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Abstract

Mitigation planning is the process state and local governments use to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural hazards and to develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from the effects of future hazard events. The mitigation planning process involves identifying and profiling natural hazards that will most likely occur, as well as assessing the vulnerability of people, critical facilities and structures. The plan identifies the states mitigation strategy, which helps guide local mitigation planning and project efforts.

According to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2K), states must have an all hazards mitigation plan approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to remain eligible for federal mitigation and public assistance funds associated with a presidential disaster declaration.

The State of Ohio Standard Hazard Mitigation Plan was first approved by FEMA in 2005. The 2014 plan revision details Ohio’s highest priority hazards: river/stream flooding; tornadoes; winter storms; landslides; dam/levee failure; wildfire; coastal flooding; earthquakes; coastal erosion, drought; severe summer storms; invasive species and land subsidence hazards. The 2014 Ohio mitigation plan also integrates the State Hazard Analysis, Resource and Planning Portal (SHARPP), a web-based system that captures and disseminates state and local hazard mitigation planning and project information.

Mitigation is one phase of the emergency management cycle that also includes: response, recovery, and preparedness. Mitigation activities can be undertaken both before and after a hazard event. Some common types of mitigation activities undertaken in Ohio include: the enforcement of zoning and floodplain regulations, the acquisition or elevation of flood-prone structures, and the construction of safe rooms to protect people during wind events.