Using A Planning Approach In Hazard Mitigation

Hazard mitigation is any action that reduces the effects of future disasters. It has being demonstrated time after time that hazard mitigation is most effective when based on inclusive, comprehensive, long-term plan that is developed before a disaster actually occurs. However, in the past, many communities have undertaken mitigation actions with good intentions but with little advance planning In some of these cases, decisions have been made "on the fly" in the wake of a disaster. In other cases, decisions may have been made in advance but without careful consideration of all options, effects, and/or contributing factors. The results have been mixed at best, leading to less than optimal use of limited resources.