OEM presents the 2009 New York City Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The preparation of the HMP demonstrates New York City’s commitment to reduce the public's and built environment's vulnerability to natural hazards. The HMP received FEMA approval and formal City adoption through a Mayoral Executive Order in March. New York City is now eligible to receive federal mitigation funding.
While a formal update of the HMP will take place by March 2014, New York City continues to encourage public input on the HMP. Therefore, you may submit comments for consideration in the next update of the plan. Please submit all questions and comments through the comment form.
The 2009 New York City Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Cover Page and Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Planning Process
Section 3: Natural Hazard Risk Assessment
Introduction and Hazard Identification
New York City’s Hazard Environment
Population and Development Trends
Vulnerability Assessment Methodology
Coastal Erosion Hazard Analysis
Coastal Storm Hazard Analysis
Drought Hazard Analysis
Earthquakes Hazard Analysis
Extreme Temperatures Hazard Analysis
Flooding Hazard Analysis
Windstorms/Tornadoes Hazard Analysis
Winter Weather Hazard Analysis
Bibliography and Table of Contents
Section 4: Mitigation Strategy
Section 5: Plan Maintenance
Section 6: Plan Adoption
APPENDICES
Appendix A: Acronym List
Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C: Meeting Invitees
Appendix D: Planning Process Toolkit
Please see the links below for additional information on hazard mitigation and the plan. You may also submit questions in the comment form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is natural hazard mitigation?
What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
Why develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
Who developed New York City’s plan?
What are the hazards considered in this plan?
What is New York City doing to make it more resilient to natural hazards?
Is a Hazard Mitigation Plan required by law?
Where can I find additional information about hazard mitigation?
What is natural hazard mitigation?
Natural hazard mitigation is any cost-effective and sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life or property from natural hazards.
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What is a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
The Hazard Mitigation Plan contains geographic and demographic information, together with a citywide risk and vulnerability assessment to outline a mitigation strategy. The plan details goals, objectives, and specific tasks or actions to reduce risk.
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Why develop a Hazard Mitigation Plan?
- Protect New York City’s residents and built
environment;
- Create a city resilient to natural hazards;
- Break the Preparedness, Response, Recovery Cycle; and
- Fulfill the planning requirement under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to become eligible for hazard mitigation grant funding.
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Who developed New York City’s plan?
Many governmental and non-governmental representatives worked closely with OEM to develop the plan. Much of the content was provided by the Mitigation Planning Council, a group of over 30 agency stakeholders that have an interest in reducing the impact of natural hazards throughout New York City. OEM also spoke with people in the academic world, private corporations, and non-profit community to receive additional feedback about natural hazard mitigation in New York City. Further information about the planning process can be found in Section II of the plan.
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What are the hazards considered in this plan?
The following natural hazards are addressed in the plan:
- Coastal Erosion
- Coastal Storms
- Drought
- Earthquakes
- Extreme Temperatures
- Flooding
- Windstorms/Tornadoes
- Winter Storms
The process for selecting these hazards can be found in Section III.
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What is New York City doing to make it more resilient to natural hazards?
Part of the plan development process includes identifying what initiatives the City is taking or could take to reduce the affects of natural hazards. These initiatives are called “mitigation actions.” The Mitigation Planning Council members submitted 145 existing mitigation actions and 161 potential mitigation actions that are included in the draft 2008 New York City Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.
These actions address prevention, property protection, public education and awareness, natural resource protection, emergency services, and structural projects.
The comprehensive list of mitigation actions can be found in Section IV.
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Is a Hazard Mitigation Plan required by law?
Section 322 of the Stafford Act emphasizes the need for state and local governments to closely coordinate mitigation planning and implementation efforts.
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Where can I
find additional information about hazard mitigation?
New York State Emergency Management Office Mitigation Branch
Federal Emergency Management Agency Mitigation Directorate
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
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