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Emergency Info

Risk Mitigation

Reducing disaster risks before they happen

What is Hazard Mitigation?

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. It involves taking action now—before the next disaster—to reduce human and financial consequences later. Mitigation can be as simple as raising utilities above flood level or as complex as regional land-use planning.

According to a National Institute of Building Sciences study, every dollar invested in federal mitigation grants saves society six dollars in future disaster costs. This return on investment makes mitigation one of the most cost-effective strategies in the entire emergency management cycle. Unlike response and recovery, which deal with consequences after a disaster occurs, mitigation addresses root vulnerabilities and permanently reduces risk. Communities with strong mitigation programs experience fewer casualties, less property damage, and faster recovery times when hazards do strike.

Structural Mitigation

Physical modifications to buildings and infrastructure to reduce disaster impacts.

  • Flood-proofing buildings
  • Earthquake retrofitting
  • Storm shutters and safe rooms
  • Elevation of structures

Non-Structural Mitigation

Planning and regulatory measures to reduce vulnerability.

  • Building codes and standards
  • Land-use planning
  • Insurance requirements
  • Public education programs

Natural Mitigation

Using natural systems to reduce hazard impacts.

  • Wetland preservation
  • Coastal dune restoration
  • Urban tree planting
  • Green infrastructure

Community Mitigation

Community-wide approaches to risk reduction.

  • Hazard mitigation plans
  • Early warning systems
  • Emergency shelters
  • Community resilience programs

The Mitigation Planning Process

Developing a hazard mitigation plan is a requirement for communities seeking federal mitigation funding. The process follows a structured approach: identifying hazards and assessing risks, analyzing community vulnerabilities, setting mitigation goals, evaluating and prioritizing potential actions, and adopting the plan through local governing bodies. Plans must be updated every five years to remain current. Engaging community stakeholders throughout the process, including residents, business owners, utility providers, and partner organizations, ensures the plan reflects real-world priorities and has broad support for implementation. Local emergency managers who complete ICS and NIMS training are better positioned to lead these planning efforts.

FEMA Mitigation Grant Programs

FEMA offers several competitive and post-disaster grant programs that fund mitigation projects at the local, tribal, and state levels. Understanding these programs is essential for communities seeking to reduce their disaster risk profile. (Source: Community Organizing - Wikipedia).

  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) — Available after a presidential disaster declaration, HMGP funds long-term mitigation measures such as property acquisitions, structural retrofits, and infrastructure hardening. The federal cost share is typically 75 percent.
  • Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) — FEMA's flagship pre-disaster mitigation program, BRIC supports large-scale projects that demonstrate community-wide risk reduction. Eligible activities include wildfire-resistant construction, flood drainage improvements, and seismic retrofits.
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) — Specifically targets properties with National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims, funding elevation, relocation, or demolition of repetitive-loss structures. FMA helps reduce the long-term burden on the NFIP.
  • Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) — Though largely replaced by BRIC, some legacy PDM-funded projects continue. The program historically supported hazard mitigation planning and smaller-scale project implementation.

Communities with approved hazard mitigation plans and strong trained personnel are significantly more competitive in grant applications. Starting the planning process before a disaster occurs positions your community to act quickly when funding becomes available.