Hazard Mitigation Plan

Local governments must develop and adopt an approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan as a prerequisite for receiving disaster mitigation assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs. The purpose of the plan is to develop and adopt pre-disaster mitigation measures to help minimize property damage and the risk to public health and safety that might result from the effects of natural disasters. Hazard Mitigation Plans must be updated every five years to continue to qualify for certain grant funds in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. The City of Sonoma's current Hazard Mitigation Plan was last updated and adopted by the City Council in November 2021.

FEMA defines hazard mitigation as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life, property, and the environment from natural disasters. Both FEMA and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) must review and approve Local Hazard Mitigation Plans and (CalOES) is responsible for soliciting and assisting in the preparation, review, and submittal of applications for Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program grants from local governments in California.

The Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, last updated in 2021 provides an analysis of local earthquake, severe weather, drought, wildfire, landslide, flood, geologic, climate change, and other related natural hazard risks and identifies strategies and action items to help mitigate many of the hazards.

The plan is split into two parts,

• Volume1 (Area-Wide Elements) and
• Volume 2 (Planning Partner Annexes)
• City of Sonoma Annex