plan or an
All-Hazards Mitigation Plan.
Consider entering into cooperative agreements or memorandums of understanding with neighboring
communities. You might make arrangements to assist one another in disaster response and recovery,
or you might consider joint flood reduction projects.
It is far easier to get the supplies you need during an emergency if you get to know your
suppliers ahead of time. This especially includes suppliers of materials to create sandbag
levees (e.g., sand, polyethylene, etc). Contact Dane County Emergency Management at
(608) 266-4330 if you have questions about how to contact suppliers.
Following a flood, the American Red Cross, Badger Chapter
and the Salvation Army can provide
vouchers for emergency items, such as temporary housing, medication, cooking utensils, and basic
household furnishings/ Additionally, they can support response personnel with mobile feeding (canteening).
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office will
take referrals to check on disabled or elderly persons in possible danger. The
Area Agency of Aging can provide support and referrals
for the elderly.
Revised: October 18, 2007
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