HANDBOOK FOR DISASTER ASSISTANCE

VI. HAZARD MITIGATION PROGRAMS

Hazard Mitigation is defined as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their damaging effects. As the importance of mitigation has become more widely recognized, the number of mitigation programs has greatly expanded. The standard disaster recovery programs have integrated provisions for mitigation, and traditional non-disaster assistance programs have found that offering mitigation assistance in the aftermath of a disaster is consistent with overall program goals. The following discussion focuses on four major hazard mitigation programs. The first is a "pre-disaster" assistance program which is available annually; the remaining three are "post-disaster" assistance programs and normally available only after a major disaster.

A. Pre-Disaster Assistance

The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program

The National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (Sections 1366 and 1367) authorizes the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program, which provides annual funding to mitigate repetitively flooded structures insurable under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The FMA Program operates as a partnership between the Department of Community Affairs, Division of Emergency Management and participating communities which have a FEMA-approved Flood Mitigation Plan. Two types of grants are available to local governments: community planning grants and project grants to implement measures designed to reduce risks to NFIP-insurable structures. Project examples include:

  • elevation or flood-proofing of structures;
  • acquisition of real property and relocation or demolition of the structures; and
  • minor structural flood control projects and minor beach renourishment.

B. Post-Disaster Assistance

Public Law 100-707, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (the Stafford Act), authorizes both the Public Assistance Hazard Mitigation Program (Section 406) and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (Section 404).

1. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Section 404 of the Stafford Act authorizes the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which provides funding to state and local governments, private non-profit organizations and Native American tribes to implement intermediate and long term mitigation measures. FEMA provides 75 percent of the funding with the remaining 25 percent as a match, equally divided between the state and local government. The amount of federal funds available for the HMGP for each Presidential-declared disaster is equal to 15 percent of the combined federal expenditures associated with that disaster for the Individual Assistance Programs (disaster housing and the Individual & Family Grant Program) and the Public Assistance Program. HMGP is managed by the DEM. Following every major Federally declared disaster, state staff contact eligible applicants within all declared counties to schedule an applicant briefing. This briefing provides eligible applicants an overview of the program's goals, funding amounts, application process and deadlines. Staff reviews each submitted project to determine eligibility, cost-effectiveness and compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act. In addition, proposed mitigation measures must be consistent with the priorities set forth in the State Hazard Mitigation Plan (409 Plan), the HMGP Administrative Plan and in accordance with the planning requirements of the Stafford Act. The HMGP may be used to fund projects that protect either public or private property. Examples of the State of Florida's funding priorities are as follows:

  • structural hazard control or protection such as storm water control facilities;
  • retrofitting of critical facilities such as flood proofing or installation of hurricane shutters;
  • property acquisition, relocation and elevation to protect structures from future damage;
  • small scale drainage improvements to existing drainage facilities; and
  • other small scale flood protection measures to critical facilities.

 

2. The Public Assistance Hazard Mitigation Program

Section 406 of the Stafford Act refers to site specific hazard mitigation within the Public Assistance Program. To receive funding, the proposed mitigation site must have incurred damages from a Presidential-declared disaster. Mitigation measures for damaged sites are written into each Project Worksheet and forwarded to FEMA for approval. These projects are routinely associated with upgrades to damaged infrastructure (i.e., roads, bridges, drainage structures, and sewer and water lines). Up to 75 percent of the eligible project costs are reimbursed by FEMA with the remaining 25 percent divided equally between state and local government.

3. Community Development Block Grant Program

Often, following a major Presidential disaster declaration, supplemental funding is provided through the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Florida Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program administered by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Development. CDBG uses the supplemental funds to assist communities in recovering from the effects of disasters. More than 50 percent of the funds awarded to the local government must be used for projects that serve a low to moderate-income population. Eligible projects normally include such mitigation activities as:

  • voluntary acquisition, or if appropriate, elevation of storm damaged structures;
  • relocation payments for displaced people and businesses;
  • rehabilitation or reconstruction of residential and commercial buildings;
  • assistance to help people buy homes, including down payment assistance and interest rate subsidies; and
  • improvements to public sewer and water facilities.

 

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