Hazard Mitigation Overview

Hazard Mitigation (HM) is the sustained effort to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property by lessening the impact of a disaster. It is taking action now – before the next disaster – and requires understanding natural and man-made risks and their effects. This definition distinguishes actions that have long-term impacts from those that are more closely associated with immediate preparedness, response and recovery activities.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Programs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding for eligible mitigation activities through three Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. Two are available on annual funding cycles and are not related to a disaster event. The other is funded in response to a Presidentially declared disaster.

Non-Disaster Mitigation Grants  

Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation (L-PDM): is authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5133 and is funded by congressional appropriations typically on an annual basis. PDM funding is focused on eligible activities that assist the State is in reducing the risk to population and structures in future hazard events.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA): FMA is authorized by Section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (NFIA) as amended (NFIA), 42 U.S.C. 4104c and is funded by the National Flood Insurance Fund (NFIF) as appropriated by Congress. FMA funding is focused on eligible activities that reduce or eliminate flood insurance claims.

 Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC): Section 203(b) of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. § 5133(b)), authorizes FEMA to “provide technical and financial assistance to States and local governments to assist in the implementation of pre-disaster hazard mitigation measures that are cost-effective and are designed to reduce injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property, including damage to critical services and facilities under the jurisdiction of the States or local governments.”

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program makes federal funds available to states, U.S. territories, federally recognized Tribal nations1, and local governments for hazard mitigation activities. It does so by recognizing the need to upgrade and modernize the nation’s infrastructure against the growing risks to communities and the need for natural hazard risk mitigation activities that promote resilience with respect to natural hazards.

Certain awards made under this funding opportunity may be funded, in whole or in part, by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA appropriates billions of dollars to FEMA to promote resilient infrastructure, respond to the impacts of natural weather disasters, and equip our nation with the resources to combat its most pressing natural hazard threats.

Post-Disaster HMA Grants

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) – is referred to as 404 mitigation because it is authorized under Section 404 of the Stafford Act. 
406 Mitigation – mitigation funding through the FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program identified in Section 406 of the Stafford Act.

Eligible Activities

Hazard mitigation projects are intended to strengthen facilities and communities, making them less vulnerable to future disaster impacts. Examples of typical mitigation activities are listed below. Eligible activities differ by HMA program and may change based on changes in FEMA guidance over time. See the FEMA website for HMA program specific information. For additional information, contact your local jurisdiction or the respective GOHSEP SAL to discuss any questions.

• Elevation of flood-prone structures – physically raising an existing structure above the base flood elevation (BFE) or higher.
• Acquisition of flood-prone structures – “buyout” of structures and converting land to green space in perpetuity.
• Localized drainage improvements – reduce localized flooding by increasing drainage capacity.
• Safe room construction – provides immediate near life-safety protection for either tornado or hurricane winds.
• Wind retrofit of structures – hardening the envelope of a structure to protect against high wind loads. The envelope is the shell of the structure (including the doors, roof covering windows and walls) that maintains a dry, heated or cooled indoor environment.                       

Mitigation Planning Requirements

Mitigation plans are important at both the local and State levels. Local HM plans are typically developed at the Parish level in Louisiana and may be reflective of multi-jurisdictional planning or be the result of planning efforts of municipalities, schools or others at the local level. The mitigation plan belongs to the local community.

Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, specifically addresses mitigation planning and requires state and local governments to prepare multi-hazard mitigation plans as a precondition for receiving FEMA mitigation funds for the following programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program(HMGP), Pre Disaster Mitigation(PDM) and Flood Mitigation Assistance(FMA).The Code of Federal Regulations 44(CFR) § 201 provides guidance for Local, State and Tribal Hazard Mitigation Planning.