Coastal Services Center

---

Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Steps Mitigation Opportunities Analysis

---

Extended Discussion | Interact with Data | Print Version

What is hazard mitigation?

Hazard mitigation includes any action or initiative that reduces the potential of adverse impacts from hazards to people, property, and man-made and natural resources. For more information about hazard mitigation, disaster preparation and prevention, visit FEMA's library.

Why would I do this analysis?

This analysis focuses on identifying hazard mitigation opportunities to decrease or alleviate vulnerabilities, which were discovered in the previous steps, for critical facilities, and societal, economic, and environmental factors. This analysis will help you to determine which hazard mitigation opportunities will have a significant effect on future hazard vulnerability. Since it is not practical to mitigate for every vulnerability due to limited resources (i.e., funding, time, personnel, equipment, etc.), this analysis will help you prioritize which people, property, and man-made and natural resources are most susceptible to direct and indirect impacts, in order to protect them.

Read the extended discussion for detailed information on mitigation opportunities.

Give me an example of something I might do in this analysis.

Existing Development

Using FEMA Q3 data or Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), you determine that 50 structures are located in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). Using local property tax assessment data, you then determine that ten of these structures are publicly owned (i.e., government buildings) and have a current National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy. Ten are commercially owned and have an NFIP policy. Thirty are residential homes. Twenty of the homes have NFIP policies, and ten homes do not have NFIP policies because they are not required after the mortgage has been paid off.

From the tax assessment records, you also find out that the total value of these 50 buildings that are located within the SFHA is $5.5 million. This does not include the contents value. Contents value is generally estimated at 50 percent of the value of residential structures. Contents value is often greater than 50 percent of the value of commercial structures, as they may house raw materials, inventory, computer networks, equipment, etc. In speaking with the local NFIP coordinator, you determine that half of these structures have been repetitively flooded, which resulted in $3 million of structural damage and content loss, as well as emotional hardship.

Below, are examples of ways to decrease vulnerability through the use of hazard mitigation measures for the scenario above:

Outreach

• Letting people know that although NFIP policies are not required for buildings that do not carry a mortgage, it will help offset costs if the structure is flooded
• Offering workshops to show people how to retrofit their homes
• Work with local businesses to retrofit their facilities

Hazard Mitigation Plan

Identify and prioritize projects for which state and federal assistance for hazard mitigation may be requested following a presidentially declared disaster.

• Relocation and/or retrofit
• Relocation — relocate structures outside of the SFHA
• Elevation — elevate structures and/or electrical equipment, air conditioners, using ample freeboard, above the base flood elevation (BFE)
• Dry floodproofing — completely seal the exterior walls of a structure to prevent entry of floodwaters
• Wet floodproofing — use methods and materials resistant to floodwater damage. This is generally recommended for garages, basements, and public restrooms
• Sewer back-flow valve — install to prevent raw sewage from entering a building and/or floodwaters

Learn more about hazard mitigation success stories in Florida.

Learn more about how to protect your property from FEMA.

Future Development

Using land cover data and land cover change over time (if available), local zoning records, and future development records (if available), identify undeveloped land located in high-risk areas. In your review of the data, you determine that 12 parcels are zoned for residential use. Using FEMA Q3 data or Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), you determine that two of these parcels are located in SFHAs.

This information can be used to take action to decrease the potential for future damage and loss through the following mechanisms:

Zoning

• Designate as open space — designate these areas for parks or recreational uses only
• Reduction of developable areas — increase the minimum lot size or reduce the number of dwellings per acre
• Bonus and incentive zoning — the practice of allowing developers to exceed limitations imposed by current regulations (i.e., building height, floor area or density) in return for specific concessions
• Agricultural zoning — allow land to be used only for agricultural purposes

Design

• Construction standards — use appropriate construction standards to withstand hazard impacts
• Building codes — ensure that appropriate building codes are implemented and enforced, so the structure is able to withstand hazard impacts

Stormwater Management

• Retention ponds — construct retention ponds or basins to catch and filter surface runoff
• Impervious surface limits — construct narrower roads, restrict land clearing, limit parking lot size and densely clustered development. Use porous materials (brick pavers, gravel) instead of non-porous materials (asphalt, cement) where possible

What are my steps?

1. Locate and gather data
2. Identify people, property, and resources that are vulnerable
3. Identify undeveloped land and existing zoning
4. Assess the status of your existing flood insurance program participation
5. Identify hazard mitigation measures

What data will I need?

• Hazards
• Land-use
• Tax Assessors
• Structural and/or Operational Assessments
• Others

Where can I obtain these data and information?

• Data and Information Resources
• Florida Division of Emergency Management GIS
• Florida Department of Environmental Protection GIS Data
• Brevard County Property Appraiser's Office Data
• Volusia County Government GIS
• Volusia County Parcel Data

Who do I need to work with? What agencies can help me locate the necessary data and information?

State and Local Emergency Management Officers, County/City Building and Planning Department (Codes and Standards), NFIP Coordinator, Community Rating System (CRS) Coordinator, County/City Public Works, Finance Department, Local Business Leaders, Coastal Zone Management Officers, Academia, others.

View a complete agencies and stakeholders list

Interact with the Data

Follow this link to view and interact with data pertaining to Mitigation Opportunities.

Return to top