Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan 2017 Open for Public Comment

This plan addresses hazards and risks facing Northern Virginia jurisdictions, including the City of Alexandria, as well as planned hazard mitigation actions. It is hoped that this plan will be a useful tool for all community stakeholders.

Page updated on Sep 21, 2016 at 3:00 PM

Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
 
The Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from 21 jurisdictions, is in the process of updating the plan and having it approved by February 2017 to comply with the five year update cycle required by FEMA.
 
The 2017 Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan is now available for public review and comment.  Please email any comments to oem-hazardmitigation@fairfaxcounty.gov. Please submit comments no later than Monday, October 3, 2016.
 
What is Hazard Mitigation planning?
 
Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters.  It is commonly defined as sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects.  Hazard Mitigation focuses attention and resources on community policies and actions that will produce successive benefits over time. 

  • Developing hazard mitigation plans enables local governments to:
  • Increase education and awareness around hazards, and vulnerabilities;
  • Build partnerships for risk reduction;
  • Identify long-term, broadly-supported strategies for risk reduction;
  • Align risk reduction with other state, tribal, or community objectives;
  • Identify implementation approaches that focus resources on the greatest risks and vulnerabilities; and
  • Communicate priorities to potential sources of funding.


Moreover, a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan is a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects. Ultimately, hazard mitigation planning enables action to reduce loss of life and property, lessening the impact of disasters.
The City of Alexandria is covered under the Northern Virginia Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The current plan has served as a guide for mitigation activities.
 


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