The Planning Project

About the Project

Purpose:

The purpose of this project is to update and obtain FEMA-approval of Cambria County's Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The HMP will be developed by using the most current information and data, conducting a thorough vulnerability analysis, and establishing county-wide priorities and subsequent mitigation actions.

What is hazard mitigation?

Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property resulting from natural and human-made hazards.

What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?

A Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is a community-driven, living document that communities and jurisdictions use to reduce their vulnerability to hazards.

Why should my community have a Hazard Mitigation Plan?

Communities must have a Plan to apply for and receive mitigation funding. These grants can augment local mitigation activities already being done. Ultimately, these actions reduce loss of life, property, essential services, critical facilities, and economic hardship, and communities are able to recover more quickly from disasters.

What happens if my community does not participate in the Plan?

Communities that choose not to participate will not be eligible for certain types of hazard mitigation funding. This means that even if your community is included in a federally-declared disaster, you will not be eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding unless you have a FEMA-approved HMP.

What does my community have to do to participate in the Plan?

Municipal representatives are required to attend meetings, provide valuable information, and actively participate in the planning process.

What are some examples of hazard mitigation?

Hazard mitigation actions usually fall into one of four different categories:

• Plans and Regulations- these actions include authorities, policies, or codes that influence the way land and buildings are developed and built.
• Structure and Infrastructure- these actions involved modifying existing structures and infrastructure or constructing new structures to reduce hazard vulnerability.
• Natural Systems Protection- these are actions that minimize damage and losses and also preserve or restore the functions of natural systems.
• Education and Awareness- these are actions to inform and educate students, officials, and local citizenry about hazards and potential ways to mitigate them.

Mitigation actions may include:

• Enforcement of building codes, floodplain management codes and environmental regulations.
• Public safety measures such as continual maintenance of roadways, culverts and dams.
• Acquisitions or relocation of structures, such as purchasing buildings located in a floodplain.
• Acquisition of hazard prone lands in their undeveloped state to ensure they remain so.
• Retrofitting of structures and design of new construction such as elevating a home or building.
• Protecting critical facilities and infrastructure from future hazard events.
• Mitigation, disaster recovery and COOP planning.
• Development and distribution of outreach materials related to hazard mitigation.
• Deployment of warning systems.