THE HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING PROCESS

Throughout its history, New York City has faced many hazards. From the Great Fire of 1835, the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001,  the severe heat waves of 2006, the devastation of Hurricane Sandy in 2012, and two building collapses in 2014 and 2015, New York City has endured and recovered from a wide range of hazards. Each time, New York has rebounded more strongly.  It has reflected upon and become more informed about the risks and taken forward-looking actions to meet future challenges that protect its residents, buildings, infrastructure, and natural resources.

This web-based 2019 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) builds upon New York City’s continued effort to create a resilient city. It represents a new chapter in the City’s efforts to increase public awareness about the risks faced from a range of hazards and to help the City’s partners invest in mitigation now and in the future.

Prepared by the New York City Emergency Management Department (NYCEM) in collaboration with a multitude of government agencies, organizations, private sector partners, and subject-matter experts, this website:

  • Outlines key features of the city’s environment that makes it vulnerable
  • Assesses a wide range of hazards
  • Presents strategies for managing risks associated with each of these hazards

New York City will never be free from risk.  However, the city can become safer and more resilient in the future by alerting New Yorkers to potential hazards, encouraging them to be better informed and prepared, and identifying best practices that support long-term risk reduction strategies.

The planning process for the 2019 HMP was framed by these questions:

  1. Who is involved in New York City’s Hazard Mitigation Planning?
  2. How are the goals and objectives established?
  3. What is the process to develop this update?
  4. How will New York City’s plan be maintained over the long term?