March 24, 2015

Statement on Impact to Alabama's Hazard Mitigation Plan by new FEMA Guidance

The purpose of the Alabama Hazard Mitigation Plan is to rationalize the process of identifying and

implementing appropriate hazard mitigation actions across the State. The document includes a detailed

characterization of natural hazards Statewide; a risk assessment that describes potential losses to physical assets,

people and operations; a set of goals, objectives, strategies and actions that will guide the State’s mitigation

activities; and a detailed plan for implementing and monitoring the required aspects of the Plan.

Alabama’s Plan was last updated in October 2013 and was approved by FEMA. Under new requirements, it is

submitted for approval ever five years and reviewed annually. Some of the requirements of the FEMA State

Mitigation Plan Review Guide Released March 2015, effective March 2016 require state plans to address

climate change. The Alabama Plan as updated in October 2013 describes the process to identify, assess and

prioritize Alabama’s hazards, risks and threats. The Plan does address how changes to areas such as population,

land use and yes climate could impact priorities, strategies, and goals for the reduction of hazards to the state.

At this time, there are no known requirements that would prohibit Alabama’s Plan from being approved by

FEMA, under the new guidance.