This year’s developing El Niño could rank among the strongest on record, raising concerns about severe weather impacts worldwide. Depending on the region, its effects could include heavy rainfall and destructive flooding, prolonged drought, and added strain on critical infrastructure across the United States (US). For county leaders, understanding these potential impacts and taking proactive steps to protect their communities will be essential.
The National Association of Counties (NACo) webinar, Ready for El Niño: County Strategies for Preparation, Response, and Recovery, will bring together county leaders and emergency management professionals to explore practical ways to manage these risks. As part of this discussion, Hagerty’s Stan Gimont and Lee Mayfield will share insights on the evolving federal disaster landscape and proven approaches to coordinating response efforts, navigating the transition to recovery, and positioning communities for long-term success.
What You Will Learn
The session will explore the following priorities for county leaders:
- Preparing for El Niño impacts: Examine potential hazards associated with El Niño and strategies counties can use to strengthen readiness and protect critical infrastructure.
- Navigating the federal disaster landscape: Understand how evolving federal disaster policies and funding requirements affect county response and recovery operations.
- Bridging response and recovery: Identify practical approaches to coordinate response efforts, transition to recovery, and support lasting community resilience.
Webinar Details
Ready for El Niño: County Strategies for Preparation, Response, and Recovery
December 10, 2026, from 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm (ET)
As counties prepare for increasingly complex disaster scenarios, understanding the intersection of local capabilities and federal disaster assistance will be critical. This session will offer an opportunity to hear from experienced practitioners and gain insights that can help communities navigate future challenges.
Register for the session through NACo.
About Our Team
Stan Gimont is the Senior Advisor for Community Recovery at Hagerty Consulting and a former senior official at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). During his 32-year tenure at HUD, he oversaw key programs and led long-term recovery efforts for major disasters, including hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. He also directed the implementation of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) and HUD’s National Disaster Resilience Competition (NDRC). At Hagerty, Stan provides strategic guidance on HUD programs, housing policy, and community recovery.
Lee Mayfield is a proven emergency management leader with nearly 20 years of experience in disaster planning, response, and recovery – specializing in state and local coordination, training, exercises, mass care, evacuation prioritization, and crisis response. Before joining Hagerty, Lee served as the Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management for Lee County, Florida. There, he supported the county’s response and recovery from Hurricane Irma in 2017. Lee has also held various roles at the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), including State Regional Coordinator, focusing on county-level coordination.