Just this week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released its Hazard Mitigation Assistance 2017 Wrap-up. And, the numbers were astounding! Half a billion dollars in pre- and post-disaster hazard mitigation assistance grants was delivered to states, tribes and communities in 2017, resulting in mitigation actions that will reduce risk.

FEMA provided these funds through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which comprises three hazard mitigation grant programs: 1) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, 2) Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, and 3) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Here’s the official word on how these precious dollars were allocated:

  • Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, 10%, or $63.5M
  • Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program, 31%, or $192.2M
  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, 59%, or $370M

Imagine all that your state, tribe or community could do to mitigate against certain risks by tapping into funds like these in the year(s) ahead! These much-needed dollars could help you to shore up levees, build saferooms, elevate (or demolish) certain properties, and