Hazard Mitigation Planning

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 provided federal funding for the development of local and State hazard mitigation plans and projects. The goal of a mitigation plan is to identify policies and actions that can be implemented to reduce risk and future losses.

Local Hazard Mitigation Planning

In coordination with FEMA, RIEMA has developed a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Template, which is designed to complement FEMA’s Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool. The tool is used by State and Federal reviewers to determine if the hazard mitigation plan meets requirements outlined in the 44 Code of Federal Regulations §201.6. Additionally, RIEMA personnel are available to explain how utilizing the State template may expedite the plan update and review processes at any time during the planning process

State Hazard Mitigation Plan

The 2019 State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) update was approved on February 28, 2019, and will be in effect for five (5) years. The purpose of the Rhode Island SHMP is to provide comprehensive guidance for hazard mitigation statewide. The Plan serves the people of Rhode Island by providing the impetus for making homes, businesses, and communities more resilient to the impacts of climate change, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, earthquakes, winter storms, wildfires, and other natural hazards.

RIEMA, in conjunction with the State Interagency Hazard Mitigation Committee, continually coordinates with stakeholders to update the plan in order to increase Rhode Island’s resiliency to natural hazards and climate change. Meetings are held on a quarterly basis