EL PASO, Texas – (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 Recent heavy rains in El Paso left streets flooded and sent emergency crews across the city, as local officials work to update a long-term plan aimed at reducing the impact of future disasters.<\/p>\n
The city and county Office of Emergency Management is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan, a five-year plan designed to identify risks, assess vulnerabilities and set actions to lessen damage from disasters.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tool that we use to ID hazards, assess any community vulnerabilities, and establish actions to reduce future disaster impacts,\u201d said Armando Valencia, emergency management coordinator for the Office of Emergency Management.<\/p>\n
Flash flooding is a key focus of the plan, but officials said it also addresses other severe weather events such as extreme heat and windstorms.<\/p>\n
During one round of storms late last month, El Paso Fire responded to 89 flood-related calls. <\/p>\n
RELATED: El Paso Fire Department responds to 89 flood-related calls amid storms<\/a><\/p>\n Officials reported vehicles getting stuck in floodwater and homes taking on water.<\/p>\n \u201cSome of the departments around the city, they\u2019re dealing with those issues that we\u2019ve been having, such as street flooding, damage to the streets,\u201d Valencia said.<\/p>\n Valencia said a public meeting held last month about the plan drew limited attendance, which he believes was partly due to the weather.<\/p>\n Two more meetings are planned in the coming months, and Valencia said the meetings are intended to give residents a chance to help shape how the Office of Emergency Management responds to disasters over the next five years.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to identify if any new hazards have come up. Also, if anything needs to be added, removed or reprioritized,\u201d Valencia said. <\/p>\n \u201cThe plan is good for five years. We\u2019re hoping that the other departments, the other jurisdictions, they follow through with their mitigation planning.\u201d<\/p>\n Valencia said he expects a final updated plan around March 2027. <\/p>\n Residents can also provide input through an online survey, found here.<\/a><\/p>\n RELATED: Floodwaters inundate Lower Valley home, soaking backyard and bedroom<\/a><\/p>\n