What Is Mitigation?

Mitigation is any action of a long-term, permanent nature that reduces or eliminates the actual or potential risk of loss of life or property from a hazardous event.

FEMA encourages individuals, communities, States, tribal governments, and others to take preventive measures now rather than after an event. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all States, tribal governments, and local governments to meet mitigation planning requirements to receive mitigation project grants. Hazard identification and risk assessment information developed during the planning process serves as a guide for the mitigation measures that would be most beneficial and cost effective for individuals and the community.

Sample Mitigation Measures

Sample mitigation measures include:

• Acquisition of structures - Acquisition often is referred to as "buyouts." After acquired structures are demolished, property is devoted to open space.
• Relocation of structures - Relocation moves structures out of hazardous locations.
• Strengthening/retrofitting structures to withstand forces - Foundations, floors, walls, and roofs can be strengthened/retrofitted to prevent seismic or wind damage.
• Making utilities, structural components, and contents resistant to damage - Examples: Utilities such as water heaters can be strapped to prevent toppling in an earthquake, or they can be moved to a higher spot to prevent flood damage; shutters can protect windows from wind damage.
• Diverting the hazard - Structural means such as dikes or floodwalls built to divert hazards are often the most difficult and expensive to achieve.
• Elevating structures - Building the structure on stilts can prevent water damage from rising floodwaters or coastal waters.

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Programs/Activities

Pre-disaster mitigation focuses on mitigation planning, policies, actions, and projects aimed at preventing future damage.

• National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
  The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available in more than 19,000 communities. Communities must agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage and to make that insurance available to their community. Federally backed flood insurance is not available if a community does not join the NFIP. Hazard identification and floodplain mapping also are available through NFIP participation.

• Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC)
  The Increased Cost of Compliance program provides added coverage to standard flood insurance policies to supplement the cost of complying with State or community floodplain management laws.

• Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Grants
  FEMA awards competitive PDM grants for pre-disaster mitigation planning and projects that primarily address natural hazards. Implementation of projects identified in the plans reduces overall risks to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from federally declared disasters.

• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
  The Flood Mitigation Assistance program provides pre-disaster grants for both planning and implementation. Grant funds are made available from NFIP insurance premiums and are only available to communities participating in the NFIP.

Post-Disaster Mitigation: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

After a disaster declaration, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds mitigation projects that substantially reduce the risk of future damages.

HMGP objectives include:

• To identify and implement cost-effective mitigation measures that will reduce future losses.
• To coordinate mitigation needs with existing State and Federal efforts.
• To capitalize upon previous mitigation planning efforts to maximize the financial opportunities available under the HMGP.

The amount of funding is based on Federal expenditures during the disaster response and recovery.