Task 5 Requirements

Element B1

The risk assessment shall include a description of the type, location and extent of all natural hazards that can affect the jurisdiction. 44 CFR §201.6(c)(2)(i)

Element B2

The risk assessment shall include information on previous occurrences of hazard events and on the probability of future hazard events. 44 CFR §201.6(c)(2)(i)

Element B3

The risk assessment shall include an overall summary of each hazard and its impact on the community. 44 CFR §201.6(c)(2)(ii)

Element B4

All plans must address NFIP insured structures that have been repetitively damaged by floods. 44 CFR §201.6(c)(2)(ii)

Element D1

A local jurisdiction must review and revise its plan to reflect changes in development. 44 CFR §201.6(d)(3)

The planning team will conduct a risk assessment to determine the potential impacts of hazards to the people, economy, and built and natural environments of the community. The risk assessment provides the foundation for the rest of the mitigation planning process, which is focused on identifying and prioritizing actions to reduce risk to hazards. In addition, the risk assessment also can be used to establish emergency preparedness and response priorities, inform land use and comprehensive planning, and facilitate decision making by elected officials, city and county departments, businesses, and organizations in the community. Task 5 presents a framework for conducting a local risk assessment. Many approaches to developing a risk assessment are possible, depending on available data, technology, and resources. Local risk assessments do not require sophisticated technology, but should be accurate, current and relevant. Some communities may choose to address a broader range of threats and hazards, or tie their hazard identification and risk assessment to other planning initiatives. In our evaluation of 175 hazard mitigation plans, we identified the following best practices:

A map displaying locations in the planning area affected by each hazard
A table or map displaying the history of each hazard in the planning area
The integration of the potential impacts of climate change into the risk assessment
A section detailing potential technological and human caused hazards
Maps displaying areas vulnerable to hazards relative to identified socially vulnerable populations
Maps of major economic centers relative to areas vulnerable to identified hazards
Maps of critical facilities relative to areas vulnerable to identified hazards
Maps of future development relative to areas vulnerable to identified hazards
A table showing projected losses for different storm scenarios
A table showing projected losses for different development scenarios
Using a Priority Risk Index to quantify vulnerability

Social Vulnerability

Most hazard mitigation plans focus on physical vulnerability, that is, the risks hazards pose to structures such as houses, apartments, schools, hospitals and infrastructure. However, certain populations or groups are especially vulnerable to disasters due to age, poverty, socioeconomic status, disability or language barriers. Hazard mitigation plans should address both physical and social vulnerability. An assessment of social vulnerability recognizes that not everyone has the resources to prepare for, cope with, and recover from disasters. For more information, see our handbook, Community Based Vulnerability Assessment: A Guide to Engaging Communities in Understanding Social and Physical Vulnerability to Disasters.

Task 5 Conduct a Risk Assessment

Overview