Hazard mitigation planning is the first of the four phases of emergency management, followed by preparedness, response, and recovery. In March 2009, OEM released New York City’s first FEMA-approved Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), a guideline for protecting New York City from the effects of natural hazards. The HMP also made City agencies and select nonprofit organizations eligible to receive certain federal mitigation funding. The HMP was developed with the assistance of 39 governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders.

The plan contains the following:

• Geographic and demographic information about New York City
• Profiles of the following natural hazards: Coastal erosion, coastal storms, drought, earthquakes, extreme temperatures, flooding, windstorms/tornadoes, and winter storms
• Specific actions the City is taking or could take to protect people and property from the effects of natural hazards

Download the 2009 New York City Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan:

Cover Page and Table of Contents
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Planning Process
Section 3: Natural Hazard Risk Assessment

• Introduction and Hazard Identification
• New York City’s Hazard Environment
• Population and Development Trends
• Vulnerability Assessment Methodology
• Coastal Erosion Hazard Analysis
• Coastal Storm Hazard Analysis
• Drought Hazard Analysis
• Earthquakes Hazard Analysis
• Extreme Temperatures Hazard Analysis
• Flooding Hazard Analysis
• Windstorms/Tornadoes Hazard Analysis
• Winter Weather Hazard Analysis
• Bibliography and Table of Contents

Section 4: Mitigation Strategy
Section 5: Plan Maintenance
Section 6: Plan Adoption

APPENDICES
Appendix A: Acronym List
Appendix B: Glossary
Appendix C: Meeting Invitees
Appendix D: Planning Process Toolkit

For more information about hazard mitigation planning, below are additional resources:

• Federal Emergency Management Agency Mitigation Planning 
• New York State Office of Emergency Management Mitigation