Hazard Mitigation is defined as any action taken to reduce or eliminate the negative impacts from all disasters. Potential types of hazard mitigation measures include the following:
- Structural hazard control or protection projects
- Retrofitting of facilities
- Acquisition and relocation of structures
- Development of mitigation standards, regulations, policies, and programs
- Public awareness and education programs
- Development or improvement of warning systems
The purpose of a Mitigation Plan is to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and property resulting from natural and man-made hazards. Protecting our community during a disaster requires planning. Our plan identifies the hazards that could affect Rice County and includes goals, objectives, and strategies to lessen the impact of a disaster. There are measures that can be taken to prevent or minimize the damage caused by most hazards. These measures can be taken long before a disaster occurs, during the time of a disaster, and after the disaster occurs. Hazard Mitigation Planning can break the disaster-damage-repair cycle. Having a mitigation plan will help our County become proactive in risk reduction, rather than reactive during stressful times while recovering from a disaster
Federal and State funding authorized under the Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program (HMA) administered by FEMA provides grants to States and local government to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. As a result of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, FEMA now requires that all jurisdictions must have an all-hazard mitigation plan to be eligible for HMA funds.