Hazard Mitigation

What is Mitigation?

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. In order for mitigation to be effective we need to take action now—before the next disaster—to reduce human and financial consequences later (analyzing risk, reducing risk, and insuring against risk). It is important to know that disasters can happen at any time and any place and if we are not prepared, consequences can be fatal.

Effective mitigation requires that we all understand local risks, address the hard choices, and invest in long-term community well-being. Without mitigation actions, we jeopardize our safety, financial security and self-reliance.

• Disasters can happen at anytime and anyplace; their human and financial consequences are hard to predict.
• The number of disasters each year is increasing but only 50 percent of events trigger Federal assistance.
• FEMA's mitigation programs help reduce the impact of events—and our dependence on taxpayers and the Treasury for disaster relief.

FEMA's Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and implements a variety of programs authorized by Congress to reduce losses that may result from natural disasters. Effective mitigation efforts can break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. FEMA's mitigation and insurance efforts are organized into three primary activities that help states, tribes, territories and localities achieve the highest level of mitigation: Risk Analysis, Risk Reduction, and Risk Insurance. Through these activities and FEMA's day-to-day work across the country, communities are able to make better mitigation decisions before, during, and after disasters.

For further information regarding mitigation, please use the following links:

Somerset County All Hazards Mitigation Plan

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

FEMA Understanding the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program as an Individual

FEMA The National Flood Insurance Program

Questions?  Call 908-756-0080, ext. 239