Hazard Mitigation Planning
Locally-developed, a Hazard Mitigation Plan documents and maps the existing essential Town and governmental facilities, special needs populations, areas in danger of hazards, large gathering places, utilities, and unique resources. Inventories of past disasters and potential hazards are also gathered. The Plan provides recommendations for enhancement and protection of these facilities, sites, and areas in the event of a disaster. The Plan and the process undertaken to develop the document enhances the communication and coordination among community departments and raises the awareness of the Town and the public at large of the potential and proactive measures against disasters.
Hazard Mitigation Plans are especially important for towns and cities to develop in light of new federal legislation. The US Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 encourages pre-natural disaster planning to mitigate losses and damages. In November 2004, any municipality in the US without a Hazard Mitigation Plan lost eligibility for disaster clean-up and recovery funding (except emergency provisions) should a disaster occur. In NH, floods and snow/ice storms account for the majority of disasters. In addition, many other grant opportunities are lost if a community does not have a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Hazard Mitigation Planning Fact Sheet
Click here for Hazard Mitigation Plans written for NRPC communities.
Links
Nashua Regional Planning Commission
9 Executive Park Drive, Suite 201
Merrimack, NH 03054
Phone ~ 603.424.2240 | Fax ~ 603.424.2230