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WHAT IS MITIGATION?
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.
Mitigation is taking action nowbefore the next disaster to reduce human and financial consequences
later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, insuring against risk). Effective mitigation requires that we all
understand local risks, address the hard choices and invest in long-term community well-being. Without
mitigation actions, we jeopardize our safety, financial security, and self-reliance.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s mitigation programs help reduce the impact of
eventsand our dependence on taxpayers and the Treasury for disaster relief.
FEMA's Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) manages the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP) and implements a variety of programs authorized by Congress to reduce losses
that may result from natural disasters. Effective mitigation efforts can break the cycle of disaster damage,
reconstruction and repeated damage. FEMA's mitigation and insurance efforts are organized into three
primary activities that help states, tribes, territories and localities achieve the highest level of mitigation:
Risk Analysis, Risk Reduction and Risk Insurance. Through these activities and FEMA's day-to-day
work across the country, communities are able to make better mitigation decisions before, between and
after disasters.
1. Risk Analysis
Government agencies must understand the full impact of natural hazards using applied multi-hazard
engineering science and advanced technology in order to effectively plan to reduce natural hazard effects.
2. Risk Reduction
The goal of risk reduction is to reduce the risk to life and property, which includes existing structures
and future construction, in the pre and post-disaster environments. This is achieved through regulations,
local ordinances, land use and building practices and mitigation projects that reduce or eliminate long-term
risk from hazards and their effects.
3. Flood Insurance
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) goal is to reduce the impact of flooding on private and
public structures by providing affordable insurance for property owners. The program encourages
communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations, which will mitigate the effects of
flooding on new and improved structures.
The NFIP is helping communities reduce the socio-economic impact of disasters by promoting the
purchase and retention of both Risk Insurance and National Flood Insurance.
Flood Mitigation Measures can be divided into three (3) main areas:
Flood Proofing
This is a combination of structural changes and adjustment to properties which can be used
in new or existing construction. Action includes seepage control, protective coverings,
elevation or raising anchorage and under pinning.
Flood Forecasting
o This is reliable, accurate and timely forecasting of floods, coupled with timely evacuation to
save lives and reduce property losses.
Temporary Evacuation
o This removes persons and property from the path of flood waters.
Permanent Evacuation
o This removes an affected population from areas subject to inundation. This involves the
acquisition of lands and the removal of developments. The acquired lands can be used for
agriculture, parks or other purposes that would not interfere with flood flows or result in
material damage.
Flood Insurance
o This assists by compensating for flood damage. Insurance rates should realistically reflect
the flood risk in order to avoid encouragement of improper development of flood plains.
o
HMGP assists in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster
PDM provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and projects on an annual basis
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
FEMAs HMA programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities. Commonly funded mitigation
activities include: