Westwood has updated its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)!

FEMA defines hazard mitigation as:

A series of actions and policies designed to reduce and/or eliminate the impacts of naturally occurring disasters on people and property.

About the HMP Update

A hazard mitigation plan should be considered a living document that must grow and adapt, keeping pace with a community’s growth and change.  The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) places high priority on the continuation of the planning process after the initial submittal, requiring communities to seek and receive re-approval from FEMA in order to remain eligible for assistance.  The HMP Update process also aims to increase awareness and involvement in hazard mitigation as part of daily activities.

This Update replaces the existing 2011 Westwood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The approach for this Update was premised on four primary methods outlined in the requirements of the DMA 2000 Public Law 106-390, October 10, 2000:

• Planning Process—Outreach and Stakeholder Coordination
• Risk Assessment—Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses
• Mitigation Strategy— Identifying Mitigation Actions and Implementation Strategies
• Plan Maintenance—Implementation, Evaluation and Revision/Update

This plan is important because it helps the Town plan and receive funding for projects that reduce the risk of injury or property damage from natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes, and extreme heat, and from the impacts of climate change. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) places high priority on the continuation of the planning process after the initial submittal, requiring communities to seek and receive re-approval from FEMA every five years in order to remain eligible for assistance.

Public input was an essential part of the process, and we appreciated your input on how Westwood can reduce risk from natural hazards and build climate resilience!

We held a Hazardous Mitigation Plan Public Workshop on November 3rd, 2022, at 7 P.M., via Zoom.  A recording of that Public Workshop can be viewed here (use Passcode ULA&R6KX) :

November 3, 2022 Pubic Workshop

You can also review the adopted HMP here:

TOWN OF WESTOOD HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN
CERTIFICATE OF ADOPTION 

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