Detailing California’s historical and current hazards and identifying strategies and actions to address those hazards, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) announces the release of the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan is updated every five years, so the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan replaces the 2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan.
An active State Hazard Mitigation Plan allows California to be eligible to receive federal grant and disaster funding to help Californians recover from disasters, including:
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
- HMGP Post Fire (HMGP-PF)
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Grants
- Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program
- Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) Program
- Public Assistance (PA), Permanent Work Categories (Categories C-G)
- Rehabilitation of High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) Grant Program
- Pre-Disaster Mitigation Congressionally Directed Spending (LPDM)
Because California has a State Hazard Mitigation Plan, the state is qualified to receive more categories of federal funding. Since 2019, California has been allocated more than $2 billion for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs.
California is also one of only 14 states in the country with an “Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan.” California earned the Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan status by demonstrating a commitment to long-term risk reduction through ongoing and coordinated efforts to protect life, property and the environment, and creating more resilient communities. With an Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan, California is also eligible to receive a higher percentage of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from the federal government.
Here are a few highlights of the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan:
- A strong emphasis on equity, ensuring the analysis of hazard impacts includes equity priority communities across all hazards
- All hazard profiles include a discussion of the potential impacts of climate change on hazard risk.
- Hazards are organized according to a new impact rating score, rather than by hazard type. The impact rating score uses a variety of factors to determine each hazard’s probability of occurrence, impact on California’s communities and overall level of risk.
- Clear organization and plain language to promote accessibility and readability for agency stakeholders, local jurisdictions and the public.
The 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan was developed in close collaboration with various stakeholders, including federal, state, tribal, local and non-governmental partners. The plan was guided by a robust public comment period earlier this year, taking into account priorities from a variety of stakeholders and over 1,000 unique comments.
The full 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan is available on the Cal OES Hazard Mitigation Planning webpage.