Disaster Mitigation

Mitigation reduces the impact of disasters by supporting protection and prevention activities, easing response, and speeding recovery to create better prepared and more resilient communities.

Mitigation can include structural and nonstructural efforts.

Structural Mitigation Prevent hazards from developing into a

disaster through structures Examples include:

Building dams Building seawalls Hurricane proof buildings Earthquake resistant structures

Benefits and Disadvantages Benefits of Structural Mitigation

Financial losses lessened Lower insurance premiums Reduced rebuilding efforts

Disadvantages Increased upfront building costs Not 100% effective Increased risk taking by occupants

Nonstructural Mitigation Prevent hazards from disasters through

administrative efforts Example include:

Building zoning and planning Building codes and enforcement Education and training Relocation

Benefits and Disadvantages Benefits of Nonstructural Mitigation

Less costly than structural Lower insurance premiums

Disadvantages Less effective than structural efforts Require greater public commitment

FEMA Disaster Mitigation Framework The National Mitigation Framework

discusses seven core capabilities required for entities involved in mitigation: Threats and Hazard Identification Risk and Disaster Resilience Assessment Planning Community Resilience Public Information and Warning Long-term Vulnerability Reduction Operational Coordination

FEMA’s Mitigation Core Capabilities

Mitigation Coordination Efforts The coordinating structures for

mitigation range from the individual efforts to national coordination.

Includes involvement from non-governmental agencies, local government, and state

Federal Insurance & Mitigation Administration FIMA manages the National Flood Insurance

Program (NFIP) and a range of programs designed to reduce future losses to homes, businesses, schools, public buildings, and critical facilities from floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other natural disasters.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster.

Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and projects on an annual basis.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) provides funds for projects to reduce or eliminate risk of flood damage to buildings that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on an annual basis.