Hazard Mitigation

What is Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation is any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from hazard events.  It is an on-going process that occurs before, during, and after disasters and serves to break the cycle of damage and repair in hazardous areas.  At a minimum, mitigation measures must be technically feasible, cost-effective and environmentally sound.  Current research shows that for every $1 spent on mitigation, an average of $6 is saved.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and corresponding regulation - 44 CFR Part 201, require that state, local, tribal and territorial governments have a FEMA-approved mitigation plan in place in order to be eligible for mitigation project funding. 

There are currently no open funding opportunities at this time. Please check back for updates. 

_{Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current Program}

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current is a mitigation grant program funded by FEMA and administered by the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES).  DHSES has the authority and responsibility for developing and maintaining the New York State Hazard Mitigation Plan, reviewing FMA Swift Current subapplicants, recommending technically feasible and cost-effective subapplications to FEMA and providing pass-thru funding for FEMA- approved and awarded project grants to eligible subapplicants. 

Overview

Swift Current aims to better align the delivery of FMA grant funding to the disaster survivor experience. The purpose of FMA Swift Current is to reduce or eliminate flood risk to NFIP-participating communities and repetitively flood damaged structures insured by the NFIP following a flood-related disaster event, and to enhance community flood resilience with NFIP-participating communities. The program does so by providing for mitigation opportunities immediately after a flood disaster with the aim of delivering mitigation outcomes as quickly as possible. This differs from the existing FMA grant opportunity, which operates on an annual grant cycle and funds a broader range of flood mitigation activities through a nationally competitive selection process. 

FMA Swift Current aims to streamline funding following a federal disaster declaration using flood insurance claims-based eligibility criteria, shorter application periods, and narrowing project type eligibility to only include Individual Flood Mitigation Projects involving properties that are Severe Repetitive Loss, Repetitive Loss and Substantially Damaged. 

Webinar Information

DHSES hosted and recorded a webinar on Swift Current. Please see the links below to access the recorded webinar and slides.

Swift Webinar (updated link) 

Swift Current Slides FY24

If you have any questions regarding the FMA Swift Current Program, you may submit them to: [email protected]. 

Resources

Swift Current Flyer

FEMA 2024 Swift Current NOFO

FEMA GO Startup Guide YouTube Video

FEMA GO Application & Subapplication User Guide

Benefit Cost Analysis Toolkit

Substantial Damage Quick Guide

Substantial Damage Estimator Tool

Environmental Historic Preservation Guidance

HMA Project Type Definitions

Acquisition Technical Review Job Aid

EHP Acquisition Demolition Job Aid

Elevation Technical Review Job Aid

Elevation Job Aid Supplement

Dry Floodproofing Technical Job Aid

Retrofitting Guidance

_{New York State Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund}

Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Revolving Loan Fund

Background

The Federal Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation (STORM) Act authorizes FEMA to provide capitalization grants to states, who may award low interest loans directly to local governments. 

STORM Act funds support New York’s Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund (HM RLF).

HM RLF Program Objectives: 

1. Non-federal cost share for existing hazard mitigation projects.
2. Mitigation projects that address the following:

   1. Localized flood risk reduction

      -Severe Repetitive Los (SRL) properties

      -Repetitive Loss (RL) properties

   2. Soil stabilization
   3. Infrastructure Retrofit
   4. Generators
3. Projects not eligible under other HMA grants due to not passing a benefit cost analysis.

Eligibility

• Only local governments are eligible to apply.
• Loan applicants must have a current local multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan in place.
• Proposed projects must be allowable under FEMA Hazard Mitigation Guidance.
• Loan recipients must establish a dedicated source of revenue to support loan repayment.

Loan Details

Loans will be made at an interest rate of 1 percent or less and repayment will begin 1 year after project completion. 

Loans can be used toward non-federal cost share requirements for other HMA programs.

A Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) is not required for the HM RLF program.

Apply for a Loan

Loan applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed quarterly until funds are exhausted.

Loan applications will be prioritized by eligibility and alignment with HLM RLF priorities outlined in the Intended Use Plan.

Local governments interested in submitting a loan application should send a completed RLF interest form to [email protected].

Resources

RLF Interest Form

FEMA Notice of Funding Opportunity

Revolving Loan Fund Intended Use Plan

Benefit Cost Analysis Support

Each year, FEMA makes billions of mitigation dollars available through their annual recurring and Federally Declared Disaster mitigation grants.  To qualify for funding, all construction related activities must be determined cost effective through an approved FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) methodology.  This page focuses on how to download and utilize the approved FEMA BCA Toolkit v.6.0 to complete a BCA, which is required for the vast majority of construction related mitigation projects.

This page includes helpful webinars, tutorials, support materials, and links to the relevant FEMA BCA resources.  DHSES also encourages you to reach out to the BCA Technical Assistance team with any questions regarding how to get started, project eligibility, type of backup documentation required, or to have DHSES complete your initial BCA (procurement rules during open grant cycles apply).

As stated above, most projects will utilize the FEMA BCA Toolkit to complete their BCA, however, certain projects employ Precalculated Benefits.  Projects that have precalculated benefits include the buyout or elevation of flood prone or damaged homes, generators for hospital-type facilities, and 5% Initiative projects. To find out more information on these types of BCAs, please contact the DHSES BCA Technical Assistance Team. 

Request BCA Technical Assistance or Ask Mitigation Questions:

[email protected]

BCA Tutorials

BCA Tutorial – How to Access the BCA Toolkit

BCA Tutorial – Generator BCA Walkthrough

Webinars
DHSES previously recorded webinars regarding the benefit cost analysis (BCA) process. Please see the links below to access the recorded webinars and associated slides.

Benefit Cost Analysis Webinar 2025 

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (1)

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (2)

BCA Webinar Spring 2022 (3)

Webinar Slides

Benefit Cost Analysis Webinar Slides 2025

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (1)

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (2)

BCA Webinar Slides Spring 2022 (3)

BCA Technical and Scientific Resources

BCA Technical Tools Links (pdf)

FEMA Resources Links

FEMA BCA Website: https://www.fema.gov/grants/tools/benefit-cost-analysis

BCA Reference Library: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/resources

How to Perform a Streamlined BCA: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/streamlined-bca

How to Perform a Full BCA: https://www.fema.gov/grants/guidance-tools/benefit-cost-analysis/full-bca

Download the BCA Toolkit: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/fema-bca-toolkit-60-installation-instructions

Information for Subapplicants/UEI Number

The federal government has transitioned from the Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number. The UEI is now the only acceptable identifier for doing business with the federal government. All subapplicants applying for FEMA Mitigation Programs must obtain a UEI in order for NYS DHSES to transfer your grant funds to you. Directions for obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier or UEI can be found at SAM.gov. 

Please note:  If you do not currently have a UEI number, you should start the process of obtaining one immediately to ensure you are in possession of a UEI at the time of application. DHSES expects to announce these programs in August/September.

Hazard Mitigation Planning

Hazard mitigation planning begins with state, tribal and local governments identifying natural disaster risks and vulnerabilities that are common in their area, and understanding the built, natural, and social environments that must be protected. From there, capabilities are assessed and strategies developed to reduce this risk long-term, and protect people and property for damaging weather events and disasters. Hazard Mitigation Plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction.

The State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) documents statewide efforts to reduce risk to natural hazards, and provides local communities with critical information and guidance regarding the hazard risk, capabilities, priorities and risk reduction strategies in development of local hazard mitigation plans. To mitigate climate change-affected hazards both now and in the future, local planners must be aware of localized climate projections, the varied impacts that climate change can have, especially on vulnerable populations, and the policies, programs, tools, and funding sources available to reduce their harm. Climate change is presented and incorporated throughout this plan, following best practices from NY state agencies, authoritative scientific institutions, academia, FEMA, and other states leading the fight against climate change. New York’s State Hazard Mitigation Plan (SHMP) strives to highlight and follow the example of New York’s nation-leading efforts to fight climate change, adapt to its impacts, and center equity and environmental justice.

In order for a State to be eligible to receive certain non-emergency disaster assistance, including FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, Public Assistance funds (non-emergency permanent work), Fire Management Assistance Grants, and Rehabilitation of High-Hazard Potential Dam grants, a current FEMA approved SHMP is required.  FEMA requires SHMPs to be updated every five (5) years.  The NYS Hazard Mitigation Plan was last updated and approved by FEMA on December 14, 2023.  In 2018, New York State was the first in the nation to develop a web-based State Hazard Mitigation Plan, called MitigateNY.

MitigateNY is New York State’s hazard mitigation planning platform, and home for the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan.

As part of MitigateNY, counties also have access to a local hazard mitigation planning platform with unique data presented for each. Learn more about this initiative and the opportunities now and to come for local planning here.

While hazardous events cannot be prevented, Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMPs) have proven to be an effective tool to reduce losses and enhance community resilience.  LHMPs are documents that aim to identify mitigation actions to be undertaken to increase community preparedness and resiliency, and decrease vulnerability in the event of a hazard.  A FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan is required for communities (subapplicants) interested in receiving FEMA’s grant funding for eligible mitigation projects.

As outlined in the all-hazard mitigation guidelines in 44 CFR Part 201.6, LHMPs can be prepared either by a single jurisdiction (e.g., a village, town or city) or by multiple jurisdictions working together.  LHMPs only become active after they are approved by FEMA and adopted by the jurisdiction (for multi-jurisdictional plans, adoption by one participant activates the FEMA approved plan).  Local plans must be reviewed, updated, and resubmitted for approval every five years.  Funding opportunities to update multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plans are available under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs.

For more information: FEMA Planning Requirements for HMA Grants

Please Note:  NYS DHSES developed additional hazard mitigation planning standards (see Hazard Mitigation Planning Resources below) to augment those required by FEMA. After October 15, 2012, these will be "required actions" for any hazard mitigation plan developed with funds administered by NYS DHSES and will be part of all contracts executed with grant recipients.  All grantees are strongly encouraged to include this information in their "Request for Proposals" and to provide it to their consultants before planning begins in earnest.