Hazard mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. It is most effective when implemented under a comprehensive, long-term mitigation plan. State, tribal, and local governments engage in hazard mitigation planning to identify risks and vulnerabilities associated with natural disasters and develop long-term strategies for protecting people and property from future hazard events. Mitigation plans are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.

Hazard Mitigation Overview

La Paz County is potentially vulnerable to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. These hazards can threaten the life and safety of residents, visitors and have the potential to damage or destroy both public and private property and disrupt the local economy and overall quality of life. While the threats from hazardous events may never be fully eliminated, there is much we can do to lessen their potential impact on our communities. By minimizing the damaging impacts of hazards upon our built environment, we can prevent such events from resulting in disasters. The concept and practice of reducing risks to people and property from known hazards is called hazard mitigation.

The general purpose of this plan Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) is:

• To protect life and property by reducing the potential for future damages and economic losses that result from known hazards;
• To qualify for additional grant funding, in both the pre-disaster and post-disaster environment;
• To speed recovery and redevelopment following future disaster events;
• To sustain and enhance existing governmental coordination throughout the County and demonstrate a firm local commitment to hazard mitigation principles; and;
• To comply with federal and state requirements for local hazard mitigation plans.

Please feel free to review that plan and provide us with your comments or questions.  Please send your comments or question to: Oemhmp@lapazcountyaz.org