Planning

What is Hazard Mitigation Planning?

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 damages to lives, property, and the economy from future disasters.

States, 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

If you have any questions, please contact the Hazard Mitigation Planning Director at 601-933-6884.