2026-03-12 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Section 1 – Introduction 1.1 Hazard Mitigation Planning in Minnesota Hazard mitigation planning refers to any sustained action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to human life and property from natural disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has made reducing hazards one of its primary goals, and a primary mechanism in achieving this goal is both the hazard mitigation planning process and the subsequent implementation of resulting projects, measures, and policies (FEMA, 2023b). Since 1980, damages from natural disasters in the U.S. have exceeded $2.72 trillion. 2023 saw a record 28 separate billion-dollar weather and climate disaster events in the United States, breaking the previous record of 22 events set in 2020. Minnesota alone has experienced 59 separate billion- dollar disasters since 1980 (NCEI, 2024). Hazard mitigation planning is an effective process to prepare communities and lessen the impact of loss of life and property from future disasters. Although mitigation efforts will not eliminate all disasters, government at all levels should strive to be as prepared as possible for a disaster for the well-being of its residents. The Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is a requirement of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The development of a local government plan is required to maintain eligibility for federal hazard mitigation grant funding programs. To be eligible for future mitigation funds, communities must adopt an HMP. Researchers at the National Institute of Building Sciences looked at the results of 23 years of federally funded mitigation grants provided by FEMA, the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Their findings revealed that for every $1 spent on hazard mitigation funding in the nation, $6 is saved in future disaster costs (Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council, 2019). Anoka County is vulnerable to a variety of natural hazards that threaten the loss of life and property. Hazards such as tornadoes, flooding, wildfires, blizzards, straight-line winds, and droughts can potentially inflict vast economic loss and personal hardship. This planning document is accompanied by a website that allows for easy stakeholder and community engagement, as well as interactive maps, dashboards, and infographics. A broad overview of this companion website’s features is as follows: •Homepage (featuring Declared Disasters dashboard, feedback forms, links to Anoka County Emergency Management website, etc.) •County Profile •Risk Assessment & Natural Hazard Profiles •Goals & Implementation •Climate Change Anoka County HMP Website 10