Strategic hazard mitigation planning

Abstract

A multitude of studies have emerged in recent years that examined the quality of hazard mitigation plans. This study adds to the existing body of research by examining the quality of mitigation strategies, associated mitigation actions, and adherence to strategic planning principles. The study reviewed 64 local Louisiana hazard mitigation plans producing a dataset of 7729 proposed mitigation actions. Mitigation actions were assigned one or more FEMA project codes as well as one of six government powers. Comparative statistics revealed that coastal and inland parishes do not propose distinctly different mitigation plans despite differences in local risk and vulnerability profiles. While plans contained highly similar types of proposed mitigation actions, the majority of proposed mitigation actions consisted of building and infrastructure projects. Furthermore, hazard mitigation plans were largely aspirational in nature and lacked a true strategic roadmap for future risk reduction.