Citrus County unlocks key funding through FEMA-approved Local Mitigation Strategy plan

October 1, 2025

Citrus County has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its updated Local Mitigation Strategy (LMS) plan, effective for five years from Sept. 15, 2025.

The LMS plan is Citrus County’s comprehensive, countywide hazard mitigation strategy, required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. It inventories local risks such as flooding, wind, wildfire and severe storms, identifies critical facilities and vulnerable areas, and prioritizes mitigation projects.

Fire Chief Craig Stevens explains the significance of this achievement:

“FEMA’s approval of our LMS Plan is a big success for Citrus County and both the Cities of Crystal River and Inverness. It validates the hard work of our team, stakeholders, and community partners and opens the door to federal grant dollars for projects that will reduce risk, protect our residents, and make our community more resilient before the next storm.”

How a FEMA-approved LMS plan benefits residents

With an approved plan, Citrus County can pursue funding to:

  • Elevate or acquire repeatedly flooded structures
  • Improve stormwater and drainage systems
  • Strengthen critical facilities and emergency services infrastructure
  • Reduce wildfire and wind vulnerabilities
  • Invest in projects that lower long-term disaster costs and community disruption

How the LMS plan was developed

The latest LMS update was created through a collaborative, data-driven process led by the LMS Working Group. The group includes multiple county departments in addition to:

  • The cities of Crystal River and Inverness
  • Citrus County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management
  • Citrus County School Board
  • Duke Energy
  • Florida Forest Service
  • Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council
  • Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative

County Administrator Steve Howard added, “I applaud everyone’s efforts in working together to make Citrus stronger, and I look forward to the competitive state and federal funding opportunities this opens up.”
 

Contact  
Cortney Marsh, Communications Specialist

cortney.marsh@citruscountyfire.com