The Hazard Mitigation Branch of AEMA administers the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. The mission of the HMA is to protect individuals and property from natural hazards, while simultaneously reducing reliance on Federal disaster funds. Mitigation is conceptually distinct from repair of damaged facilities. After disasters, many damaged facilities are simply repaired to the pre-disaster conditions. Such repair actions are not mitigation because they do not reduce the potential for future damages and losses.

Eligible applicants for the HMA include State and local governments, certain private-non-profits, and federally recognized Indian tribes. While private citizens cannot apply directly for the grant programs, they can benefit from the programs if they are included in an application sponsored by an eligible applicant. The primary function of AEMA Mitigation staff is to provide technical assistance and support for the applicants throughout the mitigation process, so that all communities can become more resilient in the face of natural disasters affecting their citizens.

Another core mitigation component is mitigation planning. Hazard mitigation planning is the process State, local and tribal governments use to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters, and to develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property in future hazard events. The planning process results in a mitigation plan that offers a strategy for breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. All counties in Alabama have FEMA-approved, multi-jurisdictional mitigation plans, which makes all of the entities that participated in the planning process eligible for the grant programs. The State of Alabama also has a FEMA-approved mitigation plan, prepared with the assistance of state agencies named in Executive Order 19. All of these plans are located on this web-site.

Examples of common mitigation projects include, but are not limited to:

• Acquiring flood-prone structures to remove them from the floodplain
• Elevating flood-prone structures
• Improving storm water drainage systems
• Adding hurricane shutters to improve building wind resistance
• Strengthening buildings or infrastructure to resist earthquakes
• Construction/Installation of community or individual safe rooms that meet requirements in FEMA 320/361
• Bracing building contents to resist earthquakes
• Mitigation planning activities

Any persons interested in being included in an application for any of the above programs should contact their appropriate local government. For additional information on the programs, please call (205) 280-2200.