Hazard Mitigation
Alameda County, on behalf of Unincorporated Alameda County, launched an effort to re-assess risks posed by natural and human-caused disasters and identify ways to reduce those risks.
The planning process resulted in the preparation of an updated 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP). The purpose of this plan, a requirement of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is to identify the natural hazards in our area, determine how they will impact our community, and develop strategies to lessen the effect of those hazards and create a more disaster resilient Alameda County. The plan includes a discussion of Climate Change Adaptation and will also maximize the Community Rating System (CRS) credit for County residents under the auspices of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Hazard Mitigation Planning Process
The planning process and opportunities for public involvement occurred from September 2021 – February 2022, and on behalf of the County of Alameda, we thank you for your participation.
Community Hazard Awareness Survey
This survey gathered public input on the hazards most relevant to the community. The hazard survey was available electronically on this website from September 23, 2021 – February 11, 2022.
Plan Update Oversight
Throughout the planning process, draft sections of the plan were available for review and comment.
A draft Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) was developed incorporating the initial input from the public. The draft plan was available via this website for a public review period from September 23, 2021 – February 11, 2022. Upon completion of the public review period, the plan was updated and finalized for submittal to the County Board of Supervisors.
LHMP State/Federal Approval
The 2021 LHMP was adopted by the County Board of Supervisors on March 1, 2022 and approved by FEMA on March 10, 2022. The LHMP makes the County eligible to apply for grant funding to reduce vulnerability to disasters within the community and help break the disaster cycle to ensure a sustainable future for our community. Maintaining an up-to-date LHMP is a federal requirement in order for the County to be eligible for certain mitigation grant funding opportunities.
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Archives
2010 LHMP
2016 LHMP
County of Alameda 2016 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan – Archive Item
2021 LHMP
County of Alameda 2021 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan – Archive Item
History and Background
Over the past two decades, local hazard mitigation planning has been driven by a federal law, known as the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 – Archive Item. On October 30, 2000, Congress passed the DMA 2000 (Public Law 106-390), which amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 (Title 42 of the United States Code Section 5121 et seq.) by repealing the act’s previous mitigation planning section (409) and replacing it with a new mitigation planning section (322). This new section emphasized the need for state, tribal, and local entities to closely coordinate mitigation planning and implementation efforts. This new section also provided the legal basis for mitigation plan requirements for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance – Archive Item grant programs.
Disasters in Alameda County
Alameda County is vulnerable to a wide range of hazards. Since the adoption of the 2016 LHMP, Alameda County has experienced the following disasters:
- 2021: State of Emergency for drought and winter storms
- 2020: State of Emergency for fires and extreme weather conditions
- 2020: Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for COVID-19 response
- 2019: State of Emergency for extreme wind and fire conditions
- 2017: Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for winter storms
As the County’s population grows, hazard risks increase. Combining mitigation planning for past risks with climate adaptation planning for future risks creates clear guidance and a unified strategy for community resilience.