Hazard Mitigation Planning

About the Hazard Mitigation Plan

The goal of Montgomery County's hazard mitigation plan (HMP) is to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards by identifying and implementing cost-effective mitigation actions. FEMA requires a hazard mitigation plan to be updated every five years. Montgomery County’s first HMP went into effect in 2007. Five-year updates to the plan were approved in 2012 and in March 2018. 

A draft update of the current plan for the next five-year cycle, which will begin in 2023, was compiled over the course of 2022 with information provided by municipalities, county departments, and state agencies. A multi-disciplined steering committee, comprised of county, municipal, and community representatives, advised the process.

Updating and adopting the HMP is essential because a current plan is required by state and federal agencies in order for communities in Montgomery County to be eligible for certain types of pre- and post-disaster mitigation funding.  

• Draft Plan Update
• Comment on the Draft Plan Update

Public Participation

Participation and feedback from the general public and other stakeholders (businesses, nonprofits, schools, etc.) is a vital part of the hazard mitigation planning process. Several public meetings took place to review significant sections of the draft plan as they were completed. Current and past opportunities for education and public input are listed below:

NEW!
Comment on the Plan

Now that the draft plan update is complete, Montco invites community leaders and the public to review and comment on the document before it is submitted to the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) to start the approval process. The draft plan update is available on this web page and at local libraries. Comments will be accepted through February 17, 2023 and can be submitted online or mailed to:

Drew Shaw, Environmental Planning Manager
Montgomery County Planning Commission
Courthouse, PO Box 311
Norristown, PA 19404-0311

November 17, 2022 Public Webinar

This public webinar provided a progress report on the hazard mitigation plan update and opportunities for public input on the mitigation strategy goals and actions.  Hazard Mitigation Plan Update - Goals and Actions - Public Webinar Presentation

April 25 and April 26 Public Webinar

This public webinar, offered on two dates, focused on the results of a risk assessment matrix completed by local emergency response personnel. Participants had an opportunity to submit comments. More Information

If you would like to get in touch with the project team, please contact Drew Shaw 610-278-3733 for more information.