Overview
We're focused on taking cost-effective actions to reduce the long-term risk to life and property from natural and technological hazards.
It's estimated that for every $1 spent on mitigation, $6 is saved.
What We're Doing
In Pennsylvania, the most common hazard is flooding.
The project we do most often is acquiring and demolishing flood-risk homes. Since 1996, nearly 3,000 homes and around 3,500 people have been removed from dangerous flood areas via mitigation projects.
Acquisition is considered the best possible mitigation. It eliminates the hazard altogether. No homes = no flood losses.
All-Hazard Planning
Through all-hazard planning, we identify hazards and risks in our communities, then develop ways to reduce the potentially disastrous loss of life and property.
Hazard planning is more important now than ever. If you're a community that wants federal funds for projects, you must have an approved hazard mitigation plan to be eligible.
If a federally declared disaster happens in your community and you don't have an approved hazard mitigation plan, you won't be eligible for buyouts.
Your Community's Hazard Plan
We've created standard procedures for hazard mitigation planning in Pennsylvania.
Our guide combines federal requirements, clarifies and combines existing guidance, and gives communities an opportunity to excel in hazard mitigation planning.
