New York State Hazard Mitigation Plan

Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services
Posted on: 5/17/2019 - Updated on: 7/08/2022

Posted by

CAKE Team

Abstract

From the NY State Hazard Mitigation Planning Website

As the severity and frequency of natural disasters increase, so does the devastation and exorbitant cost of recovery left in their wake. In recent years, national focus has taken a dramatic shift towards mitigation – sustained actions that reduce the loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. New York State recognizes that the time to act is before disaster strikes.

Current research shows that for every $1 spent on mitigation, an average $6 is saved. However, since the largest amount of federal mitigation dollars becomes available following a declared disaster, resulting actions taken are inevitably reactive instead of proactive. In New York, we believe that the solution to this is to devote greater resources to mitigation planning – both at the state and local level.

To that end, the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) strategically partnered with a planning laboratory at the State University of New York’s Research Foundation. The Albany Visualization and Informatics Lab (AVAIL) specializes in data science visualization and analytics, an expertise that typically requires high cost consultant services at multiple stages of planning. How we learn and interact with information is constantly evolving. Static, narrative heavy planning documents no longer serve to efficiently inform decision making. The contents within Mitigate NY transition the model of planning to one that maintains up-to-date risk data that is digestible and accessible to all. This kind of partnership – one that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to research, data, and practice – can be sustained and enriched indefinitely. Engaging students, academics and practitioners simultaneously with locals, government representatives and policy-makers fosters a collaborative foundation for implementation of hazard mitigation.

We hope that our public and private stakeholders will consider the information contained here to incorporate disaster-resistant mitigation efforts into community development activities.

As this process evolves over the five-year life-cycle of the 2019 New York State Hazard Mitigation Plan, we look to you – readers, reviewers, decision makers – to offer knowledge, expertise and experience to more comprehensively assess and evaluate the impacts of natural hazards in our state, and to work collaboratively towards a more resilient New York.

To learn more about the intent, mission and vision of hazard mitigation planning in New York State click here.

Keywords

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Target Climate Changes and Impacts