(a) In addition to disaster prevention measures as included in the state, local, regional and interjurisdictional disaster plans, the Governor shall consider on a continuing basis steps that could be taken to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of disasters. At his or her direction, and pursuant to any other authority and competence they have, state agencies, including, but not limited to, those charged with responsibilities in connection with floodplain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and land-use planning and construction standards, shall make studies of disaster prevention-related matters. The Governor, from time to time, shall make such recommendation to the Legislature, political subdivisions and other appropriate public and private entities as may facilitate measures for prevention or reduction of the harmful consequences of disasters.
(b) At the request of and in conjunction with the Office of Emergency Services, the divisions of energy, natural resources and highways and any state department insured by the Board of Risk and Insurance Management shall keep land use and construction of structures and other facilities under continuing study and identify areas which are particularly susceptible to severe land shifting, subsidence, flooding or other catastrophic occurrences. Such studies shall concentrate on means of reducing or avoiding the dangers caused by such occurrences and the consequences thereof.
Structure West Virginia Code
Article 5. Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
§15-5-3. Division of Emergency Management Created
§15-5-4b. West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund Disbursement
§15-5-4c. Powers and Duties Related to the West Virginia Disaster Recovery Trust Fund
§15-5-5. General Powers of the Governor
§15-5-6. Emergency Powers of Governor
§15-5-6a. Temporary Suspension of Nutrition Standards in Public Schools
§15-5-8. Local Organization for Emergency Services
§15-5-9. Mutual Aid Agreements
§15-5-10. Regional Organizations for Emergency Services
§15-5-11. Immunity and Exemption; &Quot;duly Qualified Emergency Service Worker" Defined
§15-5-12. Liability to Sheltered Persons
§15-5-13. Appropriations; Acceptance of Services, Gifts, Grants, and Loans
§15-5-14. Political Activity of Emergency Service Organizations
§15-5-15. Emergency Service Personnel
§15-5-15a. Paid Leave for Disaster Service Volunteers
§15-5-15b. Paid Leave for Certain State Officers and Employees During a Declared State of Emergency
§15-5-16. Utilization of Existing Services and Facilities
§15-5-18. Arrest by Peace Officer Without Warrant
§15-5-19a. Possession of Firearms During a Declared State of Emergency
§15-5-20a. Floodplain Manager Training
§15-5-22. Emergency Management Assistance Compact
§15-5-23. Severability; Conflicts
§15-5-24. Disaster Recovery Trust Fund; Disbursement of Funds
§15-5-28. Statewide Mutual Aid System
§15-5-29. Cooperation With State Resiliency Office
§15-5-30. State of Emergency; State of Preparedness; Essential Workers