Hazard mitigation planning creates a framework for governments to reduce the negative impacts from future disasters on lives, property, the economy and the environment. When creating or updating a hazard mitigation strategy/plan a community identifies hazards and vulnerabilities, sets goals, and identifies potential mitigation projects. Effective mitigation strategies provide documentation of valuable local knowledge on the most efficient and effective ways to reduce losses from hazard events. For example, a strategy may articulate specific actions, such as acquisition or elevation of structures, to help reduce impacts from flooding. Creating and implementing hazard mitigation strategies is one of the most effective ways to protect a community’s residents and property, and is nearly always more cost effective than repairing the damage after a storm event.
- Local mitigation planning requirements are outlined in Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
- To learn how to create a risk mitigation strategy, see the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s useful Developing the Mitigation Plan guide. See especially, Section 2: Identify and Prioritize Mitigation Actions.
Alabama
- Specific risk mitigation strategies are likely to be site specific. For technical assistance, contact the Alabama Department of Environmental Management or the State of Alabama Emergency Management Agency’s Mitigation Branch.
Florida
- The Florida Division of Emergency Management will provide technical assistance to counties and municipalities that are creating or revising their local mitigation strategies. Contact information can be found on their local mitigation strategy page
- If you’re working with historic buildings or neighborhoods, be sure to see Disaster Planning for Florida’s Historic Resources, a project funded by the Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
- Risk mitigation strategies are likely to be site specific. For technical assistance, contact the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Louisiana
- Specific risk mitigation strategies are likely to be site specific. For technical assistance, contact the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources’ Coastal Zone Management.
Mississippi
- Specific risk mitigation strategies are likely to be site specific. For technical assistance, contact the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources or the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency.
Texas
- Specific risk mitigation strategies are likely to be site specific. For technical assistance, contact the the Texas General Land Office or the Texas Department of Public Safety.
* Your community needs only 500 points to qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS). For more information (including how to apply for the CRS program), see our Community Rating System (CRS) primer.
Notes from the folks at CRS:
“Identifying and reviewing possible mitigation activities, and developing a mitigation action plan can receive credit under Activity 510 Floodplain Management Planning. For each recommendation, the action plan must identify who does what, when it will be done, and how it will be financed.”