Commissioners Court approved an agreement with FEMA to use the IPAWS emergency alert system in Matagorda County at the court’s regular meeting Monday, Nov. 8.
Emergency Management Coordinator Amanda Campos said the IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert and Warning System) will speed emergency alerts to cell phones for county residents.
IPAWS, when implemented in Spring 2022, will replace the longtime STP siren network, Campos said.
IPAWS will be used by the EOC, county, Bay City, and Palacios officials to improve communications with citizens, Campos said.
STP will continue to fund the county’s part in its agreement with FEMA, Campos added.
“I think it will be a great system,” she said.
Precinct 4 Commissioner Bubba Frick asked how the system will work with cell phones.
Campos said emergency messages would be sent “to all partners,” including Facebook and Twitter.
“Can we put out riptide warnings at the beach on that?” asked Sheriff Skipper Osborne and Campos said IPAWS can do that.
(Please see related story with this article)
In other action, the court:
N Approved an agreement with Hyper-Reach Services to provide notification services for IPAWS.
N Canvassed the Nov. 2 constitutional amendment election and the Port of Bay City Authority election for two commissioner positions.
County Clerk Stephanie Wurtz mentioned the election’s low turnout – 8.01% of the county’s 21,303 registered voters – in discussing the vote canvass.
“We need to work toward a better turnout” in next year’s elections, she said.
N Extended the county declaration of disaster for COVID-19.
N Extended the county declaration of disaster for Hurricane Nicholas.
“We still have to recognize (Hurricane Nicholas) as a disaster,” said County Judge Nate McDonald.
“I believe we have reached the threshold for FEMA funds,” he added.
N Approved a resolution authorizing the county to apply for a state Criminal Justice System grant for a License Plate Reader.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Kent Pollard said the constables in his precinct asked the county to fund the reader.
N Approved the Annual Service Award Banquet at Knights of Columbus Hall Saturday, Dec. 11.
N Held a long discussion on a variance request to build a pole barn at lots on Caney Creek Haven subdivision near Sargent.
Environmental Health Director Lisa Krobot said the building wasn’t allowed on the lots that are within county flood plain maps developed on FEMA flood mapping.
Pollard, whose precinct includes the subdivision, said non-compliance of FEMA mapping could cause the county to lose flood insurance protection for residents.
The lot owner said there was no technical justification for the flood zoning, adding the variance is for a barn, not a house.
Commissioners took no action on the request.
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