Hazard Mitigation

In the Spring of 2024, WMSRDC completed hazard mitigation plan updates for the West Michigan counties of Lake, Mason, and Oceana.

Lake County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Mason County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Oceana County Hazard Mitigation Plan

Hazard mitigation is any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future.

WMSRDC is active in hazard mitigation because virtually every aspect of community and regional planning can be impacted by a disaster. WMSRDC is dedicated to enhancing community resilience by studying known hazards, researching measures that can be taken to reduce or eliminate their effects, and enabling communities to take action.

WMSRDC’s background in hazard mitigation planning dates to the early 2000’s, following federal legislation that required communities to have hazard mitigation plans in place to receive certain types of Hazard Mitigation Assistance. Hazard mitigation plans created by WMSRDC are well-respected at state and federal levels and are consistently regarded as being some of the best in Michigan. WMSRDC also has experience developing Community Wildfire Protection Plans, which are complementary to Hazard Mitigation plans and are required for communities to access additional assistance from the State of Michigan for mitigation wildfires.