Hazard mitigation is defined as sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards such as flooding, high winds, winter storms, and wildfires. Hazard mitigation planning is the process through which communities identify the risks they face and develop strategies to implement hazard mitigation measures.
Salem County has a current hazard mitigation plan (HMP) that was completed in 2017. As of February 1st of 2023, Salem County is in the process of updating their hazard mitigation plan. An update is needed at this time because:
- Hazard mitigation plans are required by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) to maintain eligibility for certain federal disaster funds and help communities substantially reduce the risk of injury, death, property loss, and economic disruption from natural disasters.
- DMA 2000 requires updates of hazard mitigation plans to incorporate changes in hazards, risk, capabilities, and mitigation strategies on a five-year cycle. Salem County and its municipalities completed an initial HMP as a joint effort approved by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management (NJOEM) and FEMA’s Region II (RII) in 2011. All municipalities also participated in the initial update approved for Salem County by NJOEM and FEMA RII in 2017.
- The expiration date for Salem County and its participating jurisdictions occurred on January 5, 2022.
The participation of all municipalities and concerned citizens will be important to the success of the hazard mitigation plan update. Hazard mitigation is most effective when local governments work with residents, property owners, and business interests to identify and understand risks and focus public and private resources on realistic solutions to problems. Increasing community partner’s knowledge about hazards, risk, and best practices for mitigation strategies through this planning process can reap long-term benefits.
This website will be updated on a regular basis over the coming months to indicate when municipalities will be meeting to discuss the update and to provide community access to the work-in-progress. For more information on this project, please visit the “Contact” page. For more information on hazard mitigation and planning, please visit the relevant links below.
Salem County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 