Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />MITIGATING FLOOD HAZARDS <br /> <br />Recovery can be made easier by reducing the potential for flood damage in advance of a <br />flood and preparing for recovery lasks. FEMA sets aside an amount equal to 15% of <br />disaster funds for mitigation projects. To qualify for the funds, jurisdictions must have a <br />mitigation plan. For assistance in developing or updating an existing mitig'ation plan, <br />contact lhe Slate Mitigation Officer at the Office of Emergency Management <br /> <br />Mitigation means taking actions to reduce the long-term vulnerability to disaster losses <br />Flood hazard mitigation usually involves one or more of the "A" actions, AVERT the <br />flood, ADAPT to the flood, AVOID lhe flood, and ANTICIPATE the flood. Averting lhe <br />flood includes all types of structural flood control; adapting to the flood hazard includes <br />elevating and flood proofing buildings; avoiding the flood hazard means keeping vulnerable <br />land uses out of areas prone to flooding; and anticipating the -flood means preparing for <br />emergency response, recovery, and rebuilding after a flood. <br /> <br />A flood insurance policy issued under the National Flood Insurance Program is one <br />approach to mitigation. To join, communities must adopt a floodplain management <br />ordinance meeting specific minimum standards. Nothing precludes a community from <br />adopting more stringent requirements. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />Protecting the ability of wetlands and marshes to store floodwaters is also an important <br />aspect of flood hazard mitigation. Protecting historic buildings and places from flood <br />damage is important as welL <br /> <br />Most cities and towns have preparedness and response plans that detail the responsibilities <br />of various departments or agencies in the immediate response to a flood. Some <br />communities, however, have gone beyond and established the requirements of long-term <br />recovery and rebuilding. A part of any flood hazard mitigation plan should be a statement <br />of actions the community will take before a flood comes to better handle both emergency <br />response and long-term recovery. <br /> <br />-. <br /> <br />e <br /> <br />30 <br /> <br />-- <br />