Background & overview

County Hazard Mitigation Plans

A county hazard mitigation plan is a FEMA-approved document that identifies a county's risks from natural and human-caused disasters and outlines strategies to reduce those risks to save lives and property. It includes a hazard identification and risk assessment, which forms the basis for a mitigation strategy with specific actions and an implementation plan to guide the county toward greater resilience. These plans are required for a county to receive certain types of federal disaster assistance funding and demonstrate a commitment to hazard mitigation principles.

Understanding HMPs

Components

Hazard identification and risk assessment: This section identifies potential threats, such as floods, earthquakes, and wildfires, and assesses the likelihood and potential impact on the community's people, buildings, and infrastructure.
Mitigation strategy: Based on the risk assessment, this part outlines long-term goals for risk reduction. It includes specific mitigation actions, such as acquiring flood-prone properties or strengthening public buildings, and describes how these actions will be prioritized, implemented, and administered.
Implementation plan: This details how the mitigation actions will be carried out, including timelines and responsible parties.
Community involvement: The planning process includes opportunities for public input and collaboration with stakeholders like local governments, businesses, and organizations.

Value

Why are they important?

Eligibility for funding: A FEMA-approved plan is a mandatory requirement for a county to be eligible for certain non-emergency disaster assistance grants, including funding for mitigation projects.
Reduces disaster impact: By proactively addressing risks, these plans help a county become more resilient to disasters, leading to less damage and a quicker recovery.
Guides decision-making: The plan provides a blueprint for reducing long-term risks and can guide land use and development decisions.
Aligns efforts: It helps align risk reduction efforts with other community planning goals and communicates priorities to potential funders.

Access

County Hazard Mitigation Plans

Components

Why are they important?

PA County Hazard Mitigation Plans