Hazard Mitigation Plan

The purpose of mitigation planning is to identify policies and actions that can be implemented over the long term to reduce risk and future losses. Mitigation Plans form the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. The planning process is as important as the plan itself. It creates a framework for risk-based decision making to reduce damage to lives, property and the economy from future disasters. State, Local and Tribal governments benefit from Mitigation Planning by:

• Identifying cost effective actions for risk reduction that are agreed upon by stakeholders and the public.
• Focusing resources on the greatest risks and vulnerabilities.
• Building partnerships by involving people, organizations and businesses.
• Increasing education and awareness of hazards and risk.
• Communicating priorities to state and federal officials.
• Aligning risk reduction with other community objectives.

What is the Benefit of a Hazard Mitigation Plan to Local Governments?

Local Governments who adopt a hazard plan may be eligible for the following benefits:

• A more disaster-resistant and resilient community/region.
• Hazard mitigation assistance programs, including Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs, Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Flood Mitigation Assistance and Severe Repetitive Loss Grant Programs.
• Points under the National Flood Insurance Program's Community Rating System (CRS)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mitigation Planning?

Mitigation planning is a process through which communities assess risks and identify actions to reduce vulnerability to hazards through hazard mitigation.

What is a Mitigation plan?

A Mitigation Plan is a community-driven, living document that communities use to reduce their vulnerability to hazards.

Why assess and plan for risk?

The plan and its process show the link between land-use decisions and vulnerability. It serves as a tool to be used by planners or other officials to advise and inform decision makers.

What is the Stafford Act?

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288), as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, provides the legal basis for State, Local, and Indian Tribal governments to obtain Federal assistance during declared major disasters and emergencies.

Guidance and Regulations

• FEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning
• Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #1, Getting Started: Building Support for Mitigation Planning (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #2, Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #3, Developing the Mitigation Plan: Identifying Mitigation Actions and Implementation Strategies (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #4, Bringing the Plan To Life: Implementing the Hazard Mitigation Plan (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #5, Using Benefit-Cost Review in Mitigation Planning(PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #6, Integrating Historic Property and Cultural Resource Considerations into Hazard Mitigation Planning (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #7, Integrating Manmade Hazards into Mitigation Planning (PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #8, Multi-Jurisdictional Mitigation Planning State and Local(PDF)
• FEMA How To Guide #9, Using the Hazard Mitigation Plan to Prepare Successful Mitigation Projects (PDF)
• Planning for a Sustainable Future (PDF)
• Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Handbook (PDF)
• Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines (PDF)
• 44CFR Interim Rule (PDF)
• FEMA Mitigation Directorate