Merrimack Valley Region Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2013-2018 Updating the Current 5-Yr Plan What Is Hazard Mitigation?
Merrimack Valley Region Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 2013-2018 Updating the Current 5-Yr Plan What is Hazard Mitigation? “mit-i-gate” 1. to make less severe or painful 2. to cause to become less harsh or hostile Hazard Mitigation Any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards and their effects. Why Prepare an Updated Plan? Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000: Congress enacted the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) on October 10, 2000. The law established a national program for pre-disaster mitigation, and streamlined the federal administration of disaster relief. DMA 2000 requires all communities to have a FEMA-approved “Multiple Hazards Mitigation Plan” to qualify for FEMA funding under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). What is a Natural Hazard? • An event or physical condition that has the potential to cause fatalities, injuries, property damage, agricultural loss, damage to the environment, interruption of business, or other types of harm or loss. • In the Merrimack Valley region, this includes: flooding, winter storms, severe thunderstorms, hurricanes (including coastal storm surges), tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfire, drought, etc. • The updated Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will also consider the impacts of climate change Merrimack Valley Natural Hazards Floods Coastal Storms Wildfire Natural hazards are a part of the world around us. Their occurrence is natural and inevitable, and our capacity to control their frequency, intensity, and duration is limited. Winter Storms Hurricanes Natural hazards threaten the safety of our residents and visitors, and have the potential to damage or destroy public and private property, disrupt the local and regional economy, and diminish the overall quality of life of those who live and work in the region.
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