Henry and Stark Counties are at risk of a variety of natural hazards, ranging from fires and floods to earthquakes.

To guide local officials in recovering after a disaster, there is a “hazard mitigation plan,” and the City Council formally adopted that plan at Monday’s meeting.

The 168-page plan was prepared by the Bi-State Regional Commission, the Henry County Office of Emergency Management and the North Central Illinois Council of Governments.

It includes details of fires, floods, dam failures drought, earthquake, extreme heat, extreme storms, severe weather and tornadoes that have occurred in the two counties.

The report indicates the degree of risk of any of these catastrophes occurring locally. The risk from severe storms is relatively high; the risk of an earthquake is relatively low.

The disaster plan doesn’t present any financial obligations for the city.

Mayor Gary Moore pointed out that there has been a disaster plan in place for several years and it is updated from time to time.

Moore also said Mat Schnepple, Henry County’s director of emergency management, has been a valuable asset in managing such events as the EF-1 tornadoes that hit Kewanee in the summer of 2024.

Also Monday, the council approved a variance to the allowed height of an accessory structure at 418 W. South St.

Debra Kopp wants to put up a pole building on the lot to house personal vehicles like tractors, boats, snowmobiles, cars and pickup trucks.

The lot is at the corner of West South Street and Beach Street. Moore said he had concerns that the taller building might interfere with visibility for drivers, but when he visited the site he didn’t see any concerns.