The Scott County Sheriff’s Office is updating the county’s multi-hazard mitigation plan and is seeking input from residents and area businesses.

All public entities face various natural hazards, including tornadoes, straight-line winds, ice storms, blizzards, flooding, wildfires and droughts. Having a proactive hazard mitigation plan is needed to reduce economic losses and minimize hardships, according to the sheriff’s office.

Residents are invited to a public meeting being held Tuesday, April 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. in Room 166 of the Scott County Government Center, 200 Fourth Ave. West, Shakopee.

Participants can share which natural hazards they believe pose the greatest risk to local communities, personal experiences with natural disasters and suggestions for actions needed to reduce the impacts of future disasters. The updated plan will be developed with input from county departments and municipalities, schools and other key stakeholders.

Residents unable to attend the meeting can submit suggestions by emailing Deputy Emergency Manager Director Bob Lane at rlane@co.scott.mn.us or call (952) 496-8181.

A draft of the updated plan will be posted on the county website for public review prior to it being submitted to the State of Minnesota.