Hazard Mitigation Policy Aid

September 2023 1 

Drought Mitigation 

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs provide funding for eligible

hazard mitigation activities that reduce or eliminate potential disaster losses to state, local, 

tribal and territorial governments. Fostering resilience against the effects of natural 

hazards, including slow onset hazards such as drought, is a top priority for the agency. This 

policy aid provides important information on applying for funding for planning related and 

drought mitigation activities, including additional resources, such as links to partner 

websites. 

How to Apply for Funding: HMA Grant Programs

FEMA administers HMA grant programs that provide funding for hazard mitigation projects, capability- and capacitybuilding, technical assistance, and planning and planning-related activities. HMA grant programs that may provide 

opportunities for funding and assistance to increase drought preparedness and mitigate drought impacts include: 

 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post Fire (HMGP Post Fire)

 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC)

 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

 Safeguarding Tomorrow Revolving Loan Fund (Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF)

To apply for assistance under FEMA’s HMA grant programs, states, federally recognized tribes, and territories

(referred to as applicants) submit applications according to each grant programs’ policy and guidance. For more 

information about these requirements, please see the HMA Program and Policy Guide. 

To apply for assistance under HMA grant programs, applicants must have a FEMA-approved state, territorial or tribal 

hazard mitigation plan that has been adopted by the jurisdiction. Applicants facilitate the development of 

subapplications from subapplicants such as state agencies, local governments, federally recognized tribal 

governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations. In general, applicants apply on behalf of subapplicants for 

hazard mitigation assistance under all HMA programs. When assistance is awarded, the applicant then becomes the 

recipient and a pass-through entity. For more information about applicants and subapplicants, please see the HMA 

Program and Policy Guide. Local communities can contact their respective hazard mitigation officers for more 

information. 
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Start with a Plan: Planning and Planning Related Activities

Hazard mitigation planning reduces loss of life and property by minimizing the impact of disasters, including slow

onset hazards like drought. All funded hazard mitigation planning activities must result in a new or updated FEMAapproved hazard mitigation plan. Applicants and subapplicants can consider applying for FEMA funding to update

their tribal, state or local hazard mitigation plan to address drought hazards. FEMA, through the BRIC program, also 

provides non-financial direct technical support to help communities get started with the hazard mitigation planning 

process and related projects. HMA encourages subapplications that explore innovative new ways to mitigate drought 

and benefit communities.

Drought-related planning activities that are potentially eligible for funding may include, but are not limited to, the 

following: 

 Updates to the risk and vulnerability assessments in the state or local hazard mitigation plan based on future 

conditions information, such as populations patterns, land use, community development, and changes in 

drought risk due to changing climate conditions.

 Adding or modifying hazard mitigation actions to address drought in the Mitigation Strategy section of the 

relevant Tribal, state, local or territorial hazard mitigation plan. These updates should be based on results from 

updated risk and vulnerability assessments.

 Community outreach and education for adapting to drought to prevent future injury and losses to homes, 

businesses, and infrastructure and to preserve historic and cultural resources.

All hazard mitigation planning activities must result in a new FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan or contribute 

additional information to a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan. Hazard mitigation is most effective when used in 

conjunction with other plans, processes, policies, and decisions. Here are a few potential funding opportunities for 

integrating other resources into a hazard mitigation plan:

 Integrated water resource or watershed management plans.

 Water shortage plans and/or demand-reduction measures or plans.

 Capital improvement plans that emphasize investment in efficient water systems.

 Climate adaptation plans, or resilience plans with adaptive management for integrated water resource 

management.

Meeting Cost-Effectiveness Requirements for Planning and Planning-Related Activities 

Applicants for most FEMA funding opportunities must show that the hazard mitigation measures’ benefits exceed 

the costs. However, hazard mitigation planning and planning-related activities are exempt from the requirement to 

demonstrate cost-effectiveness. Refer to the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program and Policy Guide Part 5 for a 

complete list of exemptions.
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Pick a Drought Mitigation Activity: Potential Eligible Projects

FEMA supports a wide variety of drought hazard mitigation projects to build resilience. Here are some of the 

categories that may qualify for HMA assistance: 

 Nature-based Solutions

 Early Warning Systems

 Stabilization 

 Floodplain and Stream Restoration

 Flood Diversion and Storage

 Aquifer recharge, storage and recovery

HMA encourages subapplications to explore innovative new ways to mitigate drought and benefit communities. 

Contact your state hazard mitigation officer if you have questions about a new idea or innovative approach.

MEETING COST-EFFECTIVENESS REQUIREMENTS FOR DROUGHT PROJECTS

Applicants applying for hazard mitigation assistance must show that the hazard mitigation measures’ benefits 

exceed the costs, with some exceptions. Applicants may use FEMA’s Benefit-Cost Analysis Toolkit to streamline their 

calculations. Alternatively, applicants may use a non-FEMA method for calculating the benefits and costs. However, 

FEMA must pre-approve the alternative method in writing. For more information regarding cost-effectiveness, please 

see HMA Program and Policy Guide Part 5. 

Land cover types, such as forests, beaches, streams, or urban green space, provide various combinations of 

benefits, often called ecosystem services. FEMA provides a standardized list of monetary values of different land 

cover types and the ecosystem services they provide. Many of the land cover types correspond to the eligible 

drought resilience and mitigation project types, such as nature-based solutions and floodplain and stream 

restoration.

Nature-based solutions

“Nature-based solutions” promote adaptation and resilience by working with nature. They can include sustainable 

planning, design, environmental management and engineering practices. Nature-based solutions can help reduce 

the loss of life and property, strengthening resilience against the nation’s most common natural hazards, including 

drought, extreme heat, and wildfire, while supporting economic development and improving the quality of life in 

communities. 

FEMA uses the term “nature-based solutions” to refer to an umbrella of strategies, including green infrastructure, 

bioengineering, or natural infrastructure. They can vary based on scale, location and type of hazard from small or 

localized projects, to larger community projects up to a watershed, landscape, or coastal area.

Nature-based solutions can be stand-alone hazard mitigation projects or be incorporated within traditional hazard 

mitigation projects (e.g., hybrid projects). They can rely entirely on natural features or processes or be combined with

engineering or gray infrastructure methods, like cement or metals. When carefully designed, nature-based solutions 

can address multiple challenges simultaneously. For example, a restored wetland may mitigate drought impacts by 
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enhancing aquifer recharge. But the restored wetland may also store carbon dioxide, mitigate an urban “heat 

island,” provide recreation and scenic amenities, and enhance biodiversity.

Communities are using nature-based solutions to mitigate drought impacts and extreme heat, while restoring and 

enhancing the natural functions of floodplains, stream channels and riparian ecosystems. Examples of nature-based 

solutions for drought mitigation may include projects like:

 Xeriscaping practices to reduce water demand

 Water-smart landscapes

 Stream and wetland restoration

 Underground water retention for infiltration or water recycling

 Water harvesting 

For more information on Nature-based Solutions please see the HMA Program and Policy Guide and Nature-Based 

Solutions | FEMA.gov. 

Early warning systems

Early warning and monitoring systems help governments and communities make proactive decisions to minimize 

socioeconomic, public health, ecosystem and physical impacts associated with drought. An early warning system 

combined with the slow onset of a drought can provide adequate lead time to local decision makers to mitigate 

drought threats, for example by arranging for emergency food supply or adaptive planning for water use.

Examples of early warning systems for drought may include, but are not limited to:

 Weather stations or rain gauges such as the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), 

a national citizen science network for measuring precipitation.

 Integrated information systems such as the Drought Early Warning System for the Public Health Sector. 

o It is important for applicants and sub-applicants to describe how the system will be used to reduce potential 

injury and damage from drought as well as other natural disaster (e.g., what actions will be associated with 

the warning). 

For more information on Warning Systems, please see the HMA Program and Policy Guide Part 12, B.12. 

Stabilization 

Prolonged droughts can harm crops, grasses, trees, and other vegetation that cover and stabilize soils. Without that 

vegetative cover, wind and water can erode and destabilize the soil and put structures and infrastructure at risk. 

Drought-induced soil erosion and ground instability can, for example, lead to shifting slopes supporting underground 
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infrastructure or can fill water bodies with sediment and reduce their storage capacity. FEMA can fund soil 

stabilization projects through the HMGP, HMGP Post Fire, BRIC, and FMA programs.

Stabilization refers to a project type that reduces or prevents slope failure or ground movement, of a relatively 

limited extent, which transports earthen debris downhill by sliding, rolling, falling or slumping. Slope failures can 

involve rock falls and/or debris flow (a mixture of soil, rocks and vegetation) that deposit material at the base of a 

slope or a slip‐out where a portion of a structure or infrastructure fails and falls to a descending slope. Slope failures 

can occur in either natural ground or human‐made fill, such as a highway embankment or canyon fill.

Proposed HMA stabilization projects must meet program eligibility requirements, including mitigation of potential 

structure or infrastructure damage.

Stabilization projects reduce risk to structures or infrastructure from erosion, ground movement and landslides and 

may include installing geosynthetics, surface and subsurface drainage, stabilizing sod, and vegetative buffer strips; 

preserving mature vegetation; decreasing slope angles; and stabilizing with green or gray ripraps and other means of 

slope anchoring. To be eligible for an HMA grant, these projects must not duplicate the activities of other federal 

agencies. 

For more information on Stabilization, please see Part 12, B.4. of the HMA Program and Policy Guide. 

Floodplain and stream restoration

Communities can use floodplain and stream restoration projects to reduce flood risk and erosion by providing stable 

reaches. Nature-based solutions for floodplain and stream restoration may also mitigate drought impacts and 

extreme heat, while restoring and enhancing the floodplain, stream channel and riparian ecosystem’s natural 

function. 

Floodplain and stream restoration can provide baseflow recharge, water supply augmentation, floodwater storage, 

terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities by restoring the site’s soil, hydrology and 

vegetation conditions that mimic predevelopment channel flow and floodplain connectivity.

Floodplain and stream restoration projects can be scaled as needed to fit the site conditions and goals of the 

project. Typical goals and objectives include: 

 Reduce peak velocities and stream bank erosion. 

 Reduce peak flood stages. 

 Protect bridge abutments, bridges, road crossings and other infrastructure. 

 Protect valuable land and property. 

 Increase or improve water supply and capacity. 

 Restore ecological habitats for plants and aquatic species such as fish and other wildlife. 
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 Restore or improve water quality. 

Potential projects that can emphasize the role of nature-based solutions to maximize the ecosystem service benefits 

in addition to risk reduction include: 

Floodplain setbacks: The stream can freely meander and flood its overbanks when structures are removed from the 

floodplain and the channel is restored to its historical configuration. This may include acquiring at-risk structures for 

removal and establishing levee setbacks. 

Multistage channels: Involves an upper channel section(s) to provide flood conveyance with a natural low‐flow 

channel(s) within it to provide habitat enhancement and improved sediment transport capacity. 

Relief channels: This technique typically involves restoring the channel to its original configuration and constructing 

a high‐flow channel or relief culvert to provide for additional flood conveyance. 

Addition of in‐stream structures: Flow-changing structures are a broad category of structures that can be used to 

divert flows away from eroding banks. The structures can shield banks from eroding flows, build up the toe of the 

bank, and direct flows to create a stable alignment. Nature-based solutions that can divert stream flow include 

rocks, logs, and other such materials.

Bank vegetation and seeding: Trees and shrubs can provide lowland habitat, channel shading, soil and bank 

stabilization, and aesthetic benefits. FEMA strongly encourages using native vegetation to support creation or 

restoration of habitat and to maintain natural ecosystem conditions.

Flood diversion and storage

These projects can be used to retain water to allow infiltration to groundwater supplies, allowing for a controlled way 

to mitigate flooding and enhance usable water supply while reducing the effects of drought. Flood diversion and 

storage projects can also help maintain healthy ecosystems. Flood diversion and storage projects can vary in size 

and complexity. Proper planning, siting, sizing and construction are required to implement successful flood diversion 

and storage systems. 

Many flood diversion and storage projects are currently eligible for HMA funding as flood risk reduction activities. 

The HMA Guide focuses on flood diversion and storage projects implemented using nature-based methods as much 

as possible to address drought mitigation in addition to reducing flood risk building resilience to multiple hazards. 

Nature-based solutions involve diverting the water into appropriately sized bioretention or bio-detention basins. 

Smaller projects can provide localized flood reduction by channeling the diverted water into a bioswale, rain garden, 

stormwater tree trench or smaller bioretention or bio-detention basin. 

For more information on Flood Diversion and Storage, please see the HMA Program and Policy Guide Part 12, B.5. 
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Aquifer recharge, storage, and recovery

Aquifer recharge, storage and recovery projects serve primarily as drought management tools, but they can also be 

used to reduce flood risk, mitigate saltwater intrusion and restore overdrafted aquifers. 

These projects include increasing surface water infiltration into an aquifer to be stored for a period until it is needed 

and then recovered for use. This can be done through direct well injection, infiltration pits and basins, or surface 

spreading. An aquifer resilience project entails:

 Capturing water when there is an abundant supply such as during a rainy season or during spring snowmelts;

 Storing the water in subsurface aquifers; and 

 Recovering the water when it is needed. 

Storing water underground can help protect it from pollutants, evaporation and weather events as well as maintain 

stream flow during periods of low flow. 

For more information on Aquifer Recharge, Storage and Recovery please see the HMA Program and Policy Guide

Part 12, B.13. For more information on an Aquifer Recharge, Storage and Recovery project example please see the

Hazard Mitigation Assistance Mitigation Action Portfolio (fema.gov).

Additional FEMA resources 

FEMA Ecosystems Service Value Updates (2022) provides guidance on an updated set of land cover categories and 

ecosystem service values for FEMA’s Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) Toolkit. Additionally, Benefit-Cost Analysis Tools for 

Drought, Ecosystem Services, and Post-Wildfire Mitigation for Hazard Mitigation Assistance (May 27, 2016), stated 

that the inclusion of ecosystem service benefits in the BCA was no longer limited to only acquisition or open-space 

mitigation activities. The clarification authorized the use of ecosystem service benefits for all hazard mitigation 

project types when the mitigation project was calculated to have a BCR of 0.75 or greater using traditional riskreduction benefits.

For additional drought resources, please see the 2023 HMA Program and Policy Guide, specifically Part 12, and the

FEMA Fact Sheet: Planning for Drought Resilience. 

Tribal Mitigation Planning Handbook, FEMA https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/fema-tribalplanning-handbook_05-2019.pdf 

FEMA Partner Resources 

These links connect communities to FEMA partner websites: 

The National Integrated Drought Information System and the U.S. Drought Portal are the federal hubs for drought 

data, science, and monitoring. http://www.drought.gov
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Drought and Infrastructure - A Planning Guide, National Drought Resilience Partnership (NDRP), 

https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Drought_and_Infrastructure_A_Planning_Guide_508c.pdf 

Drought Mitigation Planning in a Multi-Hazards Context, American Planning Association, 

https://www.planning.org/nationalcenters/hazards/droughtmitigation/ 

Drought Response and Recovery: A Basic Guide for Water Utilities, Environmental Protection Agency

https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2017-

10/documents/drought_guide_final_508compliant_october2017.pdf

State Drought Plans - University of Nebraska National Drought Mitigation Center,

https://drought.unl.edu/planning/DroughtPlans/StatePlans.aspx 

The U.S. Drought Monitor, http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/