Mitigation Ideas

A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

January 2013

01024.13
2 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Acknowledgements

FEMA’s Risk Analysis Division funded the development of this document, which updates Mitigation Ideas: Possible 

Mitigation Measures by Hazards Type created by FEMA Region V in 2002. The primary authors and project managers 

were Julie Baxter and Karen Helbrecht from FEMA and Stacy Franklin Robinson, Sara Reynolds, Adam Reeder, and 

Hilary Kendro from the Strategic Alliance for Risk Reduction (STARR). Laura Coventry (STARR) provided layout and design 

support. Special thanks to the following FEMA program areas for their contributions to this project: Hazard Mitigation 

Planning, Building Sciences, Environmental and Historic Preservation, Flood Mitigation and Insurance, and Hazard 

Mitigation Assistance.
 3

Table of Contents

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................... 4

Drought............................................................................................................................................................ 5

Earthquake......................................................................................................................................................9

Erosion............................................................................................................................................................15

Extreme Temperatures ................................................................................................................................19

Flood ...............................................................................................................................................................21

Hail ..................................................................................................................................................................33

Landslide ........................................................................................................................................................35

Lightning ...................................................................................................................................................... 39

Sea Level Rise................................................................................................................................................41

Severe Wind ................................................................................................................................................. 45

Severe Winter Weather............................................................................................................................... 51

Storm Surge.................................................................................................................................................. 55

Subsidence.................................................................................................................................................... 59

Tornado.......................................................................................................................................................... 63

Tsunami .........................................................................................................................................................65

Wildfire..........................................................................................................................................................69

Multiple Hazards ..........................................................................................................................................75

FEMA Resources/Publications .................................................................................................................. 83

FEMA Contacts .............................................................................................................................................88

Table of Contents
4 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to provide a resource that communities can use to identify

and evaluate a range of potential mitigation actions for reducing risk to natural hazards

and disasters.

The focus of this document is mitigation, which is action taken to reduce or eliminate

long-term risk to hazards. Mitigation is different from preparedness, which is action taken to

improve emergency response or operational preparedness.

Ideas for mitigation actions are presented for the following natural hazards:

▪ Drought

▪ Earthquake

▪ Erosion

▪ Extreme temperatures

▪ Flood

▪ Hail

▪ Landslide

▪ Lightning

▪ Sea level rise

▪ Severe wind

▪ Severe winter weather

▪ Storm surge

▪ Subsidence

▪ Tornado

▪ Tsunami

▪ Wildfire

Actions that may mitigate multiple hazards are presented in the last section, entitled

“Multiple Hazards.”

The suggested mitigation actions are summarized into four types: (1) Local Planning and

Regulations, (2) Structure and Infrastructure Projects, (3) Natural Systems Protection, and (4)

Education and Awareness Programs. Examples of activities that can be used to accomplish

each mitigation goal are identified, as well as the relevant FEMA publications or resources,

if applicable.

This document is intended to be a starting point for gathering ideas and should not be used

as the only source for identifying actions. Communities should seek innovative and different

ideas for reducing risk that meet their unique needs. The actions listed are not necessarily

eligible for Federal assistance programs. Users should review specific program guidance

and contact their State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) or regional FEMA office for more

information.

Examples of mitigation actions are 

planning and zoning, floodplain 

protection, property acquisition and 

relocation, or public outreach projects.

Examples of preparedness actions are 

installing disaster warning systems, 

purchasing radio communications 

equipment, or conducting emergency 

response training.

Introduction
 

Drought

A drought is a period of unusually constant dry weather 

that persists long enough to cause deficiencies in water 

supply (surface or underground). Droughts are slow-onset 

hazards, but, over time, they can severely affect crops, 

municipal water supplies, recreational resources, and wildlife. 

If drought conditions extend over a number of years, the 

direct and indirect economic impacts can be significant. High 

temperatures, high winds, and low humidity can worsen 

drought conditions and also make areas more susceptible to 

wildfire. In addition, human actions and demands for water 

resources can accelerate drought-related impacts.
6 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

D-1 Assess Vulnerability to

Drought Risk

To better understand and assess local vulnerability to drought,

consider actions such as:

▪ Gathering and analyzing water and climate data to gain a better 

understanding of local climate and drought history.

▪ Identifying factors that affect the severity of a drought.

▪ Identifying available water supplies.

▪ Determining how the community and its water sources have been 

impacted by droughts in the past.

D-2 Monitor Drought

Conditions

Monitoring drought conditions can provide early warning for

policymakers and planners to make decisions through

actions including:

▪ Identifying local drought indicators, such as precipitation, 

temperature, surface water levels, soil moisture, etc.

▪ Establishing a regular schedule to monitor and report conditions 

on at least a monthly basis.

Monitoring the water supply and its functions can save water in the

long run through actions such as:

▪ Regularly checking for leaks to minimize water supply losses.

▪ Improving water supply monitoring.

D-3 Monitor Water Supply

D-4 Plan for Drought Plan for future drought events in your area through actions such as:

▪ Developing a drought emergency plan.

▪ Developing criteria or triggers for drought-related actions.

▪ Developing a drought communication plan and early warning 

system to facilitate timely communication of relevant information 

to officials, decision makers, emergency managers, and the general 

public.

▪ Developing agreements for secondary water sources that may be 

used during drought conditions.

▪ Establishing an irrigation time/scheduling program or process so 

that all agricultural land gets the required amount of water. 

Through incremental timing, each area is irrigated at different 

times so that all water is not consumed at the same time. Spacing 

usage may also help with recharge of groundwater.
7Drought

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

D-5 Require Water Conservation

During Drought Conditions

Require mandatory water conservation measures during drought

emergencies, including:

▪ Developing an ordinance to restrict the use of public water 

resources for non-essential usage, such as landscaping, washing 

cars, filling swimming pools, etc.

▪ Adopting ordinances to prioritize or control water use, particularly 

for emergency situations like fire fighting.

D-6 Prevent Overgrazing Prevent overgrazing, which has been linked to drought vulnerability,

through actions such as:

▪ Establishing a grazing policy or permitting program to 

prevent overgrazing.

▪ Reducing the number of animals and improving 

range management.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

D-7 Retrofit Water Supply

Systems

Improve water supply and delivery systems to save water through

actions such as:

▪ Designing water delivery systems to accommodate drought events.

▪ Developing new or upgrading existing water delivery systems to 

eliminate breaks and leaks.

D-8 Enhance Landscaping and

Design Measures

Natural Systems Protection

Encourage drought-tolerant landscape design through measures

such as:

▪ Incorporating drought tolerant or xeriscape practices into landscape 

ordinances to reduce dependence on irrigation.

▪ Providing incentives for xeriscaping.

▪ Using permeable driveways and surfaces to reduce runoff and 

promote groundwater recharge.
8 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

D-9 Educate Residents on

Water Saving Techniques

Encourage citizens to take water-saving measures, such as

the following:

▪ Installing low-flow water saving showerheads and toilets.

▪ Turning water flow off while brushing teeth or during other 

cleaning activities.

▪ Adjusting sprinklers to water the lawn and not the sidewalk 

or street.

▪ Running the dishwasher and washing machine only when they 

are full.

▪ Checking for leaks in plumping or dripping faucets.

▪ Installing rain-capturing devices for irrigation.

▪ Encouraging the installation of graywater systems in homes to 

encourage water reuse.

D-10 Educate Farmers on

Soil and Water Conservation

Practices

Encourage farmers to implement soil and water conservation

practices that foster soil health and improve soil quality to help

increase resiliency and mitigate the impacts of droughts. Potential

conservation practices include the following:

▪ Rotating crops by growing a series of different types of crops on 

the same fields every season to reduce soil erosion.

▪ Practicing contour farming by farming along elevation contour 

lines to slow water runoff during rainstorms and prevent soil 

erosion, allowing the water time to absorb into the soil.

▪ Using terracing on hilly or mountainous terrain to decrease soil 

erosion and surface runoff.

▪ Planting “cover crops,” such as oats, wheat, and buckwheat, to 

prevent soil erosion.

▪ Using zero and reduced tillage to minimize soil disturbance and 

leave crop residue on the ground to prevent soil erosion.

▪ Constructing windbreaks to prevent evaporation from reclaiming 

salt-affected soil.

▪ Collecting rainwater and using natural runoff to water plants.

D-11 Purchase Crop Insurance

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 20, P-85, 361, 453

Preserve economic stability during a drought by encouraging

agricultural interests to obtain crop insurance to cover potential

losses due to drought.

Other drought-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Extreme Temperatures” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
 

 

 

Earthquake

An earthquake is a sudden release of energy that creates 

a movement in the earth’s crust. Most earthquake-related 

property damage and deaths are caused by the failure 

and collapse of structures due to ground shaking. The 

level of damage depends upon the extent and duration of 

the shaking. Other damaging earthquake effects include 

landslides, the down-slope movement of soil and rock (in 

mountain regions and along hillsides), and liquefaction. 
10 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

EQ-1 Adopt and Enforce

Building Codes

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 83, 224, 232, 254, 266, 

313, 349, P-749, P-750

EQ-2 Incorporate Earthquake

Mitigation into Local Planning

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 83, 224, 254, 266, 313, 349

Building codes reduce earthquake damage to structures. Consider

actions such as:

▪ Adopting and enforcing updated building code provisions to 

reduce earthquake damage risk.

▪ Adopting the International Building Code (IBC) and International 

Residential Code (IRC).

Earthquake risk can be reduced through local planning, codes, and

ordinances, including:

▪ Creating a seismic safety committee to provide policy 

recommendations, evaluate and recommend changes in seismic 

safety standards, and give an annual assessment of local and 

statewide implementation of seismic safety improvements.

▪ Developing and distributing guidelines or passing ordinances that 

require developers and building owners to locate lifelines, 

buildings, critical facilities, and hazardous materials out of areas 

subject to significant seismic hazards.

▪ Incorporating structural and non-structural seismic strengthening 

actions into ongoing building plans and activities in the capital 

improvement plan to ensure that facilities remain operational for 

years to come.

▪ Supporting financial incentives, such as low interest loans or tax 

breaks, for home and business owners who seismically retrofit 

their structures.

EQ-3 Map and Assess Community

Vulnerability to Seismic Hazards

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 83, 154, 366, ROVER

To better understand and assess local vulnerability to earthquakes,

consider actions such as:

▪ Developing an inventory of public and commercial buildings that 

may be particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage, including 

pre-1940s homes and homes with cripple wall foundations.

▪ Collecting geologic information on seismic sources, soil conditions, 

and related potential hazards. 

▪ Creating an earthquake scenario to estimate potential loss of life 

and injuries, the types of potential damage, and existing 

vulnerabilities within a community to develop earthquake 

mitigation priorities.

▪ Using Hazus to quantitatively estimate potential losses from 

an earthquake.

▪ Maintaining a database to track community vulnerability to 

earthquake risk.

▪ Using GIS to map hazard areas, at-risk structures, and associated 

hazards (e.g., liquefaction and landslides) to assess high-risk areas.
11Earthquake

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

EQ-4 Conduct Inspections of

Building Safety

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 154, 155, 202, 221, 224, 225, 

226, 233, 306, 307, 395, ROVER

Inspections can be used to assess earthquake risk, such as:

▪ Establishing a school survey procedure and guidance document to 

inventory structural and non-structural hazards in and around 

school buildings.

▪ Using rapid visual screening to quickly inspect a building and 

identify disaster damage or potential seismic structural and 

non-structural weaknesses to prioritize retrofit efforts, inventory 

high-risk structures and critical facilities, or assess post-disaster risk 

to determine if buildings are safe to re-occupy.

▪ Consulting industry standard publications such as American 

Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 31 - Seismic Evaluation of Existing 

Buildings, ASCE 41 - Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings,

and Applied Technology Council (ATC) 20 - Procedures for 

Postearthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings.
12 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

EQ-5 Protect Critical Facilities

and Infrastructure

Reduce potential damage to critical facilities and infrastructure from

future seismic events through actions such as:

▪ Conducting seismic retrofitting for critical public facilities most at 

risk to earthquakes.

▪ Requiring bracing of generators, elevators, and other vital 

equipment in hospitals. 

▪ Identifying and hardening critical lifeline systems (i.e., critical public 

services such as utilities and roads) to meet “Seismic Design 

Guidelines and Standards for Lifelines” or equivalent standards 

such as American Lifelines Alliance (ALA) guidance. This may 

distinguish a manageable earthquake from a social and 

economic catastrophe.

▪ Reviewing construction plans for all bridges to determine their 

susceptibility to collapse and retrofitting problem bridges. 

▪ Using flexible piping when extending water, sewer, or natural 

gas service.

▪ Installing shutoff valves and emergency connector hoses where 

water mains cross fault lines.

EQ-6 Implement Structural

Mitigation Techniques

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 307, 320, 345, 356, 361, 

395, 396, 412, 453, 547, P-774

Use structural mitigation measures to reduce damage from future

seismic events, such as:

▪ Strengthening and retrofitting non-reinforced masonry buildings 

and non-ductile concrete facilities that are particularly vulnerable 

to ground shaking. 

▪ Retrofitting building veneers to prevent failure.

▪ Building a safe room to provide protection during an earthquake.

▪ Installing window film to prevent injuries from shattered glass.

▪ Anchoring rooftop-mounted equipment (i.e., HVAC units, satellite 

dishes, etc).

▪ Constructing masonry chimneys greater than 6 feet above a roof 

with continuous reinforced steel bracing.
13Earthquake

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

EQ-7 Increase Earthquake

Risk Awareness

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA E-74, 474, 526, 527, 528, 

529, 530, P-811; EMI IS-22

There are many ways to increase awareness of earthquake

risk, including:

▪ Working with insurance industry representatives to increase public 

awareness of the importance of earthquake insurance. Residential 

structural improvements can be factored into the process of 

obtaining insurance coverage or reduced deductibles.

▪ Developing an outreach program about earthquake risk and 

mitigation activities in homes, schools, and businesses.

▪ Educating homeowners on safety techniques to follow during and 

after an earthquake.

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and design 

professionals.

EQ-8 Conduct Outreach

to Builders, Architects,

Engineers, and Inspectors

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 232, 313, 389, P-420, 454

Building susceptibility to earthquake damage can be improved if

design professionals are made aware of proper design and building

requirements. Outreach activities include:

▪ Conducting information sessions or other forms of outreach on 

seismic code provisions for new and existing buildings to enhance 

code use and enforcement by local architects, engineers, 

contractors, and code enforcement personnel.

▪ Training building department staff and officials on Form ATC-20 for 

post-earthquake building evaluation. The ATC-20 report and 

addendum, prepared by the Applied Technology Council, provide 

procedures and guidelines for making on-the-spot evaluations and 

decisions regarding continued use and occupancy of earthquakedamaged buildings.
14 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

Property owners can retrofit existing structures to reduce damage

from seismic events. Potential actions include the following:

▪ Educating homeowners about structural and non-structural 

retrofitting of vulnerable homes and encouraging retrofit.

▪ Developing a technical assistance information program for 

homeowners. Teaching them how to seismically strengthen their 

houses can be an effective mitigation activity. The program can 

include providing local government building departments with 

copies of existing strengthening and repair information 

for distribution.

▪ Developing an outreach program to encourage homeowners to 

secure furnishings, storage cabinets, and utilities to prevent injuries 

and damage. Examples include anchoring tall bookcases and file 

cabinets, installing latches on drawers and cabinet doors, 

restraining desktop computers and appliances, using flexible 

connections on gas and water lines, mounting framed pictures and 

mirrors securely, and anchoring and bracing propane tanks and 

gas cylinders.

▪ Establishing a library of technical documents on structural and 

non-structural mitigation options as well as model ordinances and 

procedures that have been used by other jurisdictions to reduce 

earthquake risk.

Other earthquake-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the section entitled 

“Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.

EQ-9 Provide Information

on Structural and

Non-Structural Retrofitting

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA E-74, 412, 413, 414, 530, 547
 

 

Erosion

Erosion is the wearing away of land, such as loss of riverbank, 

beach, shoreline, or dune material. It is measured as the rate 

of change in the position or displacement of a riverbank or 

shoreline over a period of time. Short-term erosion typically 

results from periodic natural events, such as flooding, 

hurricanes, storm surge, and windstorms, but may be 

intensified by human activities. Long-term erosion is a result 

of multi-year impacts such as repetitive flooding, wave action, 

sea level rise, sediment loss, subsidence, and climate change. 

Death and injury are not typically associated with erosion; 

however, it can destroy buildings and infrastructure. 
16 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

ER-1 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Erosion

Erosion risk can be better assessed and monitored with mapping

techniques, including the following:

▪ Using GIS to identify and map erosion hazard areas.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability to erosion.

▪ Using GIS to identify concentrations of at-risk structures.

▪ Improving mapping of hazard areas to educate residents about 

unexpected risks.

ER-2 Manage Development in

Erosion Hazard Areas

Erosion damage can be mitigated by regulating how development

occurs in hazard areas, such as the following:

▪ Adopting sediment and erosion control regulations.

▪ Adopting zoning and erosion overlay districts.

▪ Developing an erosion protection program for high hazard areas.

▪ Employing erosion control easements.

▪ Prohibiting development in high-hazard areas.

▪ Developing and implementing an erosion management plan.

▪ Requiring mandatory erosion surcharges on homes.

▪ Locating utilities and critical facilities outside of areas susceptible to 

erosion to decrease the risk of service disruption.

ER-3 Promote or Require Site

and Building Design Standards

to Minimize Erosion Risk

Development can be designed to minimize damage due to erosion

using the following techniques:

▪ Constructing open foundation systems on buildings to 

minimize scour.

▪ Constructing deep foundations in erosion hazard areas.

▪ Clustering buildings during building and site design.

▪ Designing and orienting infrastructure to deter erosion 

and accretion.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

ER-4 Remove Existing Buildings

and Infrastructure from Erosion

Hazard Areas

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-55

To prevent damage to buildings and infrastructure from erosion,

consider acquiring and demolishing or relocating at-risk buildings

and infrastructure and enforcing permanent restrictions on

development after land and structure acquisition.
17Erosion

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Natural Systems Protection

ER-5 Stabilize Erosion

Hazard Areas

To stabilize slopes susceptible to erosion, consider options such as:

▪ Preventing erosion with proper bank stabilization, sloping or 

grading techniques, planting vegetation on slopes, terracing 

hillsides, or installing riprap boulders or geotextile fabric.

▪ Stabilizing cliffs with terracing or plantings of grasses or other 

plants to hold soil together.

▪ Prohibiting removal of natural vegetation from dunes and slopes.

▪ Planting mature trees in the coastal riparian zone to assist in 

dissipation of the wind force in the breaking wave zone.

▪ Using a hybrid of hard/soft engineering techniques (i.e., combine 

low-profile rock, rubble, oyster reefs, or wood structures with 

vegetative planting or other soft stabilization techniques).

▪ Implementing marine riparian habitat reinstatement 

or revegetation.

▪ Using a rock splash pad to direct runoff and minimize the potential 

for erosion.

▪ Using bioengineered bank stabilization techniques.
18 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

ER-6 Increase Awareness

of Erosion Hazards

Consider ways to help citizens become more aware of specific

erosion risks in your area, such as:

▪ Notifying property owners located in high-risk areas.

▪ Disclosing the location of high-risk areas to buyers.

▪ Developing a brochure describing risk and potential 

mitigation techniques.

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and 

design professionals.

Other erosion-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled “Subsidence,” 

“Landslide,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
 

 

Extreme

Temperatures

Extreme heat and extreme cold constitute different 

conditions in different parts of the country. Extreme 

cold can range from near freezing temperatures in the 

southern United States to temperatures well below zero 

in the northern states. Similarly, extreme heat is typically 

recognized as the condition where temperatures 

consistently stay ten degrees or more above a region’s 

average high temperature for an extended period. 

Fatalities can result from extreme temperatures, 

as they can push the human body beyond its limits 

(hyperthermia and hypothermia).
20 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

ET-1 Reduce Urban Heat

Island Effect

As urban areas develop and buildings and roads replace open land

and vegetation, urban regions become warmer than their rural

surroundings, forming an “island” of heat. Several methods for

reducing heat island effects include:

▪ Increasing tree plantings around buildings to shade parking lots 

and along public rights-of-way.

▪ Encouraging installation of green roofs, which provide shade and 

remove heat from the roof surface and surrounding air.

▪ Using cool roofing products that reflect sunlight and heat away 

from a building.

Education and Awareness Programs

ET-2 Increase Awareness of

Extreme Temperature Risk

and Safety

The impacts of extreme temperatures on public health can be

lessened if citizens know how to prepare and protect themselves.

Ideas for increasing awareness include the following:

▪ Educating citizens regarding the dangers of extreme heat and cold 

and the steps they can take to protect themselves when extreme 

temperatures occur. 

ET-3 Assist Vulnerable

Populations

Measures should be taken to ensure vulnerable populations are

adequately protected from the impacts of extreme temperatures,

such as:

▪ Organizing outreach to vulnerable populations, including 

establishing and promoting accessible heating or cooling centers in 

the community.

▪ Requiring minimum temperatures in housing/landlord codes. 

▪ Encouraging utility companies to offer special arrangements for 

paying heating bills, if not already required by state law. 

▪ Creating a database to track those individuals at high risk of death, 

such as the elderly, homeless, etc.

ET-4 Educate Property Owners Extreme cold may cause water pipes to freeze and burst, which can

About Freezing Pipes cause flooding inside a building. Ideas for educating property owners

include the following:

▪ Educating homeowners and builders on how to protect their pipes, 

including locating water pipes on the inside of building insulation or 

keeping them out of attics, crawl spaces, and vulnerable outside walls. 

▪ Informing homeowners that letting a faucet drip during extreme cold 

weather can prevent the buildup of excessive pressure in the pipeline 

and avoid bursting.

Other extreme temperature-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Severe Winter Weather,” “Drought,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
 

 

Flood

A flood is the partial or complete inundation of 

normally dry land. The various types of flooding 

include riverine flooding, coastal flooding, and 

shallow flooding. Common impacts of flooding 

include damage to personal property, buildings, 

and infrastructure; bridge and road closures; service 

disruptions; and injuries or even fatalities.
22 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

F-1 Incorporate Flood Mitigation

in Local Planning

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 100, 268, 473

Comprehensive planning and floodplain management can mitigate

flooding by influencing development. Strategies include:

▪ Determining and enforcing acceptable land uses to alleviate the 

risk of damage by limiting exposure in flood hazard areas. 

Floodplain and coastal zone management can be included in 

comprehensive planning.

▪ Developing a floodplain management plan and updating 

it regularly.

▪ Mitigating hazards during infrastructure planning. For example, 

decisions to extend roads or utilities to an area may increase 

exposure to flood hazards.

▪ Adopting a post-disaster recovery ordinance based on a plan to 

regulate repair activity, generally depending on property location.

▪ Passing and enforcing an ordinance that regulates dumping in 

streams and ditches.

▪ Establishing a ”green infrastructure” program to link, manage, and 

expand existing parks, preserves, greenways, etc.

▪ Obtaining easements for planned and regulated public use of 

privately-owned land for temporary water retention and drainage.

F-2 Form Partnerships

to Support Floodplain

Management

Partnerships between local, state, and regional entities help expand

resources and improve coordination. Consider the following actions:

▪ Developing a stormwater committee that meets regularly to 

discuss issues and recommend projects.

▪ Forming a regional watershed council to help bring together 

resources for comprehensive analysis, planning, decision-making, 

and cooperation.

▪ Establishing watershed-based planning initiatives to address the 

flood hazard with neighboring jurisdictions.

▪ Forming a citizen plan implementation steering committee to 

monitor progress on local mitigation actions. Include a mix of 

representatives from neighborhoods, local businesses, and 

local government.
23Flood

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

F-3 Limit or Restrict

Development in

Floodplain Areas

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 100, 268, 473

Flooding can be mitigated by limiting or restricting how

development occurs in floodplain areas through actions such as:

▪ Prohibiting or limiting floodplain development through regulatory 

and/or incentive-based measures.

▪ Limiting the density of developments in the floodplain.

▪ Requiring that floodplains be kept as open space.

▪ Limiting the percentage of allowable impervious surface within 

developed parcels.

▪ Developing a stream buffer ordinance to protect water resources 

and limit flood impacts.

▪ Prohibiting any fill in floodplain areas.

The use of building codes and development standards can ensure

structures are able to withstand flooding. Potential actions include:

▪ Adopting the International Building Code (IBC) and International 

Residential Code (IRC).

▪ Adopting ASCE 24-05 Flood Resistant Design and Construction. 

ASCE 24 is a referenced standard in the IBC that specifies minimum 

requirements and expected performance for the design and 

construction of buildings and structures in the flood hazard areas 

to make them more resistant to flood loads and flood damage.

▪ Adding or increasing “freeboard” requirements (feet above base 

flood elevation) in the flood damage ordinance.

▪ Prohibiting all first floor enclosures below base flood elevation for 

all structures in flood hazard areas.

▪ Considering orientation of new development during design (e.g., 

subdivisions, buildings, infrastructure, etc.).

▪ Setting the design flood elevation at or above the historical high 

water mark if it is above the mapped base flood elevation.

▪ Using subdivision design standards to require elevation data 

collection during platting and to have buildable space on lots 

above the base flood elevation.

▪ Requiring standard tie-downs of propane tanks.

F-4 Adopt and Enforce

Building Codes and

Development Standards

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 100, 268, P-762
24

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

F-5 Improve Stormwater

Management Planning

Rainwater and snowmelt can cause flooding and erosion in

developed areas. Stormwater management practices to prevent

this include:

▪ Completing a stormwater drainage study for known problem areas. 

▪ Preparing and adopting a stormwater drainage plan and ordinance.

▪ Preparing and adopting a community-wide stormwater 

management master plan.

▪ Regulating development in upland areas in order to reduce 

stormwater run-off through a stormwater ordinance.

▪ Linking flood hazard mitigation objectives with EPA Stormwater 

Phase II initiatives.

▪ Developing engineering guidelines for drainage from 

new development.

▪ Requiring a drainage study with new development. 

▪ Encouraging the use of Low Impact Development techniques

F-6 Adopt Polices to Reduce

Stormwater Runoff

In addition to stormwater management, techniques to reduce rain

runoff can prevent flooding and erosion, such as:

▪ Designing a “natural runoff” or “zero discharge” policy for 

stormwater in subdivision design.

▪ Requiring more trees be preserved and planted in landscape 

designs to reduce the amount of stormwater runoff.

▪ Requiring developers to plan for on-site sediment retention. 

▪ Requiring developers to construct on-site retention basins for 

excessive stormwater and as a firefighting water source.

▪ Encouraging the use of porous pavement, vegetative buffers, and 

islands in large parking areas. 

▪ Conforming pavement to land contours so as not to provide easier 

avenues for stormwater.

▪ Encouraging the use of permeable driveways and surfaces to 

reduce runoff and increase groundwater recharge.

▪ Adopting erosion and sedimentation control regulations for 

construction and farming.
25Flood

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

F-7 Improve Flood

Risk Assessment

FEMA Resources/Publications

FEMA 416, 467-1, B-797

Heighten awareness of flood risk with the following:

▪ Incorporating the procedures for tracking high water marks 

following a flood into emergency response plans.

▪ Conducting cumulative impact analyses for multiple development 

projects within the same watershed.

▪ Conducting a verification study of FEMA’s repetitive loss inventory 

and developing an associated tracking database.

▪ Regularly calculating and documenting the amount of flood-prone 

property preserved as open space.

▪ Requiring a thorough watershed analysis for all proposed dam or 

reservoir projects.

▪ Developing a dam failure study and emergency action plan.

▪ Using GIS to map areas that are at risk of flooding.

▪ Obtaining depth grid data and using it to illustrate flood risk 

to citizens.

▪ Incorporating digital floodplain and topographic data into GIS 

systems, in conjunction with Hazus, to assess risk.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

exposure to flood risk.

▪ Revising and updating regulatory floodplain maps.

F-8 Join or Improve Compliance

with NFIP

FEMA Resources/Publications

FEMA 100, 209, FIA-15A, 

NFIP Technical Bulletins

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) enables property

owners in participating communities to purchase insurance

protection against flood losses. Actions to achieve eligibility and

maintain compliance include:

▪ Participating in NFIP.

▪ Adopting ordinances that meet minimum Federal and state 

requirements to comply with NFIP.

▪ Conducting NFIP community workshops to provide information 

and incentives for property owners to acquire flood insurance.

▪ Designating a local floodplain manager and/or CRS coordinator 

who achieves CFM certification.

▪ Completing and maintaining FEMA elevation certificates for 

pre-FIRM and/or post-FIRM buildings.

▪ Requiring and maintaining FEMA elevation certificates for all new 

and improved buildings located in floodplains.
26

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

F-9 Manage the Floodplain

Beyond Minimum

Requirements

FEMA Resources/Publications

FEMA 100, 209, 213, 268, 480; 

FIA-15A

In addition to participation in NFIP, implementing good floodplain

management techniques that exceed minimum requirements can

help minimize flood losses. Examples include:

▪ Incorporating the ASFPM’s “No Adverse Impact” policy into local 

floodplain management programs.

▪ Revising the floodplain ordinance to incorporate cumulative 

substantial damage requirements.

▪ Adopting a “no-rise” in base flood elevation clause for the flood 

damage prevention ordinance.

▪ Extending the freeboard requirement past the mapped floodplain 

to include an equivalent land elevation.

▪ Including requirements in the local floodplain ordinance for 

homeowners to sign non-conversion agreements for areas below 

base flood elevation.

▪ Establishing and publicizing a user-friendly, publicly-accessible 

repository for inquirers to obtain Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

▪ Developing an educational flyer targeting NFIP policyholders on 

increased cost of compliance during post-flood 

damage assessments.

▪ Annually notifying the owners of repetitive loss properties of Flood 

Mitigation Assistance funding.

▪ Offering incentives for building above the required freeboard 

minimum (code plus).

F-10 Participate in the CRS

FEMA Resources/Publications

FEMA 100, 209, 213, 268, 480; 

FIA-15A

The Community Rating System (CRS) rewards communities that

exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. Depending upon the

level of participation, flood insurance premium rates are discounted

for policyholders. Potential activities that are eligible to receive

credit include:

▪ Advising the public about the local flood hazard, flood insurance, 

and flood protection measures.

▪ Enacting and enforcing regulations that exceed NFIP 

minimum standards so that more flood protection is provided for 

new development.

▪ Implementing damage reduction measures for existing buildings 

such as acquisition, relocation, retrofitting, and maintenance of 

drainageways and retention basins.

▪ Taking action to minimize the effects of flooding on people, 

property, and building contents through measures including flood 

warning, emergency response, and evacuation planning.

F-11 Establish Local

Funding Mechanisms

for Flood Mitigation

Potential methods to develop local funding sources for flood

mitigation include:

▪ Using taxes to support a regulatory system.

▪ Using impact fees to help fund public projects to mitigate impacts of 

land development (e.g., increased runoff).

▪ Levying taxes to finance maintenance of drainage systems and 

capital improvements.
27Flood

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

F-12 Remove Existing Structures

from Flood Hazard Areas

Communities may remove structures from flood-prone areas to

minimize future flood losses by acquiring and demolishing or

relocating structures from voluntary property owners and preserving

lands subject to repetitive flooding.

F-13 Improve Stormwater

Drainage System Capacity

Rainwater and snowmelt can cause flooding and erosion in

developed areas. Structural stormwater management projects that

prevent this include:

▪ Installing, re-routing, or increasing the capacity of a storm 

drainage system.

▪ Increasing drainage or absorption capacities with detention and 

retention basins, relief drains, spillways, drain widening/dredging or 

rerouting, logjam and debris removal, extra culverts, bridge 

modification, dike setbacks, flood gates and pumps, or channel 

redirection.

▪ Increasing capacity of stormwater detention and retention basins.

▪ Increasing dimensions of drainage culverts in flood-prone areas.

▪ Using stream restoration to ensure adequate drainage and diversion 

of stormwater. 

▪ Requiring developers to construct on-site retention basins for 

excessive stormwater and as a firefighting water source.

▪ Providing grassy swales along roadsides.

F-14 Conduct Regular

Maintenance for Drainage

Systems and Flood

Control Structures

Regular maintenance will help drainage systems and flood control

structures continue to function properly. Potential activities include:

▪ Performing regular drainage system maintenance, such as sediment 

and debris clearance, as well as detection and prevention of discharges 

into stormwater and sewer systems from home footing drains, 

downspouts, or sewer pumps.

▪ Implementing an inspection, maintenance, and enforcement program 

to help ensure continued structural integrity of dams and levees.

▪ Routinely cleaning debris from support bracing underneath 

low-lying bridges.

▪ Routinely cleaning and repairing stormwater drains.

▪ Regularly clearing sediment build-up on riverbanks near aerial lines.

▪ Inspecting bridges and identifying if any repairs or retrofits are needed 

to prevent scour.

▪ Incorporating ice jam prevention techniques as appropriate.
28 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

F-15 Elevate or Retrofit

Structures and Utilities

FEMA Resources/Publications

FEMA 54, P-85, 114, P-259, 347, 

P-348, P-499

Structures and utilities can be elevated to reduce flood

damage, including:

▪ Elevating structures so that the lowest floor, including the 

basement, is raised above the base flood elevation. 

▪ Raising utilities or other mechanical devices above expected 

flood levels.

▪ Elevating and anchoring manufactured homes or, preferably, 

keeping manufactured homes out of the floodplain.

▪ Relocating utilities and water heaters above base flood elevation 

and using tankless water heaters in limited spaces.

F-16 Floodproof Residential and

Non-Residential Structures

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-55, 114, P-259

Floodproofing techniques may protect certain structures from flood

damage, including:

▪ Wet floodproofing in a basement, which may be preferable to 

attempting to keep water out completely because it allows for 

controlled flooding to balance exterior and interior wall forces and 

discourages structural collapse. 

▪ Encouraging wet floodproofing of areas above base flood elevation.

▪ Using water resistant paints or other materials to allow for easy 

cleanup after floodwater exposure in accessory structures or in a 

garage area below an elevated residential structure.

▪ Dry floodproofing non-residential structures by strengthening 

walls, sealing openings, or using waterproof compounds or plastic 

sheeting on walls to keep water out.
29Flood

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

F-17 Protect Infrastructure

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-259, 345, 543, B-797

Mitigation techniques can be implemented to help minimize losses

to infrastructure from flood events, such as:

▪ Elevating roads and bridges above the base flood elevation to 

maintain dry access. In situations where flood waters tend to wash 

roads out, construction, reconstruction, or repair can include not 

only attention to drainage, but also stabilization or armoring of 

vulnerable shoulders or embankments.

▪ Raising low-lying bridges.

▪ Floodproofing wastewater treatment facilities located in flood 

hazard areas.

▪ Floodproofing water treatment facilities located in flood 

hazard areas.

▪ Depending on its infrastructure capabilities, using check valves, 

sump pumps, and backflow prevention devices in homes 

and buildings.

▪ Using bioengineered bank stabilization techniques.

Techniques to protect critical facilities from flood events include:

▪ Requiring that all critical facilities including emergency operations 

centers (EOC), police stations, and fire department facilities be 

located outside of flood-prone areas.

▪ Requiring all critical facilities to meet requirements of Executive 

Order 11988 and be built 1 foot above the 500-year 

flood elevation.

▪ Installing/upgrading stormwater pumping stations.

▪ Raising electrical components of sewage lift stations above base 

flood elevation. 

▪ Raising manhole openings using concrete pillars.

▪ Installing watertight covers or inflow guards on sewer manholes.

▪ Installing flood telemetry systems in sewage lift stations.

▪ Installing back-up generators for pumping and lift stations in 

sanitary sewer systems along with other measures (e.g., alarms, 

meters, remote controls, and switchgear upgrades).

▪ Building earthen dikes around flood-threatened critical facilities.

▪ Using bioengineered bank stabilization techniques.

F-18 Protect Critical Facilities

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-259, 345, 543, B-797

F-19 Construct Flood

Control Measures

Small flood control structures can be built to prevent flood damage.

Examples include:

▪ Using minor structural projects that are smaller and more localized 

(e.g., floodwalls or small berms) in areas that cannot be mitigated 

through non-structural activities or where structural activities are 

not feasible due to low densities.

▪ Using revetments (hardened materials placed atop existing 

riverbanks or slopes) to protect against floods.

▪ Using bioengineered bank stabilization techniques.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects
30 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Natural Systems Protection

F-20 Protect and Restore Natural

Flood Mitigation Features

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 100, 268

Natural resources provide floodplain protection, riparian buffers, and

other ecosystem services that mitigate flooding. It is important to

preserve such functionality with the following:

▪ Protecting and enhancing landforms that serve as natural 

mitigation features (i.e., riverbanks, wetlands, dunes, etc.).

▪ Using vegetative management, such as vegetative buffers, around 

streams and water sources.

▪ Protecting and preserving wetlands to help prevent flooding 

in other areas.

▪ Establishing and managing riparian buffers along rivers 

and streams.

▪ Retaining natural vegetative beds in stormwater channels.

▪ Retaining thick vegetative cover on public lands flanking rivers.

F-21 Preserve Floodplains

as Open Space

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 100, 268

Preserving natural areas and vegetation benefits natural resources

while also mitigating potential flood losses. Techniques include:

▪ Developing an open space acquisition, reuse, and preservation 

plan targeting hazard areas.

▪ Developing a land banking program for the preservation of the 

natural and beneficial functions of flood hazard areas.

▪ Using transfer of development rights to allow a developer to 

increase densities on another parcel that is not at risk in return for 

keeping floodplain areas vacant.

▪ Compensating an owner for partial rights, such as easement or 

development rights, to prevent a property from being developed.

F-22 Increase Awareness of

Flood Risk and Safety

Ideas for increasing flood risk awareness include the following:

▪ Encouraging homeowners to purchase flood insurance.

▪ Annually distributing flood protection safety pamphlets or 

brochures to the owners of flood-prone property.

▪ Educating citizens about safety during flood conditions, including 

the dangers of driving on flooded roads. 

▪ Using outreach programs to advise homeowners of risks to life, 

health, and safety.

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and 

design professionals.

▪ Establishing a Program for Public Information (PPI) with a PPI 

committee (as suggested by Activity 332 of the CRS 

Coordinator’s Manual).
31Flood

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

F-23 Educate Property

Owners about Flood

Mitigation Techniques

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA Building Code Tool Kit (FEMA CD)

Educate property owners regarding options for mitigating their

properties from flooding through outreach activities such as:

▪ Using outreach activities to facilitate technical assistance programs 

that address measures that citizens can take or facilitate funding for 

mitigation measures.

▪ Encouraging homeowners to install backflow valves to prevent 

reverse-flow flood damages.

▪ Encouraging residents in flood-prone areas to elevate homes.

▪ Educating the public about securing debris, propane tanks, yard 

items, or stored objects that may otherwise be swept away, 

damaged, or pose a hazard if picked up and washed away 

by floodwaters.

▪ Asking residents to help keep storm drains clear of debris during 

storms (not to rely solely on Public Works).

Other flooding-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Storm Surge,” “Erosion,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
32 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

This page was left intentionally blank
 

 

Hail

Hailstorms are a potentially damaging outgrowth of 

severe thunderstorms. Hailstorms frequently accompany 

thunderstorms, so their locations and spatial extents 

overlap. Hail can cause substantial damage to vehicles, roofs, 

landscaping, and other areas of the built environment. U.S. 

agriculture is typically the area most affected by hail storms, 

which cause severe crop damage even during minor events.
34 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

HA-1 Locate Safe Rooms to

Minimize Damage

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 320, 453

Locate tornado safe rooms inside or directly adjacent to houses to

prevent hail-induced injuries that may occur when taking shelter

during a severe thunderstorm.

HA-2 Protect Buildings from

Hail Damage

For new construction as well as retrofitting existing buildings,

techniques to minimize hail damage include:

▪ Including measures such as structural bracing, shutters, laminated 

glass in window panes, and hail-resistant roof coverings or flashing 

in building design to minimize damage. 

▪ Improving roof sheathing to prevent hail penetration.

▪ Installing hail resistant roofing and siding.

▪ Contacting the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety 

(IBHS) to learn more about the most appropriate type of roof 

covering for your geographic region.

Education and Awareness Programs

HA-3 Increase Hail

Risk Awareness

Conduct outreach activities to increase public awareness of hail

dangers, including:

▪ Mailing safety brochures with monthly water bills. 

▪ Posting warning signage at local parks, county fairs, and other 

outdoor venues.

▪ Teaching school children about the dangers of hail and how to take 

safety precautions.

Other hail-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the section entitled “Multiple Hazards” 

for other possible ideas.
 

 

Landslide

The movement of a mass of rock, debris, or earth 

down a slope by force of gravity is considered a 

landslide. Landslides occur when the slope or soil 

stability changes from stable to unstable, which may 

be caused by earthquakes, storms, volcanic eruptions, 

erosion, fire, or additional human-induced activities. 

Slopes greater than 10 degrees are more likely to 

slide, as are slopes where the height from the top 

of the slope to its toe is greater than 40 feet. Slopes 

are also more likely to fail if vegetative cover is low 

and/or soil water content is high. Potential impacts 

include environmental disturbance, property and 

infrastructure damage, and injuries or fatalities. 
36 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

LS-1 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Landslides

Improve data and mapping on specific landslide risks in the

community by:

▪ Studying areas where riparian landslides may occur. 

▪ Completing an inventory of locations where critical facilities, other 

buildings, and infrastructure are vulnerable to landslides. 

▪ Using GIS to identify and map landslide hazard areas.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability to landslides.

▪ Assessing vegetation in wildfire-prone areas to prevent landslides 

after fires (e.g., encourage plants with strong root systems).

LS-2 Manage Development

in Landslide Hazard Areas

Landslide risk can be mitigated by regulating development in

landslide hazard areas through actions such as:

▪ Creating a plan to implement reinforcement measures in 

high-risk areas.

▪ Defining steep slope/high-risk areas in land use and comprehensive 

plans and creating guidelines or restricting new development in 

those areas.

▪ Creating or increasing setback limits on parcels near high-risk areas. 

▪ Locating utilities outside of landslide areas to decrease the risk of 

service disruption.

▪ Restricting or limiting industrial activity that would strip slopes of 

essential top soil.

▪ Incorporating economic development activity restrictions in 

high-risk areas.
37Landslide

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

LS-3 Prevent Impacts

to Roadways

To prevent roadway damage and traffic disruptions from landslides,

consider options such as:

▪ Implementing monitoring mechanisms/procedures (i.e., visual 

inspection or electronic monitoring systems).

▪ Applying soil stabilization measures, such as planting soilstabilizing vegetation on steep, publicly-owned slopes.

▪ Using debris-flow measures that may reduce damage in sloping 

areas, such as stabilization, energy dissipation, and flow 

control measures.

▪ Establishing setback requirements and using large setbacks when 

building roads near slopes of marginal stability.

▪ Installing catch-fall nets for rocks at steep slopes near roadways.

LS-4 Remove Existing Buildings

and Infrastructure from

Landslide Hazard Areas

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 182

To help mitigate landslide hazards, communities can acquire and

demolish or relocate at-risk buildings and infrastructure and enforce

permanent restrictions on development after land and structure

acquisition.

Other landslide-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled “Erosion,” 

“Subsidence,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas. 
38 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

This page was left intentionally blank
 

 

Lightning

Lightning is a discharge of electrical energy that results 

from the buildup of positive and negative charges in a 

thunderstorm, which creates a “bolt” when the buildup 

of charges becomes strong enough. On average, 55 

people are killed and hundreds are injured each year 

by lightning strikes in the United States. Lightning can 

strike communications equipment (e.g., radio or cell 

towers, antennae, satellite dishes, etc.) and hamper 

communication and emergency response. Lightning strikes 

can also cause significant damage to buildings, critical 

facilities, and infrastructure, largely by igniting a fire. 

Lightning can also ignite a wildfire. 
40 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

L-1 Protect Critical Facilities

and Equipment

Protect critical facilities and infrastructure from lighting damage

with the following measures:

▪ Installing lightning protection devices and methods, such as 

lightning rods and grounding, on communications infrastructure 

and other critical facilities.

▪ Installing and maintaining surge protection on critical 

electronic equipment. 

Education and Awareness Programs

L-2 Conduct Lightning

Awareness Programs

Use outreach programs to promote awareness of lightning dangers.

This could include ideas such as:

▪ Developing a lightning brochure for distribution by recreation 

equipment retailers or outfitters in mountainous areas.

▪ Mailing safety brochures with monthly water bills.

▪ Posting warning signage at local parks.

▪ Teaching school children about the dangers of lightning and how 

to take safety precautions.

Other lightning-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the section entitled 

“Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
 

 

Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise causes land loss in low-lying coastal areas, 

such as coastal wetlands and barrier islands, and occurs 

at the highest rates where land is already subsiding. Sea 

level rise also exacerbates erosion and flooding as new 

areas become vulnerable to storm surge, wave action, 

and tides.1 Climate change models predict that sea level 

risk will accelerate in the next century. This could result 

in billions of dollars in losses.

1 Adapting to Climate Change: A Planning Guide for State Coastal Managers,

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Ocean and Coastal

Resource Management, 2010.
42 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

SLR-1 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Sea Level Rise

To better understand and assess local vulnerability to sea level rise,

consider actions such as:

▪ Modeling various “what-if” scenarios to estimate 

potential vulnerabilities in order to develop sea level rise 

mitigation priorities.

▪ Using GIS to map hazard areas, at-risk structures, and associated 

hazards (e.g., flood and storm surge) to assess high-risk areas.

▪ Developing an inventory of public buildings and infrastructure that 

may be particularly vulnerable to sea level rise.

▪ Adding future conditions hydrology and areas that may be 

inundated by sea level rise to Digital Flood Insurance Rate 

Maps (DFIRM).

SLR-2 Manage Development in

High-Risk Areas

Local governments can mitigate future losses resulting from sea level

rise by regulating development in potential hazard areas through

land use planning, including:

▪ Using zoning, subdivision regulations, and/or a special sea level rise 

overlay district to designate high-risk areas and specify the 

conditions for the use and development of specific areas.

▪ Promoting conservation and management of open space, wetlands, 

and/or sea level rise boundary zones to separate developed areas 

from high-hazard areas.

▪ Prohibiting the redevelopment of areas destroyed by storms or 

chronic erosion in order to prevent future losses.

▪ Encouraging compact community design in low-risk areas.

▪ Establishing setbacks in high-risk areas that account for potential 

sea level rise.

SRL-3 Prevent Infrastructure

Expansion in High-Risk Areas

Future development can be protected from damage resulting from

sea level rise through the following:

▪ Setting guidelines for annexation and service extensions in 

high-risk areas.

▪ Locating utilities and critical facilities outside of areas susceptible to 

sea level rise to decrease the risk of service disruption.

▪ Requiring all critical facilities to be built 1 foot above the 500-year 

flood elevation (considering wave action) or the predicted sea level 

rise level, whichever is higher.
43Sea Level Rise

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

SRL-4 Protect Buildings

and Infrastructure

Existing structures, infrastructure, and critical facilities can be

protected from sea level rise through the following:

▪ Acquiring and demolishing or relocating structures located in 

high-risk areas. 

▪ Retrofitting structures to elevate them above potential sea level 

rise levels.

▪ Retrofitting critical facilities to be 1 foot above the 500-year flood 

elevation (considering wave action) or the predicted sea level rise 

level, whichever is higher.

▪ Replacing exterior building components with more hazardresistant materials.

Natural Systems Protection

SLR-5 Preserve High-Hazard

Areas as Open Space

Preserve open space to benefit natural resources and to reduce risk

to structures from potential sea level rise. Techniques include:

▪ Developing an open space acquisition, reuse, and preservation 

plan targeting hazard areas.

▪ Developing a land banking program for the preservation and 

management of the natural and beneficial functions of flood 

hazard areas.

▪ Adopting rolling easements along the shoreline to promote natural 

migration of shorelines.

▪ Using transfer of development rights to allow a developer to 

increase densities on another parcel that is not at risk in return for 

keeping floodplain areas vacant.

▪ Compensating an owner for partial rights, such as easement or 

development rights, to prevent a property from being developed.
44 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Natural Systems Protection

SLR-6 Protect and Restore

Natural Buffers

Natural resources provide floodplain protection, riparian buffers, and

other ecosystem services that mitigate sea level rise. It is important

to preserve such functionality with the following:

▪ Examining the appropriate use of beach nourishment, sand 

scraping, dune-gap plugs, etc., for coastal hazards.

▪ Implementing dune restoration, plantings (e.g., sea oats), and use 

of natural materials.

▪ Examining the appropriate use of sediment-trapping vegetation, 

sediment mounds, etc., for coastal hazards.

▪ Planting sediment-trapping vegetation to buffer the coast against 

coastal storms by collecting sediment in protective features such as 

dunes or barrier islands.

▪ Performing sand scraping—using bulldozers to deposit the top foot 

of sand above the high-tide line—to reinforce the beach without 

adding new sand.

▪ Using sediment mounds to act as artificial dunes or plugs for 

natural dune gaps in order to slow the inland progress of stormrelated wind and water.

Education and Awareness Programs

SLR-7 Increase Awareness of

Sea Level Rise

Improve public awareness of risks due to sea level rise through

outreach activities such as:

▪ Encouraging homeowners to purchase flood insurance.

▪ Using outreach programs to facilitate technical assistance programs 

that address measures that citizens can take or facilitate funding for 

mitigation measures.

▪ Annually distributing flood protection safety pamphlets or 

brochures to the owners of property in high-risk areas.

▪ Educating citizens about safety during flood conditions, including 

the dangers of driving on flooded roads. 

▪ Using outreach programs to advise homeowners of risks to life, 

health, and safety.

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and 

design professionals.

▪ Disclosing the location of possible sea level rise areas to 

potential buyers.

Other sea level rise-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled “Flood,” 

“Storm Surge,” “Erosion,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.

Climate change is likely to exacerbate the effects of other hazards as well. See the other sections for possible ideas.
 

 

Severe Wind

Severe wind can occur alone, such as during straightline wind events and derechos, or it can accompany 

other natural hazards, including hurricanes and severe 

thunderstorms. Severe wind poses a threat to lives, 

property, and vital utilities primarily due to the effects of 

flying debris or downed trees and power lines. Severe wind 

will typically cause the greatest damage to structures of 

light construction, particularly manufactured homes.
46 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

SW-1 Adopt and Enforce

Building Codes

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-85, P-804

Adopt regulations governing residential construction to prevent wind

damage. Examples of appropriate regulations are:

▪ Adopting the International Building Code (IBC) and International 

Residential Code (IRC).

▪ Adopting standards from International Code Council (ICC)-600 

Standard for Residential Construction in High-Wind Regions.

▪ Reviewing building codes and structural policies to ensure they are 

adequate to protect older structures from wind damage.

▪ Requiring or encouraging wind engineering measures and 

construction techniques that may include structural bracing, straps 

and clips, anchor bolts, laminated or impact-resistant glass, 

reinforced pedestrian and garage doors, window shutters, 

waterproof adhesive sealing strips, or interlocking roof shingles.

▪ Requiring tie-downs with anchors and ground anchors appropriate 

for the soil type for manufactured homes.

▪ Prohibiting the use of carports and open coverings attached to 

manufactured homes.

▪ Requiring the use of special interlocking shingles designed to 

interlock and resist uplift forces in extreme wind conditions to 

reduce damage to a roof or other structures. 

▪ Improving nailing patterns.

▪ Requiring building foundation design, braced elevated platforms, 

and protections against the lateral forces of winds and waves.

▪ Requiring new masonry chimneys greater than 6 feet above a roof 

to have continuous reinforced steel bracing.

▪ Requiring structures on temporary foundations to be securely 

anchored to permanent foundations.

SW-2 Promote or Require Site

and Building Design Standards

to Minimize Wind Damage

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-499, 550

Damage associated with severe wind events can be reduced or

prevented if considered during building and site design. Examples

include the following:

▪ Using natural environmental features as wind buffers in 

site design.

▪ Incorporating passive ventilation in the building design. 

▪ Incorporating passive ventilation in the site design. Passive 

ventilation systems use a series of vents in exterior walls or at 

exterior windows to allow outdoor air to enter the home in a 

controlled way.

▪ Encouraging architectural designs that limit potential for 

wind-borne debris.

▪ Improving architectural design standards for optimal 

wind conveyance.

▪ Encouraging wind-resistant roof shapes (e.g., hip over gable).
47Severe Wind

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

SW-3 Assess Vulnerability to

Severe Wind

In order to better understand and assess local vulnerability to severe

wind, consider actions such as:

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability to severe wind.

▪ Using GIS to map areas that are at risk to the wind hazard 

associated with different hurricane conditions (e.g., Category 1, 2, 3, 

etc.) and to identify concentrations of at-risk structures.

▪ Creating a severe wind scenario to estimate potential loss of life 

and injuries, the types of potential damage, and existing 

vulnerabilities within a community to develop severe wind 

mitigation priorities.

▪ Using Hazus to quantitatively estimate potential losses from 

hurricane wind.

SW-4 Protect Power Lines and

Infrastructure

The regular maintenance and upkeep of utilities can help prevent

wind damage. Possible strategies are:

▪ Establishing standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning 

around lines.

▪ Incorporating inspection and management of hazardous trees into 

the drainage system maintenance process.

▪ Preemptively testing power line holes to determine if they 

are rotting.

▪ Inspecting utility poles to ensure they meet specifications and are 

wind resistant.

▪ Burying power lines to provide uninterrupted power after severe 

winds, considering both maintenance and repair issues. 

▪ Upgrading overhead utility lines (e.g., adjust utility pole sizes, utility 

pole span widths, and/or line strength).

▪ Avoiding use of aerial extensions to water, sewer, and gas lines.

▪ Using designed-failure mode for power line design to allow lines 

to fall or fail in small sections rather than as a complete system to 

enable faster restoration.

▪ Installing redundancies and loopfeeds.
48 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

SW-5 Retrofit Residential

Buildings

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 320, 361, 453, P-499, P-804

The following types of modifications or retrofits to existing

residential buildings can reduce future wind damage:

▪ Improving the building envelope.

▪ Installing hurricane shutters or other protective measures.

▪ Retrofitting gable end walls to eliminate wall failures in high winds.

▪ Replacing existing non-ductile infrastructure with ductile 

infrastructure to reduce their exposure to hazardous events.

▪ Retrofitting buildings with load-path connectors to strengthen the 

structural frames.

▪ Installing safe rooms.

▪ Reinforcing garage doors.

▪ Inspecting and retrofitting roofs to adequate standards to provide 

wind resistance.

SW-6 Retrofit Public Buildings

and Critical Facilities

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 361, P-499, 550

Public buildings and critical facilities can be retrofitted to reduce

future wind damage with the following actions:

▪ Improving roof coverings (e.g., no pebbles, remove ballast 

roof systems).

▪ Anchoring roof-mounted heating, ventilation, and air 

conditioning units.

▪ Retrofitting buildings with load-path connectors to strengthen the 

structural frames.

▪ Retrofitting or constructing the emergency operations center to 

FEMA 361 standards.

▪ Avoiding placing flag poles or antennas near buildings.

▪ Upgrading and maintaining existing lightning protection systems 

to prevent roof cover damage.

▪ Requiring upgrading of reused buildings that will house 

critical facilities.

▪ Protecting traffic lights and other traffic controls from high winds.

▪ Converting traffic lights to mast arms.
49Severe Wind

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

SW-7 Increase Severe

Wind Risk Awareness

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-431, P-804

Improve public awareness of severe wind through outreach activities

such as:

▪ Informing residents of shelter locations and evacuation routes.

▪ Educating homeowners on the benefits of wind retrofits such as 

shutters, hurricane clips, etc.

▪ Ensuring that school officials are aware of the best area of refuge in 

school buildings.

▪ Instructing property owners on how to properly install temporary 

window coverings before a storm.

▪ Educating design professionals to include wind mitigation during 

building design.

Other severe wind-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled “Multiple 

Hazards” and “Tornadoes” for other possible ideas.
50 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

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Severe Winter 

Weather

Severe winter storms may include snow, sleet, freezing 

rain, or a mix of these wintry forms of precipitation. 

Severe winter weather can down trees, cause 

widespread power outages, damage property, and 

cause fatalities and injuries.
52 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

WW-1 Adopt and Enforce

Building Codes

Buildings and infrastructure can be protected from the impacts of

winter storms with the following regulations:

▪ Adopting the International Building Code (IBC) and International 

Residential Code (IRC).

▪ Ensuring the development and enforcement of building codes for 

roof snow loads. 

▪ Discouraging flat roofs in areas that experience heavy snows.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

WW-2 Protect Buildings

and Infrastructure

Buildings and infrastructure can be protected from the impacts of

winter storms with the following techniques:

▪ Adding building insulation to walls and attics.

▪ As buildings are modified, using new technology to create or 

increase structural stability.

▪ Retrofitting public buildings to withstand snow loads and prevent 

roof collapse.

WW-3 Protect Power Lines Power lines can be protected from the impacts of winter storms with

the following techniques:

▪ Establishing standards for all utilities regarding tree pruning 

around lines.

▪ Burying overhead power lines.

▪ Using designed-failure mode for power line design to allow lines 

to fall or fail in small sections rather than as a complete system to 

enable faster restoration. 

▪ Installing redundancies and loopfeeds.

WW-4 Reduce Impacts

to Roadways

The leading cause of death during winter storms is from automobile

or other transportation accidents, so it is important to consider ways

to lessen roadway impacts. Potential strategies include:

▪ Planning for and maintaining adequate road and debris 

clearing capabilities.

▪ Using snow fences or “living snow fences” (e.g., rows of trees or 

other vegetation) to limit blowing and drifting of snow over critical 

roadway segments.

▪ Installing roadway heating technology to prevent ice/snow buildup.
53Severe Winter Weather

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

WW-5 Conduct Winter Weather

Risk Awareness Activities

Public awareness of severe winter storms can be improved through

the following efforts:

▪ Informing the public about severe winter weather impacts. 

▪ Producing and distributing family and traveler emergency 

preparedness information about severe winter weather hazards. 

▪ Including safety strategies for severe weather in driver education 

classes and materials. 

▪ Encouraging homeowners to install carbon monoxide monitors 

and alarms. 

▪ Educating citizens that all fuel-burning equipment should be 

vented to the outside.

WW-6 Assist Vulnerable

Populations

Protect vulnerable populations from the impacts of severe winter

storms through the following efforts:

▪ Identifying specific at-risk populations that may be exceptionally 

vulnerable in the event of long-term power outages.

▪ Organizing outreach to vulnerable populations, including 

establishing and promoting accessible heating centers in 

the community.

Other winter weather-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Extreme Temperatures” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
54 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

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Storm Surge

A storm surge is a large dome of water, often 50 to 

100 miles wide, that rises anywhere from 4 to 5 feet 

in a Category 1 hurricane and up to more than 30 feet 

in a Category 5 storm. Storm surge arrives prior to a 

hurricane’s landfall, and the greater the hurricane’s 

intensity, the sooner the surge arrives. Storm surge can 

be devastating to coastal regions, causing flooding, 

severe beach erosion, and property damage along the 

immediate coast. Furthermore, water can rise very rapidly 

due to storm surge, posing a serious threat to people 

remaining in inundation areas. 
56 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

SS-1 Adopt Building Codes

and Development Standards

Building codes and development standards can be established to

mitigate storm surge damage. Possible regulations include:

▪ Adopting the International Building Code (IBC) and International 

Residential Code (IRC).

▪ Adopting ASCE-24-05 Flood Resistant Design and Construction. 

ASCE 24, created by the American Society of Civil Engineers, is a 

referenced standard in the IBC that specifies minimum 

requirements and expected performance for the design and 

construction of buildings and structures in flood hazard areas to 

make them more resistant to flood loads and flood damage.

▪ Establishing design standards for buildings located in areas 

susceptible to storm surge.

▪ Implementing V-zone construction requirements for new 

development located in coastal A-zones. 

▪ Adopting building requirements for higher elevation in 

inundation zones.

▪ Requiring open foundations (e.g., piles or piers) in coastal areas.

▪ Requiring deep foundations in order to avoid erosion and scour.

SS-2 Improve Land Use

Planning and Regulations

Land uses should be planned and regulated to minimize the impact

of storm surge. Possible measures to implement include:

▪ Developing and maintaining a beach management plan.

▪ Adopting shoreline setback regulations and establishing coastal 

setback lines.

▪ Adopting coastal zone management regulations.

▪ Eliminating all obstructions in areas along the coast subject to 

inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event with 

additional hazards associated with storm-induced waves (also 

known as the V-zone).

▪ Planning for future storm surge heights due to sea level rise. 

▪ Limiting or prohibiting development in areas along the coast 

subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event 

with additional hazards associated with storm-induced waves 

(referred to as the V-zone on Flood Insurance Rate Maps).

▪ Adopting coastal A-zones, areas of special flood hazard that extend 

inland and are subject to breaking waves between 1.5 and 3 feet, 

and ensuring that they are mapped accurately.

▪ Adopting and enforcing coastal A-zones in A-zones.

SS-3 Minimize Risk to New

Facilities and Infrastructure

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-55, P-499, B-797

Infrastructure and critical facilities can be protected from storm

surge damage through the following:

▪ Locating future critical facilities outside of areas susceptible to 

storm surge.

▪ Requiring that all critical facilities meet requirements of Executive 

Order 11988 and be built 1 foot above the 500-year flood elevation 

(considering wave action).
57Storm Surge

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

SS-4 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Storm Surge

Storm surge risk can be better assessed and monitored with

mapping techniques, including the following:

▪ Using GIS to map areas that are at risk to inundation by 

storm surge.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability to storm surge.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

SS-5 Construct Structural

Control Techniques

Structural controls can be used to lessen the impact of storm surge.

Examples include the following:

▪ Constructing groins to capture material along the shoreline in order 

to trap and retain sand.

▪ Installing geotextile sand tubes to trap sand or protect 

beachfront properties.

▪ Building a coastal berm to absorb waves and protect the shoreline 

from erosion.

▪ Building a storm berm to keep rock protection in place and provide 

a slow supply of sediment to the coastal system.

SS-6 Protect Infrastructure

and Critical Facilities

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-55, P-499, B-797 

Infrastructure and critical facilities can be protected from damage by

storm surge through the following:

▪ Reorienting near-shore roads so they are parallel (not 

perpendicular) to the beach to prevent the channelization of storm 

surge and wind inland.

▪ Constructing seawalls or other structures to protect critical facilities 

located on the shoreline.

▪ Relocating existing vulnerable critical facilities outside of 

high-risk areas.
58 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Natural Systems Protection

SS-7 Protect and Restore

Natural Buffers

Natural resources provide floodplain protection, riparian buffers,

and other ecosystem services that mitigate storm surge risk. It is

important to preserve such functionality with the following:

▪ Examining the appropriate use of beach nourishment, sand 

scraping, dune-gap plugs, etc., for coastal hazards.

▪ Implementing dune restoration, plantings (e.g., sea oats), and use 

of natural materials.

▪ Evaluating the appropriate use of sediment-trapping vegetation, 

sediment mounds, etc., for coastal hazards.

▪ Planting sediment-trapping vegetation to make the coast more 

resistant to coastal storms by collecting sediment in protective 

features such as dunes or barrier islands.

▪ Performing sand scraping—using bulldozers to deposit the top foot 

of sand above the high-tide line—to reinforce the beach without 

adding new sand.

▪ Using sediment mounts to act as artificial dunes or plugs for 

natural dune gaps in order to slow the inland progress of 

storm-related wind and water.

Education and Awareness Programs

SS-8 Provide Information

on High-Risk Areas

Increase public awareness of storm surge risk through the

following actions:

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and 

design professionals.

▪ More accurately mapping problem areas to educate residents 

about unanticipated risks. Upgrading maps provides a truer 

measure of risks to a community.

▪ Educating property owners in high-risk areas about 

mitigation options.

▪ Educating the public about risks, preparedness measures, and 

evacuation procedures.

Other storm surge-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Flood” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
 

Subsidence

Subsidence is the gradual settling or sudden sinking 

of the Earth’s surface due to subsurface movement of 

earth materials. The level of subsidence ranges from a 

broad lowering to collapse of land surface. Most causes 

of subsidence are human-induced, such as groundwater 

pumpage, aquifer system compaction, drainage of 

organic soils, underground mining, hydrocompaction, 

natural compaction, sinkholes, and thawing 

permafrost. Areas located above or adjacent to karsts 

topography have a greater risk of experiencing 

subsidence. Sudden collapses of surface areas can 

damage and destroy buildings and infrastructure. 
60 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

SU-1 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Subsidence

Some areas with subsidence risk may not be fully identified in your

community. Consider actions such as:

▪ Using GIS to map areas that are susceptible to subsidence.

▪ Identifying and mapping old mining areas or geologically unstable 

terrain so that development can be prevented or eliminated.

▪ Using ground-penetrating radar to detect lava tubes and map 

their location.

▪ Supporting mapping efforts to identify areas of existing permafrost.

▪ Improving accuracy of hazard area maps to educate residents 

about unanticipated risks. Upgrading maps provides a truer 

measure of risks to a community.

SU-2 Manage Development

in High-Risk Areas

Development regulations should consider areas with poor soil

conditions, including the following:

▪ Prohibiting development in areas that have been identified as 

at-risk to subsidence.

▪ Restricting development in areas with soil that is considered poor 

or unsuitable for development.

SU-3 Consider Subsidence

in Building Design

If subsidence is considered during building design, future damage

may be prevented. Potential actions include:

▪ Educating design professionals about where to locate information 

on subsidence rates and maps.

▪ Incorporating structural designs that can resist loading associated 

with subsidence.

▪ Adopting an ordinance promoting permafrost sensitive 

construction practices.

▪ Including potential subsidence in freeboard calculations for 

buildings in flood-prone areas.

SU-4 Monitor Subsidence

Risk Factors

Several risk factors can be monitored to help predict subsidence,

such as the following:

▪ Monitoring areas at risk to subsidence by remaining aware of 

changes in groundwater levels. 

▪ Monitoring areas where natural resources are removed 

from underground. 

▪ Filling or buttressing subterranean open spaces, as with 

abandoned mines, to prevent or alleviate collapse.
61Subsidence

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

SU-5 Remove Existing Structures

from Subsidence Hazard Areas

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 20, P-85, 361, 453

To prevent property loss, acquire and demolish or relocate buildings

and infrastructure in high-risk areas.

Education and Awareness Programs

SU-6 Educate Residents

about Subsidence

Increase residents’ knowledge of subsidence through the following:

▪ Promoting community awareness of subsidence risks and impacts.

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and 

design professionals.

Other subsidence-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Landslide,” “Erosion,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
62 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

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Tornado

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that has 

contact with the ground and is often visible as a funnel 

cloud. The destruction caused by tornadoes ranges from 

light to catastrophic depending on the intensity, size, 

and duration of the storm. Typically, tornadoes cause 

the greatest damage to structures of light construction, 

including residential dwellings and particularly 

manufactured homes. Tornadoes are more likely to 

occur during the months of March through May and 

tend to form in the late afternoon and early evening.
64 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

T-1 Encourage Construction of

Safe Rooms

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 20, P-85, 320, 361, 

P-431, 453

Promote the construction and use of safe rooms by:

▪ Requiring construction of safe rooms in new schools, daycares, and 

nursing homes.

▪ Encouraging the construction and use of safe rooms in homes and 

shelter areas of manufactured home parks, fairgrounds, shopping 

malls, or other vulnerable public structures.

▪ Encouraging builders and homeowners to locate tornado safe 

rooms inside or directly adjacent to houses to prevent injuries due 

to flying debris or hail. 

▪ Developing a local grant program to assist homeowners who wish 

to construct a new safe room.

▪ Consulting guidance from FEMA P-320 - Taking Shelter From the 

Storm: Building a Safe Room For Your Home or Small Business and 

International Code Council (ICC)-500 Standard for the Design and 

Construction of Storm Shelters.

T-2 Require Wind-Resistant

Building Techniques

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-804

Require or encourage wind engineering measures and construction

techniques that may include the following:

▪ Structural bracing

▪ Straps and clips

▪ Anchor bolts 

▪ Laminated or impact-resistant glass 

▪ Reinforced pedestrian and garage doors 

▪ Window shutters 

▪ Waterproof adhesive sealing strips 

▪ Interlocking roof shingles 

Also, improve the selection of building materials so that windresistant materials are more readily available to the public. Consult

guidance from ICC-600 Standard for Residential Construction in 

High-Wind Regions.

Education and Awareness Programs

T-3 Conduct Tornado

Awareness Activities

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 182

Conduct outreach activities to increase awareness of tornado risk.

Activities could include the following:

▪ Educating citizens through media outlets.

▪ Conducting tornado drills in schools and public buildings.

▪ Teaching school children about the dangers of tornadoes and how 

to take safety precautions.

▪ Distributing tornado shelter location information.

▪ Supporting severe weather awareness week.

▪ Promoting use of National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) weather radios.

Other tornado wind-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Severe Wind” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
 

Tsunami

A tsunami is a series of great waves that are created 

by undersea disturbances, such as earthquakes or 

volcanic eruptions. As opposed to typical waves that 

crash at the shoreline, tsunamis bring a continuously 

flowing “wall of water” that has the potential to cause 

devastating damage in coastal areas immediately 

along the shore. Areas at greatest risk are less than 50 

feet above sea level and within 1 mile of the shoreline. 

Most deaths that occur during a tsunami result from 

drowning. Associated risks include flooding, polluted 

water supplies, and damaged gas lines. 
66 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

TSU-1 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Tsunami

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-646, 646-A

Tsunami risk can be better assessed and monitored with mapping

techniques, including the following:

▪ Using GIS to map areas that are vulnerable to inundation 

by tsunamis.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability to tsunamis.

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents and 

design professionals.

▪ Educating map users on the appropriate uses and limitations 

of maps.

▪ More accurately mapping problem areas to educate residents 

about unanticipated risks. Upgrading maps provides a truer 

measure of risks to a community.

TSU-2 Manage Development

in Tsunami Hazard Areas

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-55

Planning and regulations can mitigate tsunami damage in many

ways, such as:

▪ Adopting and enforcing building codes and design standards that 

contain requirements for tsunami-resistant design.

▪ Limiting new development in tsunami run-up areas.

▪ Encouraging new development that is configured to minimize 

tsunami losses by using site planning strategies that slow water 

currents, steer water forces, and block water forces. 

TSU-3 Protect Against Fire

Following Tsunami

Communities can encourage wildfire mitigation measures (i.e., tree

breaks) in tsunami-prone areas to reduce impacts of fires that may

occur after a tsunami hits the coastline.
67Tsunami

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

TSU-4 Build Tsunami Shelters Ensure the population is adequately protected from tsunami

inundation by constructing tsunami shelters.

TSU-5 Protect Buildings

and Infrastructure

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-646, 646-A

Ensure buildings and infrastructure are adequately protected from

tsunami inundation with the following:

▪ Requiring coastal structures to be built to standards that allow for 

proper vertical evacuation and to be specially designed and 

constructed to resist both tsunami and earthquake loads. 

▪ Locating new and relocating existing infrastructure and critical 

facilities outside of the tsunami hazard area.

▪ Elevating existing buildings above the inundation level.

▪ Relocating fire-prone infrastructure such as electrical lines or 

case tanks.

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

TSU-6 Increase Public

Awareness of Tsunami Hazard

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-646, 646-A

Improve public awareness and better prepare citizens for evacuation

during a tsunami by the following:

▪ Educating citizens regarding the dangers of tsunami and inform 

them of emergency procedures and routes to use should a 

tsunami warning be issued. 

▪ Conducting tsunami drills. 

▪ Designating tsunami inundation zones and marking 

evacuation routes. 

▪ Developing maps showing possible tsunami inundation areas and 

steering developers away from high-risk areas.

▪ Participating in NOAA’s TsunamiReady Community program.

Other tsunami-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the sections entitled 

“Flood,” “Storm Surge,” and “Multiple Hazards” for other possible ideas.
68 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

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Wildfire

A wildfire is any outdoor fire that is not controlled, 

supervised, or arranged. Wildfire probability depends 

on local weather conditions; outdoor activities such 

as camping, debris burning, and construction; and 

the degree of public cooperation with fire prevention 

measures. Wildfires can result in widespread damage 

to property and loss of life. 
70 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

WF-1 Map and Assess

Vulnerability to Wildfire

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-754

The first step in local planning is to identify wildfire hazard

areas and assess overall community vulnerability. Potential

actions include:

▪ Using GIS mapping of wildfire hazard areas to facilitate analysis 

and planning decisions through comparison with zoning, 

development, infrastructure, etc.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability to wildfire.

▪ Creating a wildfire scenario to estimate potential loss of life and 

injuries, the types of potential damage, and existing vulnerabilities 

within a community to develop wildfire mitigation priorities.

WF-2 Incorporate

Wildfire Mitigation in the

Comprehensive Plan

Communities can review comprehensive plans to ensure wildfire

mitigation has been addressed. The comprehensive plan may

include the following:

▪ Recognizing the existence of wildfire hazards and identifying areas 

of risk based on a wildfire vulnerability assessment.

▪ Describing policies and recommendation for addressing wildfire 

risk and discouraging expansion in the wildland-urban interface.

▪ Including considerations of wildfire hazards in land use, public 

safety, and other elements of the comprehensive plan.

WF-3 Reduce Risk through

Land Use Planning

Local governments can mitigate future losses by regulating

development in wildfire hazard areas through land use

planning, including:

▪ Using zoning and/or a special wildfire overlay district to designate 

high-risk areas and specify the conditions for the use and 

development of specific areas.

▪ Addressing density and quantity of development, as well 

emergency access, landscaping and water supply.

▪ Promoting conservation of open space or wildland-urban 

boundary zones to separate developed areas from 

high-hazard areas.

▪ Setting guidelines for annexation and service extensions in 

high-risk areas.
71Wildfire

Local Planning and Regulations

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

WF-4 Develop a WildlandUrban Interface Code

Communities can develop regulations for safer construction and

incorporate mitigation considerations into the permitting process.

Potential actions include:

▪ Developing specific design guidelines and development review 

procedures for new construction, replacement, relocation, and 

substantial improvement in wildfire hazard areas.

▪ Addressing fire mitigation through access, signage, fire hydrants, 

water availability, vegetation management, and special building 

construction standards.

▪ Involving fire protection agencies in determining guidelines and 

standards and in development and site plan review procedures.

▪ Establishing wildfire mitigation planning requirements for large 

scale developments or planned unit developments. 

WF-5 Require or Encourage

Fire-Resistant Construction

Techniques

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA P-737, P-754

A local government can encourage fire-resistant construction or may

choose to require it through local regulations. Examples include:

▪ Encouraging the use of non-combustible materials (i.e., stone, 

brick, and stucco) for new construction in wildfire hazard areas.

▪ Using fire resistant roofing and building materials in remodels, 

upgrades, and new construction.

▪ Enclosing the foundations of homes and other buildings in 

wildfire-prone areas, rather than leaving them open and 

potentially exposing undersides to blown embers or 

other materials.

▪ Prohibiting wooden shingles/wood shake roofs on any new 

development in areas prone to wildfires.

▪ Encouraging the use of functional shutters on windows.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

WF-6 Retrofit At-Risk

Structures with

Ignition-Resistant Materials

Existing structures in wildfire hazard areas can be protected through

the use of non-combustible materials and technologies, including:

▪ Installing roof coverings, sheathing, flashing, skylights, roof and 

attic vents, eaves, and gutters that conform to ignition-resistant 

construction standards.

▪ Installing wall components that conform to ignition-resistant 

construction standards.

▪ Protecting propane tanks or other external fuel sources.

▪ Purchasing and installing external, structure-specific water 

hydration systems (sprinklers); dedicated power sources; and 

dedicated cisterns if no water source (e.g., lake, river, or swimming 

pool) is available.
72 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

WF-7 Create Defensible

Space Around Structures

and Infrastructure

Local governments can implement defensible space programs to

reduce risk to structures and infrastructure, including:

▪ Creating buffers around residential and non-residential structures 

through the removal or reduction of flammable vegetation, 

including vertical clearance of tree branches.

▪ Replacing flammable vegetation with less flammable species.

▪ Creating defensible zones around power lines, oil and gas lines, 

and other infrastructure systems.

WF-8 Conduct Maintenance to

Reduce Risk

Local governments can implement maintenance procedures to

reduce wildfire risk, including:

▪ Performing arson prevention cleanup activities in areas of 

abandoned or collapsed structures, accumulated trash or debris, 

and with a history of storing flammable materials where spills or 

dumping may have occurred.

▪ Preventing or alleviating wildfires by proper maintenance and 

separation of power lines as well as efficient response to fallen 

power lines.

▪ Routinely inspecting the functionality of fire hydrants.

▪ Requiring and maintaining safe access for fire apparatus to 

wildland-urban interface neighborhoods and properties.

Natural Systems Protection

WF-9 Implement a Fuels

Management Program

A fuels management program may be implemented to reduce

hazardous vegetative fuels on public lands, near essential

infrastructure, or on private lands by working with landowners. The

program can include the following:

▪ Performing maintenance including fuel management techniques 

such as pruning and clearing dead vegetation, selective logging, 

cutting high grass, planting fire-resistant vegetation, and creating 

fuel/fire breaks (i.e., areas where the spread of wildfires will be 

slowed or stopped by the removal of fuels).

▪ Using prescribed burning to reduce fuel loads that threaten public 

safety and property.

▪ Identifying and clearing fuel loads created by downed trees.

▪ Cutting firebreaks into public wooded areas in the 

wildland-urban interface.

▪ Sponsoring local “slash and clean-up days” to reduce fuel loads 

along the wildland-urban interface.

▪ Linking wildfire safety with environmental protection strategies (i.e., 

improving forest ecology, wildlife habitat, etc.).

▪ Developing a vegetation management plan.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects
73Wildfire

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

WF-10 Participate in

Firewise Program

The Firewise program provides a series of steps that individual

residents and their neighbors can take to keep their homes and

neighborhoods safer from fire. Consider actions such as:

▪ Joining the “Firewise Communities/USA” recognition program 

sponsored by the National Wildlife Coordinating Group 

(firewise.org). 

▪ Sponsoring Firewise workshops for local officials, developers, civic 

groups, and neighborhood/homeowners’ associations.

▪ Consulting Firewise guidance and encouraging or requiring best 

practices in your community.

WF-11 Increase Wildfire

Risk Awareness

Education and outreach programs can target citizens, businesses,

developers, landscapers, and insurers among others to increase

awareness of wildfire risk and strategies for protecting homes and

infrastructure. Consider actions such as:

▪ Offering GIS hazard mapping online for residents, developers, and 

design professionals.

▪ Organizing a local fire department tour to show local elected 

officials and planners the most vulnerable areas of the 

community’s wildland-urban interface and increase their 

understanding of risks.

▪ Working with insurance companies, utility providers, and others to 

include wildfire safety information in materials provided to 

area residents.

▪ Developing partnerships with neighborhood groups, homeowners’ 

associations, and others to conduct outreach activities.

▪ Using local fire departments to conduct education programs 

in schools. 

▪ Informing the public about proper evacuation procedures.

▪ Forming a citizen plan implementation steering committee to 

monitor progress of local mitigation actions. Include a mix of 

representatives from neighborhoods, local businesses, and 

local government.
74 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Outreach Programs

WF-12 Educate Property

Owners about Wildfire

Mitigation Techniques

Educate property owners on actions that they can take to reduce risk

to property, such as the following:

▪ Installing fire mitigation systems such as interior and exterior 

sprinkler systems.

▪ Performing safe disposal of yard and household waste rather than 

open burning.

▪ Removing dead or dry leaves, needles, twigs, and combustibles 

from roofs, decks, eaves, porches, and yards.

▪ Creating a defensible space or buffer zone cleared of combustible 

materials around property.

▪ Installing and maintaining smoke detectors and fire extinguishers 

on each floor of their homes or other buildings. 

▪ Safely using and storing necessary flammable materials, including 

machine fuels. Approved safety cans should be used for storing 

gasoline, oily rags, and other flammable materials. Firewood 

should be stacked at least 100 feet away and uphill from homes. 

▪ Keeping flammables, such as curtains, secured away from windows 

or using heavy fire-resistant drapes.

Other wildfire-related mitigation actions may also apply to other hazards. See the section entitled “Multiple Hazards” 

for other possible ideas.
 

Multiple

Hazards

The actions presented here are general actions that 

mitigate multiple hazards.
76 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

MU-1 Assess Community Risk

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 366, 543

Understanding community vulnerability and level of risk is

important to identify and prioritize mitigation alternatives. Improve

risk assessment through the following:

▪ Obtaining local data including tax parcels, building footprints, 

critical facility locations, and other information for use in 

risk analysis.

▪ Developing and maintaining a database to track community 

vulnerability (i.e., exposure in known hazard areas).

▪ Establishing a process to coordinate with state and Federal 

agencies to maintain up-to-date hazard data, maps, 

and assessments.

▪ Keeping aerial photography current, especially in rapidly 

developing areas.

▪ Identifying the most at-risk critical facilities and evaluating 

potential mitigation techniques.

MU-2 Map Community Risk Maps are an important tool for communicating risk. Consider the

following for developing GIS capabilities:

▪ Developing a coordinated GIS Department. Find out who uses GIS, 

determine how it is used, and identify other potential uses.

▪ Incorporating a GIS system/management plan for tracking 

permitting, land use patterns, etc.

▪ Obtaining hazard data and using GIS to map risk for various hazards.
77Multiple Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

MU-3 Prevent Development

in Hazard Areas

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 476

Limit or prohibit development in high-hazard areas through the

following types of actions:

▪ Encouraging clustering of residential lots outside of hazard areas in 

subdivision design/review.

▪ Prohibiting or limiting public expenditures for capital 

improvements in known hazard areas.

▪ Organizing a managed retreat from very high-risk areas.

▪ Purchasing the “right of first refusal” for hazard-prone parcels 

targeted for public acquisition.

▪ Purchasing land and title in the name of a local governing 

body to remove structures and enforce permanent restrictions 

on development.

▪ Acquiring and using easements (e.g., conservation) to prevent 

development in known hazard areas.

▪ Using conservation easements to protect environmentally 

significant portions of parcels from development.

▪ Acquiring hazardous areas for conservation or restoring as 

functional public parks.

▪ Acquiring safe sites for public facilities (e.g., schools, police/fire 

stations, etc.).

▪ Prohibiting new facilities for persons with special needs/mobility 

concerns in hazard areas.

▪ Prohibiting animal shelters in known hazard areas.

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

MU-4 Adopt Development

Regulations in Hazard Areas

Regulate development in hazard areas. Examples include:

▪ Using subdivision and development regulations to regulate 

development in hazard-prone areas.

▪ Evaluating the use of performance/impact zoning to set risk-based 

standards for land development.

▪ Requiring setbacks from delineated hazard areas (e.g., shorelines, 

wetlands, steep slopes, etc.).

▪ Requiring conditional/special use permits for the development of 

known hazard areas.

▪ Offering expanded development rights to developers/businesses 

for performing mitigation retrofits.

▪ Incorporating restrictive covenants on properties located in known 

hazard areas.

▪ Designating high-risk zones as special assessment districts (to fund 

necessary hazard mitigation projects).
78 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

MU-5 Limit Density in

Hazard Areas

Limit the density of development in the hazard areas through the

following techniques:

▪ Increasing minimum lot size for development in known 

hazard areas. 

▪ Designating “agricultural use districts” in the zoning ordinance to 

limit densities in known hazard areas.

▪ Ensuring the zoning ordinance encourages higher densities only 

outside of known hazards areas.

▪ Requiring clustering for planned unit developments (PUD) in the 

zoning ordinance to reduce densities in known hazard areas.

▪ Establishing a local transfer of development rights (TDR) program 

for risk in known hazard areas.

▪ Establishing a process to use floating zones to reduce densities in 

damaged areas following a disaster event.

MU-6 Integrate Mitigation

into Local Planning

Hazard mitigation can be integrated into local planning efforts

through the following:

▪ Incorporating risk assessment and hazard mitigation principles into 

comprehensive planning efforts.

▪ Incorporating a stand-alone element for hazard mitigation into the 

local comprehensive (land use) plan.

▪ Incorporating hazard mitigation into broader growth management 

(i.e., Smart Growth) initiatives.

▪ Incorporating a hazard risk assessment into the local development 

and subdivision review process.

▪ Adding hazard mitigation measures to existing adequate public 

facilities (APF) tests and programs.

▪ Ensuring natural hazards are considered in all land suitability 

analyses (LSA).

▪ Determining and enforcing acceptable land uses to alleviate the 

risk of damage by limiting exposure in such hazard areas. 

▪ Developing a post-disaster reconstruction plan to facilitate decision 

making following a hazard event. 

▪ Involving citizens in comprehensive planning activities that identify 

and mitigate hazards.
79Multiple Hazards

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Local Planning and Regulations

MU-7 Strengthen Land

Use Regulations

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 100, 268

Land use regulations can reduce hazard risk through the following:

▪ Using bonus/incentive zoning to encourage mitigation measures 

for private land development.

▪ Using conditional use zoning to require or exact mitigation 

measures for private land development.

▪ Establishing a process to use overlay zones to require mitigation 

techniques in high-hazard districts.

▪ Adopting a post-disaster recovery ordinance based on a plan to 

regulate repair activity, generally depending on property location.

▪ Adopting environmental review standards.

▪ Incorporating proper species selection, planting, and maintenance 

practices into landscape ordinances.

MU-8 Adopt and Enforce

Building Codes

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 421,P-762

Building codes and inspections help ensure buildings can adequately

withstand damage during hazard events. Effective actions include:

▪ Adopting the International Building Code (IBC) and International 

Residential Code (IRC).

▪ Increasing the local Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule 

(BCEGS) classification through higher building code standards and 

enforcement practices.

▪ Incorporating higher standards for hazard resistance in local 

application of the building code.

▪ Providing advanced training to local building inspectors.

▪ Considering orientation of new development during design (e.g., 

subdivisions, buildings, infrastructure, etc.)

▪ Requiring standard tie-downs of propane tanks.

▪ Requiring tie-downs for all manufactured housing.

▪ Establishing moratorium procedures to guide the suspension of 

post-disaster reconstruction permits.

▪ Revising fire codes to limit hotel room occupancy to ensure timely 

evacuation of high-use and multi-floor structures.

▪ Establishing “value-added” incentives for hazard-resistant 

construction practices beyond code requirements.

MU-9 Create Local Funding

Mechanisms for Hazard

Mitigation

Local funding resources can be developed through the

following measures:

▪ Establishing a local reserve fund for public mitigation measures.

▪ Using impact fees to help fund public hazard mitigation projects 

related to land development (i.e., increased runoff).

▪ Requiring a development impact tax on new construction to 

mitigate the impacts of that development.

▪ Recruiting local financial institutions to participate in “good 

neighbor” lending for private mitigation practices.

▪ Providing local match to Federal funds that can fund private 

mitigation practices.
80 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

MU-10 Incentivize

Hazard Mitigation

Incentives and disincentives can be used to promote hazard

mitigation through the following measures:

▪ Using special tax assessments to discourage builders from 

constructing in hazardous areas.

▪ Using insurance incentives and disincentives (i.e., incentives for 

best practices).

▪ Providing tax incentives for development of low-risk hazard parcels.

▪ Waiving permitting fees for home construction projects related 

to mitigation.

▪ Using tax abatements, public subsidies, and other incentives to 

encourage private mitigation practices.

▪ Reducing or deferring the tax burden for undeveloped hazard areas 

facing development pressure.

▪ Encouraging infill development through tax incentives, streamlined 

approval processes, etc.

MU-11 Monitor Mitigation

Plan Implementation

Monitoring the implementation of the local mitigation plan can

ensure that mitigation actions are being completed through:

▪ Forming a plan implementation steering committee to monitor 

progress on local mitigation actions. Include a mix of 

representatives from neighborhoods, local businesses, and local 

government.

▪ Preparing a plan implementation monitoring schedule and 

outlining roles for those responsible for monitoring (i.e., local 

departments, agencies, and committees).

▪ Preparing and submitting an annual plan implementation progress 

report to the local elected body.

Structure and Infrastructure Projects

MU-12 Protect Structures

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 577, P-798

Damage to structures can be prevented through the following actions:

▪ Acquiring or relocating structures located in hazard areas.

▪ Moving vulnerable structures to a less hazardous location.

▪ Relocating or retrofitting public buildings located in 

high-hazard areas.

▪ Relocating or retrofitting endangered public housing units in highhazard areas.

▪ Retrofitting fire and police stations to become hazard resistant.

▪ Identifying and strengthening facilities to function as 

public shelters.

Local Planning and Regulations
81Multiple Hazards

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

MU-13 Protect Infrastructure

and Critical Facilities

FEMA Resources/Publications 

FEMA 345, 476

Infrastructure and critical facilities can be protected from damage by

the following:

▪ Incorporating hazard mitigation principles into all aspects of 

public-funded building.

▪ Incorporating mitigation retrofits for public facilities into the annual 

capital improvements program.

▪ Engineering or retrofitting roads and bridges to withstand hazards.

▪ Relocating or undergrounding electrical infrastructure.

▪ Designing and building water tanks or wells for use in times of 

water outage.

▪ Installing quick-connect emergency generator hook-ups for 

critical facilities

Education and Awareness Programs

MU-14 Increase Hazard

Education and Risk Awareness

FEMA Resources/Publications 

EMI IS-22

Hazard education and awareness activities that address multiple

hazards include:

▪ Developing and implementing a multi-hazard public awareness 

program.

▪ Providing information on all types of hazards, preparedness and 

mitigation measures, and responses during hazard events.

▪ Establishing a “hazard awareness week” in coordination with the 

media to promote hazard awareness (seasonal).

▪ Establishing an interactive website for educating the public on 

hazard mitigation and preparedness measures.

▪ Annually hosting a public hazards workshop or exposition for all 

residents.

▪ Establishing hazard information centers.

▪ Creating a speakers bureau for disaster-related topics that focus on 

mitigation and preparedness measures.

▪ Enhancing hazard awareness of the private sector, particularly 

lenders, insurance agents, and realtors.

▪ Scheduling an annual “what’s new in mitigation” briefing for the 

local governing body (possibly with SHMO, etc.).

Structure and Infrastructure Projects
82 Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

Education and Awareness Programs

MU-15 Improve Household

Disaster Preparedness

FEMA Resources/Publications 

EMI IS-22

Educate the public on how to prepare for hazards and disasters,

including the following:

▪ Encouraging property owners to purchase hazard insurance not as 

an alternative to mitigation, but rather to add financial protection if 

damage does occur.

▪ Encouraging residents to prepare by stocking up the necessary 

items and planning for how family members should respond 

during a disaster. Publicized information about household 

preparedness can be found at www.ready.gov.

▪ Providing hazard vulnerability checklists for homeowners to 

conduct their own inspections.

▪ Promoting the purchase and use of NOAA weather radios 

by residents.

▪ Encouraging citizens to secure loose items (i.e., patio furniture).

▪ Participating in Nation Weather Service StormReady Program.

▪ Purchasing and installing NOAA weather radios in schools, 

government buildings, parks, etc.

▪ Storing digital or hard copies of public records in low-risk, 

offsite locations.

MU-16 Promote Private

Mitigation Efforts

FEMA Resources/Publications 

EMI IS-22

Encourage private mitigation efforts that address multiple hazards

through the following:

▪ Using outreach programs to: 1) advise homeowners of risks to life, 

health, and safety; 2) facilitate technical assistance programs that 

address measures that citizens can take; or 3) facilitate funding for 

mitigation measures.

▪ Establishing, maintaining, and publicizing a library section on 

hazard mitigation techniques for local residents.

▪ Identifying and recruiting civic groups and volunteer agencies for 

community mitigation projects.

▪ Establishing a network for a business-to-business mitigation 

mentoring program.

▪ Offering hazard susceptibility audits of local small businesses.

▪ Completing a “demonstration model” showing use of hazard 

mitigation techniques for public display.

▪ Establishing a technical assistance program for residents to access 

data or resources for mitigation purposes.

▪ Educating the public on tradeoffs associated with 

multi-hazard design.
 

 

FEMA

Resources/

Publications 
84

FEMA Resources/Publications

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

1. FEMA 20 FEMA Publications Catalog 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2894

2. FEMA 54 Elevated Residential Structures 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1670

3. FEMA P-55 Coastal Construction Manual: Principles and Practices of Planning, Siting, Designing, Constructing, and 

Maintaining Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas (4th ed.) 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1671

4. FEMA E-74 Reducing the Risks of Nonstructural Earthquake Damage: A Practical Guide. Fourth Edition

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4626

5. FEMA 83 Seismic Considerations for Communities at Risk 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1575

6. FEMA P-85 Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1577

7. FEMA 100 Unified National Program for Floodplain Management 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1626

8. FEMA 114 Design Manual for Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1414

9. FEMA 154 Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards: A Handbook. Second Edition 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3556

10. FEMA 155 Rapid Visual Screening of Buildings for Potential Seismic Hazards: Supporting Documentation. Second Edition

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3557

11. FEMA 182 Landslide Loss Reduction: A Guide for State and Local Government Planning 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1417

12. FEMA 202 Earthquake Resistant Construction of Electric Transmission and Telecommunication Facilities Serving the 

Federal Government 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1635

13. FEMA 209 Flood: Are You Protected From the Next Disaster 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1726

14. FEMA 213 Answers to Questions About Substantially Damaged Buildings 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1636

15. FEMA 221 Collocation Impacts on the Vulnerability of Lifelines during Earthquakes with Applications to the Cajon Pass, California: 

Study Overview

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1637

16. FEMA 224 Seismic Vulnerability and Impact of Disruption of Lifelines in the Conterminous United States 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1518

17. FEMA 225 Inventory of Lifelines in the Cajon Pass, California 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1746

18. FEMA 226 Collocation Impacts on the Vulnerability of Lifelines during Earthquakes with Applications to the Cajon Pass, California 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1748

19. FEMA 232 Homebuilders’ Guide to Earthquake-Resistant Design and Construction 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2103

20. FEMA 233 Earthquake Resistant Construction of Gas and Liquid Fuel Pipeline Systems Serving or Regulated by the 

Federal Government 

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1639
85FEMA Resources/Publications

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

FEMA Resources/Publications

21. FEMA 254 Seismic Retrofit Incentive Programs: A Handbook for Local Governments

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1523

22. FEMA P-259 Engineering Principles and Practices of Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures, Third Edition

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1645

23. FEMA 266 Creating a Seismic Safety Advisory Board: A Guide to Earthquake Risk Management

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1646

24. FEMA 268 Protecting Floodplain Resources - A Guidebook for Communities

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1419

25. FEMA 306 Evaluation of Earthquake Damaged Concrete and Masonry Wall Buildings: Basic Procedures Manual

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1651

26. FEMA 307 Evaluation of Earthquake Damaged Concrete and Masonry Wall Buildings: Technical Resources

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1652

27. FEMA 313 Promoting the Adoption and Enforcement of Seismic Building Codes: A Guidebook for State Earthquake and 

Mitigation Managers

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1421

28. FEMA 320 FEMA P-320 - Taking Shelter From the Storm: Construction Plans and Specifications

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=5788

29. FEMA 345 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Brochure-Desk Reference

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1472

30. FEMA 347 Above the Flood: Elevating your Flood-prone House

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1424

31. FEMA P-348 Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1750

32. FEMA 349 Action Plan for Performance Based Seismic Design

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1656

33. FEMA 356 Prestandard and Commentary for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1427

34. FEMA 361 Design and Construction Guidance for Community Safe Rooms

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1657

35. FEMA 366 HAZUS-MH Estimated Annualized Earthquake Losses for the United States

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3265

36. FEMA 389 Communicating with Owners and Managers of New Buildings on Earthquake Risk

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1431

37. FEMA 395 Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation of School Buildings (K-12) : Providing Protection to People and Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1980

38. FEMA 396 Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation of Hospital Buildings : Providing Protection to People and Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1981

39. FEMA 412 Installing Seismic Restraints for Mechanical Equipment

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1557

40. FEMA 413 Installing Seismic Restraints for Electrical Equipment

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1436

41. FEMA 414 Installing Seismic Restraints for Duct and Pipe

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1437
86

FEMA Resources/Publications

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

42. FEMA 416 Using GIS to Demonstrate Successful Floodplain Management

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1850

43. FEMA P-420 Engineering Guideline for Incremental Seismic Rehabilitation

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3792

44. FEMA 421 Planning for Post-Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1558

45. FEMA P-431 Tornado Protection: Selecting Refuge Area in Buildings, Second Edition

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1563

46. FEMA 453 Safe Rooms and Shelters - Protecting People Against Terrorist Attacks

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1910

47. FEMA 454 Designing for Earthquakes: A Manual for Architects

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2418

48. FEMA 467-1 Floodplain Management Bulletin on the Elevation Certificate

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1727

49. FEMA 473 Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Animals on Earthen Dams

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1441

50. FEMA 474 Promoting Seismic Safety: Guidance for Advocates

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1662

51. FEMA 476 Preparing for Disaster for People with Disabilities and other Special Needs

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1442

52. FEMA 480 National Flood Insurance Program, Floodplain Management Requirements, A Study Guide and Desk Reference for 

Local Officials, Federal Emergency Management Agency

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1443

53. FEMA P-499 Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2138

54. FEMA 526 Earthquake Safety Checklist

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1664

55. FEMA 527 Earthquake Safety Activities for Children and Teachers

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1665

56. FEMA 528 Earthquake Home Hazard Hunt Poster

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1666

57. FEMA 529 Drop, Cover and Hold Poster

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1667

58. FEMA 530 Earthquake Safety Guide for Homeowners

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1449

59. FEMA 543 Design Guide for Improving Critical Facility Safety from Flooding and High Winds: Providing Protection to 

People and Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2441

60. FEMA 547 Techniques for the Seismic Rehabilitation of Existing Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2393

61. FEMA 550 Recommended Residential Construction for Coastal Areas: Building on Strong and Safe Foundations

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1853
87FEMA Resources/Publications

Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

FEMA Resources/Publications

62. FEMA 577 Design Guide for Improving Hospital Safety in Earthquakes, Floods, and High Winds: Providing Protection to People 

and Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2739

63. FEMA 646-A Vertical Evacuation from Tsunamis: A Guide for Community Officials

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3808

64. FEMA P-646 Guidelines for Design of Structures for Vertical Evacuation from Tsunamis

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3463

65. FEMA P-737 Home Builder’s Guide to Construction in Wildfire Zones

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3646

66. FEMA P-749 Earthquake-Resistant Design Concepts: An Introduction to the NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New 

Buildings and Other Structures

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do;jsessionid=8BCBB8D4C6C901175A81648298D5380E.WorkerLibrary?fromSearch=fr

omsearch&id=4711

67. FEMA P-750 NEHRP Recommended Seismic Provisions for New Buildings and Other Structures. 2009 Edition

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do;jsessionid=8BCBB8D4C6C901175A81648298D5380E.WorkerLibrary?fromSearch=fr

omsearch&id=4103

68. FEMA P-754 Wildfire Hazard Mitigation Handbook for Public Facilities (P-754)

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3723

69. FEMA P-762 Local Officials Guide for Coastal Construction

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=3647

70. FEMA P-774 Unreinforced Masonry Buildings and Earthquakes: Developing Successful Risk Reduction Programs

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do;jsessionid=8BCBB8D4C6C901175A81648298D5380E.WorkerLibrary?fromSearch=fr

omsearch&id=4067

71. FEMA B-797 Hazard Mitigation Field Book - Roadways

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4271

72. FEMA P-798 Natural Hazards and Sustainability for Residential Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4347

73. FEMA P-804 Wind Retrofit Guide for Residential Buildings

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4569

74. FEMA P-811 QuakeSmart Toolkit

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4958

75. FEMA NFIP Technical Bulletins

http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-2/nfip-technical-bulletins

76. FEMA ROVER Rapid Observation of Vulnerability and Estimation Risk (ROVER) Tool

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4616

77. FIA-15A National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Coordinator’s Manual

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=1741

78. EMI IS-22 Are You Ready? An In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=2314

79. HMA EHP at-a-Glance Guide: Project Planning with Considerations for EHP Compliance

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=5904

80. Building Code Tool Kit (FEMA CD, available in December 2012)

http://www.fema.gov/earthquake
FEMA Contacts

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

500 C Street SW

Washington, DC 20472

General Operator: (202) 646-2500

Website: http://www.fema.gov/

FEMA Region I

99 High Street

6th Floor

Boston, MA 02110

Phone: (617) 223-9540

FEMA Region II

26 Federal Plaza

Suite 1337

New York, NY 10278

Phone: (212) 225-7209

FEMA Region III

615 Chestnut Street

Philadelphia, PA 19106

Phone: (215) 931-5608

FEMA Region IV

3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road

Atlanta, GA 30341

Phone: (770) 220-5200

FEMA Region V

536 South Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60605

Phone: (312) 408-5500

FEMA Region VI

Federal Regional Center

800 North Loop 288

Denton, TX 76209

Phone: (940) 898-5399

FEMA Region VII

2323 Grand Boulevard

Suite 900

Kansas City, MO 64108

Phone: (816) 283-7061

FEMA Region VIII

Building 710

Box 25267

Denver, CO 80225

Phone: (303) 235-4800

FEMA Region IX

1111 Broadway

Suite 1200

Oakland, CA 94607

Phone: (510) 627-7100

FEMA Region X

130 228th Street SW

Bothell, WA 98021

Phone: (425) 487-4600