Regional Hazard Mitigation Planning

The region is susceptible to a range of disasters, floods, hurricanes, chemical accidents or acts of terrorism. The need for adequate preparation is not a matter of if but when. While we cannot eliminate the threats of disasters, good planning can help minimize their impacts. H-GAC is committed to working with local governments to ensure that the region is as prepared as can be.

Background – Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan

H-GAC, the Texas Division of Emergency Management (DEM), and 85 local governments developed a regional hazard mitigation plan in 2006 and updated it in 2011. This comprehensive plan identifies regional hazards and vulnerabilities and includes over 300 mitigation projects that could be implemented within the region. This plan is important because the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 makes the development of a hazard mitigation plan a specific eligibility requirement for any local government applying for federal mitigation grant funding, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program.

Download the 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Specific mitigation projects are included in Appendix A. Types of projects include acquiring floodplain property, buying out flood-prone homes, and increasing culvert capacity. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan Update on October 11, 2012. The plan expires on October 11, 2017.

Current Status – County Hazard Mitigation Plans

H-GAC is working with local jurisdictions to complete County Hazard Mitigation Plans for seven counties within the region. While these plans are county-level, they will include similar projects as the regional-level plan. These projects may include acquiring floodplain property, buying out flood-prone homes, increasing culvert capacity, improving regional drainage, building tornado shelters, and implementing shoreline protection in cities and counties.

These seven county-level plans will replace the 2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan Updates for the participating counties. Once approved by FEMA and adopted by each jurisdiction, these plans will allow the participating counties to receive funding for federal mitigation grants, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program.

County Hazard Mitigation Plans

Austin County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

H-GAC, in partnership with Austin County, City of Bellville, City of Brazos Country, City of Iowa Colony, Town of San Felipe, and City of Wallis, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Austin County, Texas.

Austin County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Brazoria County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

H-GAC, in partnership with Brazoria County, City of Angleton, City of Brazoria, City of Clute, City of Iowa Colony, City of Lake Jackson, City of Liverpool, City of Quintana, City of Surfside Beach, City of Sweeny, and City of West Columbia, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Brazoria County, Texas.

Brazoria County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Chambers County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

H-GAC, in partnership with Chambers County, Chambers County, City of Anahuac, City of Mont Belvieu, City of Old River-Winfree, City of Beach City, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Chambers County, Texas.

Chambers County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Liberty County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

H-GAC, in partnership with Liberty County, City of Ames, City Cleveland, City of Daisetta, City of Dayton Lakes, City of Devers, City of Hardin, City of Kenefick, City of Liberty, City of North Cleveland, and City of Plum Grove, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Liberty County, Texas.

Liberty County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

H-GAC, in partnership with Montgomery County, City of Conroe, City of Cut and Shoot, City of Magnolia, City of Montgomery, City of Oak Ridge North, City of Panorama Village, City of Patton Village, Town of Roman Forest, City of Shenandoah, City of Splendora, City of Stagecoach, City of Willis, City of Woodbranch Village, The Woodlands Township, Town of Woodloch, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Montgomery County, Texas.

Montgomery County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Walker County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

H-GAC, in partnership with Walker County, City of Waverly, and City of Riverside, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Walker County, Texas.

Walker County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Waller County Hazard Mitigation Plan 1

In partnership with Waller County, City of Brookshire, City of Hempstead, City of Pattison, Town of Pine Island, City of Prairie View, City of Waller, is developing a Hazard Mitigation Plan for Waller County, Texas.

Waller County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Buy-Outs, Acquisitions, & Elevations Workshop

This workshop brought together professionals with extensive knowledge on voluntary buy-outs, acquisitions, and elevations in the region. Local practitioners and state agencies shared strategies and resources to develop a program for your community.